Final answer:
The correct answer is option A) Ashoka.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ruler of the Mauryan Empire during the Kalinga War was Ashoka. He took the throne in approximately 268 BCE and led the vast Mauryan army into the brutal conflict against the kingdom of Kalinga. The enormous loss of life caused by this war deeply affected Ashoka, leading to a profound transformation. After the Kalinga War, Ashoka embraced Buddhism and shifted his focus to peace and the welfare of his subjects.
He is well-known for his efforts to spread Buddhism both within his empire and to neighboring regions, such as Burma and Sri Lanka, as well as for establishing a law code that protected the vulnerable, creating hospitals and schools, and improving the infrastructure of his realm.