Synopses & Reviews
Through his third century BCE quest to govern the Indian subcontinent by moral force alone, Ashoka transformed Buddhism from a minor sect into a major world religion. His bold experiment ended in tragedy, and in the tumult that followed the historical record was cleansed so effectively that his name was largely forgotten for almost two thousand years. Yet, a few mysterious stone monuments and inscriptions miraculously survived the purge. In Ashoka: The Search for India's Lost Emperor, historian Charles Allen tells the incredible story of how a few enterprising archaeologists deciphered the mysterious lettering on keystones and recovered India's ancient past. Drawing from rich sources, Allen crafts a clearer picture of this enigmatic figure than ever before.
Review
"A fitting testament to a forgotten epic of discovery... All who relish India's antiquity should read this book." - John Keay, author of India: A History
Synopsis
Ashoka Maurya--or Ashoka the Great as he was later known--holds a special place in the history of India.
About the Author
Charles Allen is the author of many distinguished books about India and the colonial experience, including Plain Tales from the Raj, Kipling Sahib, and The Buddha and Dr. Fuhrer. A traveller, historian, and master storyteller, he is one of the great chroniclers of India.