Question

Because this ruler’s name does not appear in many important texts, Christopher Beckwith controversially argued that a title translated as “He who regards others with kindness” likely refers to this ruler’s father. This ruler apocryphally burned 500 of his concubines alive after they cut down a namesake tree. The travelers Fǎxiǎn (“fa-sh’yen”) and Xuánzàng (-5[1])(“shwen-dzong”) both visited the site of a legendary torture chamber created (10[1])by this ruler (10[1])dubbed his namesake “Hell.” (10[1])This ruler planted banyan trees and mango groves (10[1])along roads like the Grand Trunk Road as part of his dhamma policy. This ruler referred to himself as the “beloved of the gods.” This ruler, who won the Kalinga War, (10[1])inscribed edicts on stone pillars throughout his empire. For (10[1])10 points, name this “great” Mauryan emperor who converted to Buddhism. ■END■

ANSWER: Ashoka the Great [or Asoka; accept Ashoka’s Hell; accept Priyadasi]
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