From my favorite wikipedia :p
Ashoka , Prakrit Imperial title: Devanampriya Priyadarsi, "He who
is the beloved of the Gods and who regards everyone amiably") (304
BCE 232 BCE) was an Indian emperor, of the Maurya Dynasty who
ruled from from 273 BCE to 232 BCE. Often cited as one of India's
greatest emperors, Ashoka reigned over most of present-day India
after number of military conquests. His empire stretched from
present-day Afghanistan and parts of Persia in the west, to
present-day Bengal and Assam states of India in the east, and as
far south as Mysore state. His reign was headquartered in Magadha
(present-day Bihar state of India). He embraced Buddhism from the
prevalent Vedic tradition after witnessing the mass deaths of the
war of Kalinga, which he himself had waged. He was later dedicated
in the propagation of Buddhism across Asia and established
monuments marking several significant sites in the life of Gautama
Buddha.
His name "aśoka" means "without sorrow" in Sanskrit. In his edicts,
he is referred to as "The Beloved Of The Gods" or "He who regards
everyone amiably".
Read more here >> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashoka
