The Early History of India, from 600 B.C. to the Muhammadan Conquest, including the Invasion of Alexander the Great c24.4

c24.4

| YEAR B. C. | EVENTS. |
| **256** . . . . | Publication of complete series of Fourteen Rock Edicts, and of the Kalinga Borderers’ Edict by Asoka, who appointed Censors of the Law of Piety (*dharmamahāmātrāḥ*). |
| **255** . . . . | Asoka enlarged for the second time the *stūpa* of Konākamana Buddha near Kapilavastu. |
| **? 254** . . . | Publication by Asoka of the Kaliṅga Provincial’s Edict. |
| **250** . . . . | Dedication by Asoka of a third cave-dwelling at Barābar for the use of the Ājīvikas. |
| **249** . . . . | Pilgrimage of Asoka to Buddhist holy places ; erection of pillars at Lumbinī Garden and near a *stūpa* of Konākamana ; (?) his visit to Nepāl, and foundation of Lalita Pātan ; his daughter Chārumatī becomes a nun. |
| **? 248** . . . | Declaration of independence by Bactria and Parthia. |
| **247** . . . . | Ptolemy Philadelphos, king of Egypt, died. |
| **247 or 246** . | Antiochos Theos, king of Syria, grandson of Seleukos Nikator, died. |
| **243** . . . . | Composition by Asoka of Pillar Edict VI, confirming the Rock Edicts. |
| **242** . . . . | Publication by Asoka of complete series of Seven Pillar Edicts. |
| **242 or 239** . | Antigonos Gonatas, king of Macedonia, died. |
| **241** . . . . | Close of First Punic War ; rise of the kingdom of Pergamum. |
| **? 240–232** . | Minor Pillar Edicts of Asoka. |
| **232** . . . . | **Asoka died : Dasartha (Kuśāla, *Vāyu P.*) acc., and dedicated Nāgārjunī caves to the Ājīvikas ; break-up of Maurya empire began.** |
| **? 224** . . . | Saṅgata Maurya, king (Bandhupālita, *Vāyu P.*). |
| **? 216** . . . | Sāliśūka Maurya, king (Indrapālita, *Vāyu P.*) ; ? defeated by Khāravēla of Orissa. |
| **? 206** . . . | Somaśarman Maurya, king (Daśavarman, or Devavarman, *Vāyu P.*). |
| **? 199** . . . | Śatadhanwan Maurya, king (Śatadhanus, *Vāyu P.*) |
| **? 191** . . . | Bṛihadratha Maurya, king (Bṛijadaśva, *Vāyu P.*).¹ |
| **185** . . . . | **Pushyamitra Śuṅga, acc., having slain Bṛihadratha ; final destruction of Maurya Empire.** |