Final answer:
Ashoka unified the Mauryan Empire and spread Buddhist values through a conversion to Buddhism after the Kalinga war, launching widespread reforms that were aligned with Buddhist principles, and erecting the Pillars of Ashoka to publicize his edicts and moral teachings.
Step-by-step explanation:
Emperor Ashoka played a pivotal role in unifying the Mauryan Empire and promoting the spread of Buddhist values. After witnessing the horrors of the Kalinga war and confronting the destruction that his conquests caused, Ashoka experienced a profound transformation, converting to Buddhism. Subsequent to his conversion, he took a path of peace and non-violence, aligning his rule with Buddhist principles.
Ashoka implemented several reforms that reflected his adherence to Buddhist values, such as showing compassion towards the vulnerable by establishing protections for the poor, sick, and travelers. His efforts also included the construction of hospitals, wells, rest-houses along roads, and the dispatching of traveling magistrates to administer justice. Furthermore, Ashoka commissioned the Pillars of Ashoka, stone inscriptions that articulated his policies and edicts, spreading Buddhist doctrine and establishing moral codes throughout his empire.
His legacy extends beyond India, influencing the cultural and spiritual landscape of regions like Sri Lanka and informing the establishment of subsequent empires. Ashoka's humanitarian efforts and his use of architecture and art to promote Buddhism and his own administration exemplify his unique approach to rule, characterized by benevolence and spirituality rather than merely authoritarian power.