Ashoka the Great vs Xu Da

Ashoka’s path to power was violent and contested. After his father Bindusara’s death, he fought a bloody war of succession against his brothers, emerging victorious after several years. He was officially crowned around 270 BCE. Initially, Ashoka continued the expansionist policies of his predecessors, waging wars of conquest to expand the Mauryan Empire. His most significant military campaign was the Kalinga War (c. 261 BCE), which resulted in massive casualties and devastation. The horror of the war became a turning point in his life, leading him to embrace Buddhism and renounce military conquest. After his conversion, Ashoka dedicated his reign to spreading the Buddha’s teachings, erecting edicts throughout his empire, and promoting dharma (righteousness). He convened the Third Buddhist Council to purify the sangha and sent missionaries to Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, and even to Hellenistic kingdoms. His rise from a conquering emperor to a benevolent, spiritual leader is unparalleled in history. Xu Da’s rise was tied to the Ming Dynasty’s founding. He joined Zhu Yuanzhang’s forces as a common soldier but quickly distinguished himself in battle. Xu Da played a crucial role in the capture of Nanjing in 1356, which became the Ming capital. He then led campaigns against rival rebel leaders and the Mongols, steadily expanding Zhu’s territory. In 1368, Xu Da captured Dadu (Beijing), the Yuan capital, which marked the official end of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. He was appointed Grand Preceptor and became one of the most powerful officials in the new Ming court. Xu Da’s loyalty to Zhu Yuanzhang never wavered, and he avoided the political intrigue that plagued other generals, which allowed him to die of natural causes rather than execution—a rare fate for a Ming general. His rise from peasant to imperial commander is a testament to his skill and the meritocratic opportunities of the rebellion.

Ashoka’s greatest triumph was his transformation after the Kalinga War. The war itself was a tragedy: over 100,000 killed and 150,000 deported. But from this horror, Ashoka emerged as a proponent of peace. He spread Buddhism across Asia, built stupas, and erected edicts that survive today as historical records. His reign saw the Mauryan Empire reach its territorial zenith, but his focus on non-violence may have inadvertently contributed to the empire’s decline, as later rulers could not maintain the military strength needed to repel invasions. Ashoka’s personal tragedy was the loss of his wife, Devi, who was a Buddhist but was not allowed to become empress. His later years were marked by illness and possibly a loss of influence, as his sons struggled to maintain unity. The empire fragmented within 50 years of his death. Xu Da’s triumphs were military: capturing Dadu, defeating the Mongols, and securing the Ming Dynasty’s borders. His greatest victory was the capture of the Yuan capital in 1368, which effectively ended Mongol rule in China. However, his life ended in tragedy: he died in 1385 under mysterious circumstances, possibly due to illness, but rumors persisted that the Hongwu Emperor, paranoid about powerful generals, may have ordered his death. Xu Da’s tragedy was that despite his loyalty, he could not escape the deadly politics of the Ming court. His death marked the end of an era, as the emperor later purged many other generals, leaving the Ming military weakened. Xu Da’s personal tragedy was the loss of his life at a time when his skills were still needed to defend the empire.

Ashoka’s legacy is monumental. He is credited with spreading Buddhism from India to the rest of Asia, and his edicts provide invaluable insights into ancient Indian society and governance. His symbol, the Lion Capital of Ashoka, is the national emblem of India, and the Ashoka Chakra appears on the Indian flag. He is revered as a model of benevolent rule and is often compared to other enlightened rulers like Marcus Aurelius. However, his legacy is also complex: his non-violent policies may have weakened the Mauryan Empire, leading to its collapse. Nevertheless, his impact on world history is profound, as he helped transform Buddhism into a major world religion. Xu Da’s legacy is primarily within Chinese history. He is celebrated as one of the founding generals of the Ming Dynasty, and his military campaigns are studied for their strategic brilliance. He is remembered as a loyal and capable commander who helped restore Han Chinese rule after nearly a century of Mongol domination. Xu Da’s legacy is also seen in the stability he helped bring to China, allowing the Ming Dynasty to flourish for nearly 300 years. However, outside of China, his name is less known. His contributions are overshadowed by the larger-than-life figure of the Hongwu Emperor, and his death remains a cautionary tale about the dangers of court politics.