Ashoka the Great

Ashoka the Great is a translated biographical novel about the legendary Indian emperor Ashoka, originally written as a Dutch trilogy by Wytze Keuning between 1937-1947. The English version, translated by J.E. Steur, combines all three books into a single volume. The narrative follows young prince Ashoka's journey from his early days as a warrior prince to his rise in power within the Mauryan Empire. The story captures the political tensions between Ashoka, his father Emperor Bindusara, and the influential Brahmin Council, as well as the prince's experiences governing the province of Taxila. The book depicts the complex power dynamics of ancient India, including the role of religious authorities, court intrigue, and the challenges of maintaining peace across a vast empire. Ashoka's relationship with his wife Asandhamitra and his spiritual journey form key elements of the story. This historical novel explores themes of power, spirituality, and personal transformation against the backdrop of India's classical age. The work combines documented history with imaginative storytelling to create a portrait of one of India's most significant rulers.

Readers note this book provides a fictionalized but historically-rooted account of Emperor Ashoka's life through detailed storytelling. Readers appreciated: - Rich cultural and historical details about ancient India - The portrayal of Ashoka's transformation from warrior to Buddhist leader - Engaging narrative style that makes history accessible - Focus on both political and personal aspects of Ashoka's life Common criticisms: - Some passages feel slow-paced - Occasional difficulty following multiple character storylines - The English translation has some awkward phrasing Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (324 ratings) Amazon India: 4.3/5 (89 ratings) Sample review: "Provides incredible insight into ancient Indian culture and Buddhism while telling an epic story. The level of research is impressive." - Goodreads reviewer Another reader notes: "Translation could be better but the core story and historical elements make it worth reading despite occasional clunky language." - Amazon reviewer

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🔸 The book was originally written in Dutch and published in three volumes between 1937-1938, before being translated into English decades later. 🔸 Ashoka was the third ruler of the Mauryan Empire and controlled the largest empire ever in the Indian subcontinent, spanning from present-day Afghanistan to Bangladesh. 🔸 Author Wytze Keuning was a Dutch schoolteacher who never visited India but conducted extensive research through British colonial archives and Buddhist texts to write this detailed account. 🔸 After conquering Kalinga in a bloody war that killed over 100,000 people, Ashoka was so horrified by the violence that he converted to Buddhism and renounced warfare. 🔸 The lion capital of Ashoka, which appears in the book's historical context, is now the national emblem of India and appears on all Indian currency.