clipped from: www.environmentalgraffiti.com   

Our first post covered King Edward I’s decision to ban coal burning in 1306. We’re now travelling 1500 years backwards and halfway across planet Earth to look at the environmental issues and ideas of another famous king.

King Ashoka (also known as Ashoka the Great and Priyadarsi) ruled over the Maurya Dynasty of India from 273 to 232 B.C. He is one of the most legendary kings in Indian history, and presided over a massive empire that included most of the present day country of India, plus parts of modern day Iran and Afghanistan.

Ashoka also had some very progressive environmental policies, mostly to do with wildlife and the treatment of animals. The emperor’s policies were heavily influenced by his conversion to Buddhism. Ashoka converted after touring the site of a battle his army had fought. The site of vultures feasting and fighting over the bodies of thousands of dead sickened him. He soon adopted Buddhism and devoted himself to a peaceful life