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Which religion did Ashoka adopt after the Kalinga War?
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Odisha
Jagannatha temple, Puri, Odisha, India.
Following his brutal conquest of the Kalinga region (modern-day Odisha state), the Mauryan emperor Ashoka was moved by the immense suffering he had caused and renounced armed conquest.123
Deeply remorseful, he adopted Buddhism and committed himself to the principles of dharma—a moral path emphasizing nonviolence, compassion, and tolerance. Ashoka subsequently promoted these values throughout his empire, recording his teachings on rock edicts and pillars to guide his subjects toward a life of peace and ethical conduct.142