The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c29.39

v1.c29.39

274 b.c. at latest: accession. 270 b.c. at latest: coronation. 262 b.c. at latest: conquest of Kaliṅga and adhesion to Buddhism. 260 b.c. at latest: entry into the order of monks and beginning of active propaganda. 259 b.c. at latest: issue of first Edict (that of Sahasrām, Rūpnāth, Bairāt and Brahmagiri). 258–7 b.c. at latest: issue of the fourteen Rock Edicts; dedication of cave dwellings in the Barābar hills. 256 b.c. at latest: visit to Kapilavastu. 253 b.c.?: Council of Pāṭaliputra. 250 b.c. at latest: second visit to Kapilavastu and visit to the Lumbinī garden. 243–2 b.c. at latest: issue of Pillar Edicts. 237–6 b.c.?: death of Açoka (on the assumption that the reign lasted 36 or 37 years, as the Purāṇas and Pāli books affirm).