Name	Ashoka Maurya
Title	Mauryan Samrat
Reign	274–232 BC
Coronation	270 BC
Othertitles	Samraat Chakravartin; other titles include ''Devanampriya'' and ''Priyadarsin''
Full name	Ashoka Bindusara Maurya
Religion	Hinduism, later on embraced Buddhism
Predecessor	Bindusara
Successor	Dasaratha Maurya
Queen	Maharani Devi
Spouse 1	Rani Tishyaraksha
Spouse 2	Rani Padmavati
Spouse 3	Rani Kaurwaki
Issue	Mahendra, Sanghamitra,Teevala, Kunala
Royal house	Mauryan dynasty
Father	Bindusara
Mother	Rani Dharma or Shubhadrangi
Brothers	Vitthashoka, Susima
Birth date	304 BC
Birth place	Pataliputra, Patna
Death date	232 BC (aged 72)
Death place	Pataliputra, Patna
Date of burial	Cremated 232 BC, less than 24 hours after death
Place of burial	Ashes immersed in the Ganges River, possibly at Varanasi
Influenced by	Buddha Chandragupta Maurya Bindusara Chanakya MahaviraAlexandar Seleucus I Nicator Diodotus I Antiochus I Soter
Influenced	Kunal Harsha Samudragupta Ramagupta Chandragupta II Kumaragupta Skandagupta Purugupta Vishnugupta }}

Ashok Maurya or Ashoka (Devanāgarī: अशोक, Bangla: অশোক, IAST: '''', , ca. 304–232 BC), popularly known as Ashoka the Great, was an Indian emperor of the Maurya Dynasty who ruled almost all of the Indian subcontinent from ca. 269 BC to 232 BC. One of India's greatest emperors, Ashoka reigned over most of present-day India after a number of military conquests. His empire stretched from present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan in the west, to the present-day Bangladesh and the Indian state of Assam in the east, and as far south as northern Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. He conquered the kingdom named Kalinga, which no one in his dynasty had conquered starting from Chandragupta Maurya. His reign was headquartered in Magadha (present-day Bihar, India). He embraced Buddhism from the prevalent Hindu tradition after witnessing the mass deaths of the war of Kalinga, which he himself had waged out of a desire for conquest. He was later dedicated to the propagation of Buddhism across Asia and established monuments marking several significant sites in the life of Gautama Buddha. Ashoka was a devotee of ahimsa (nonviolence), love, truth, tolerance and vegetarianism. Ashoka is remembered in history as a philanthropic administrator. In the history of India, Ashoka is referred to as ''Samraat Chakravartin Ashoka'' - the Emperor of Emperors ''Ashoka''.

His name "" means "painless, without sorrow" in Sanskrit (the ''a'' privativum and ''śoka'' "pain, distress"). In his edicts, he is referred to as '''' (Pali '''' or "The Beloved Of The Gods"), and '''' (Pali '''' or "He who regards everyone with affection").

Along with the Edicts of Ashoka, his legend is related in the later 2nd century '''' ("''Narrative of Asoka''") and '''' ("''Divine narrative''"), and in the Sri Lankan text ''Mahavamsa'' ("''Great Chronicle''").

Ashoka played a critical role in helping make Buddhism a world religion. As the peace-loving ruler of one of the world's largest, richest and most powerful multi-ethnic states, he is considered an exemplary ruler, who tried to put into practice a secular state ethic of non-violence. The emblem of the modern Republic of India is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka.

Biography

Early life

Ashoka was born to the Mauryan emperor Bindusāra and his queen, Dharmā [or Dhammā]. Ashokāvadāna states that his mother was a queen named Subhadrangī, the daughter of Champa of Telangana. Queen Subhadrangī was a Brahmin of the Ajivika sect. Sage Pilindavatsa (aias Janasana) was a kalupaga Brahmin of the Ajivika sect had found Subhadrangī as a suitable match for Emperor Bindusara. A palace intrigue kept her away from the king. This eventually ended, and she bore a son. It is from her exclamation "I am now without sorrow", that Ashoka got his name. The Divyāvadāna tells a similar story, but gives the name of the queen as Janapadakalyānī.

Ashoka had several elder siblings, all of whom were his half-brothers from other wives of Bindusāra.

He had been given the royal military training knowledge. He was a fearsome hunter, and according to a legend, he killed a lion with just a wooden rod. He was very adventurous and a trained fighter, who was known for his skills with the sword. Because of his reputation as a frightening warrior and a heartless general, he was sent to curb the riots in the Avanti province of the Mauryan empire.

Rise to power

The Divyavandana refers to Ashoka putting down a revolt due to activities of wicked ministers. This may have been an incident in Bindusara's times. Taranatha's account states that Chanakya, one of Bindusara's great lords, destroyed the nobles and kings of 16 towns and made himself the master of all territory between the eastern and the western seas. Some historians consider this as an indication of Bindusara's conquest of the Deccan while others consider it as suppression of a revolt. Following this Ashoka was stationed at Ujjayini as governor.

Bindusara's death in 273 BC led to a war over succession. According to Divyavandana, Bindusara wanted his son Sushim to succeed him but Ashoka was supported by his father's ministers. A minister named Radhagupta seems to have played an important role. One of the Ashokavandana states that Ashoka managed to become the king by getting rid of the legitimate heir to the throne, by tricking him into entering a pit filled with live coals. The Dipavansa and Mahavansa refer to Ashoka killing 99 of his brothers, sparing only one, named Tissa. Although there is no clear proof about this incident. The coronation happened in 269 BC, four years after his succession to the throne.

Early life as Emperor

Ashoka is said to have been of a wicked nature and bad temper. He was also known as vitasoka because of his cruelness and bad nature. He submitted his ministers to a test of loyalty and had 500 of them killed.

Ascending the throne, Ashoka expanded his empire over the next eight years, from the present-day boundaries and regions of Burma–Bangladesh and the state of Assam in India in the east to the territory of present-day Afghanistan in the west; from the Pamir Knots in the north almost to the peninsular of southern India (i.e. Tamil Nadu / Andhra Pradesh).

Conquest of Kalinga

While the early part of Ashoka's reign was apparently quite bloodthirsty, he became a follower of the Buddha's teaching after his conquest of Kalinga on the east coast of India in the present-day states of southern Orissa and north coastal Andhra Pradesh. Kalinga was a state that prided itself on its sovereignty and democracy. With its monarchical parliamentary democracy it was quite an exception in ancient Bharata where there existed the concept of Rajdharma. Rajdharma means the duty of the rulers, which was intrinsically entwined with the concept of bravery and Kshatriya dharma. The Kalinga War happened eight years after his coronation. From his 13th inscription, we come to know that the battle was a massive one and caused the deaths of more than 100,000 soldiers and many civilians who rose up in defense; over 150,000 were deported.. When he was walking through the grounds of Kalinga after his conquest, rejoicing in his victory, he was moved by the number of bodies strewn there and the wails of the kith and kin of the dead.

Buddhist conversion

As the legend goes, one day after the war was over, Ashoka ventured out to roam the city and all he could see were burnt houses and scattered corpses. This sight made him sick and he cried the famous monologue:

''What have I done? If this is a victory, what's a defeat then? Is this a victory or a defeat? Is this justice or injustice? Is it gallantry or a rout? Is it valor to kill innocent children and women? Do I do it to widen the empire and for prosperity or to destroy the other's kingdom and splendor? One has lost her husband, someone else a father, someone a child, someone an unborn infant.... What's this debris of the corpses? Are these marks of victory or defeat? Are these vultures, crows, eagles the messengers of death or evil? ''

The brutality of the conquest led him to adopt Buddhism, and he used his position to propagate the relatively new religion to new heights, as far as ancient Rome and Egypt. He made Buddhism his state religion around 260 BC, and propagated it and preached it within his domain and worldwide from about 250 BC. Emperor Ashoka undoubtedly has to be credited with the first serious attempt to develop a Buddhist policy.

Prominent in this cause were his son Venerable Mahindra and daughter Sanghamitra (whose name means "friend of the Sangha"), who established Buddhism in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). He built thousands of Stupas and Viharas for Buddhist followers. The Stupas of Sanchi are world famous and the stupa named Sanchi Stupa was built by Emperor Ashoka. During the remaining portion of Ashoka's reign, he pursued an official policy of nonviolence (ahimsa). Even the unnecessary slaughter or mutilation of animals was immediately abolished. Everyone became protected by the king's law against sport hunting and branding. Limited hunting was permitted for consumption reasons but Ashoka also promoted the concept of vegetarianism. Ashoka also showed mercy to those imprisoned, allowing them leave for the outside a day of the year. He attempted to raise the professional ambition of the common man by building universities for study, and water transit and irrigation systems for trade and agriculture. He treated his subjects as equals regardless of their religion, politics and caste. The kingdoms surrounding his, so easily overthrown, were instead made to be well-respected allies.

He is acclaimed for constructing hospitals for animals and renovating major roads throughout India. After this transformation, Ashoka came to be known as Dhammashoka (Sanskrit), meaning Ashoka, the follower of Dharma. Ashoka defined the main principles of dharma (dhamma) as nonviolence, tolerance of all sects and opinions, obedience to parents, respect for the Brahmans and other religious teachers and priests, liberality towards friends, humane treatment of servants, and generosity towards all. These principles suggest a general ethic of behaviour to which no religious or social group could object.

Some critics say that Ashoka was afraid of more wars, but among his neighbors, including the Seleucid Empire and the Greco-Bactrian kingdom established by Diodotus I, none could match his strength. He was a contemporary of both Antiochus I Soter and his successor Antiochus II Theos of the Seleucid dynasty as well as Diodotus I and his son Diodotus II of the Greco-Bactrian kingdom. If his inscriptions and edicts are well studied one finds that he was familiar with the Hellenic world but never edicts, which talk of friendly relations, give the names of both Antiochus of the Seleucid empire and Ptolemy III of Egypt. The fame of the Mauryan empire was widespread from the time that Ashoka's grandfather Chandragupta Maurya defeated Seleucus Nicator, the founder of the Seleucid Dynasty.

The source of much of our knowledge of Ashoka is the many inscriptions he had carved on pillars and rocks throughout the empire. All his inscriptions have the imperial touch and show compassionate loving. He addressed his people as his "children". These inscriptions promoted Buddhist morality and encouraged nonviolence and adherence to Dharma (duty or proper behavior), and they talk of his fame and conquered lands as well as the neighboring kingdoms holding up his might. One also gets some primary information about the Kalinga War and Ashoka's allies plus some useful knowledge on the civil administration. The Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath is the most popular of the relics left by Ashoka. Made of sandstone, this pillar records the visit of the emperor to Sarnath, in the 3rd century BC. It has a four-lion capital (four lions standing back to back) which was adopted as the emblem of the modern Indian republic. The lion symbolizes both Ashoka's imperial rule and the kingship of the Buddha. In translating these monuments, historians learn the bulk of what is assumed to have been true fact of the Mauryan Empire. It is difficult to determine whether or not some actual events ever happened, but the stone etchings clearly depict how Ashoka wanted to be thought of and remembered.

Ashoka's own words as known from his Edicts are: "All men are my children. I am like a father to them. As every father desires the good and the happiness of his children, I wish that all men should be happy always." Edward D'Cruz interprets the Ashokan dharma as a "religion to be used as a symbol of a new imperial unity and a cementing force to weld the diverse and heterogeneous elements of the empire".

Also, in the Edicts, Ashoka mentions Hellenistic kings of the period as converts to Buddhism, although no Hellenic historical record of this event remain:

Ashoka also claims that he encouraged the development of herbal medicine, for human and nonhuman animals, in their territories:

The Greeks in India even seem to have played an active role in the propagation of Buddhism, as some of the emissaries of Ashoka, such as Dharmaraksita, are described in Pali sources as leading Greek (Yona) Buddhist monks, active in spreading Buddhism (the Mahavamsa, XII).

Death and legacy

Ashoka ruled for an estimated forty years. After his death, the Mauryan dynasty lasted just fifty more years. Ashoka had many wives and children, but many of their names are lost to time. Mahindra and Sanghamitra were twins born by his first wife, Devi, in the city of Ujjain. He had entrusted to them the job of making his state religion, Buddhism, more popular across the known and the unknown world. Mahindra and Sanghamitra went into Sri Lanka and converted the King, the Queen and their people to Buddhism. They were naturally not handling state affairs after him.

In his old age, he seems to have come under the spell of his youngest wife Tishyaraksha. It is said that she had got his son Kunala, the regent in Takshashila, blinded by a wily stratagem. The official executioners spared Kunala and he became a wandering singer accompanied by his favourite wife Kanchanmala. In Pataliputra, Ashoka hears Kunala's song, and realizes that Kunala's misfortune may have been a punishment for some past sin of the emperor himself and condemns Tishyaraksha to death, restoring Kunala to the court. Kunala was succeeded by his son, Samprati, but his rule did not last long after Ashoka's death.

The reign of Ashoka Maurya could easily have disappeared into history as the ages passed by, and would have had he not left behind a record of his trials. The testimony of this wise king was discovered in the form of magnificently sculpted pillars and boulders with a variety of actions and teachings he wished to be published etched into the stone. What Ashoka left behind was the first written language in India since the ancient city of Harappa. The language used for inscription was the then current spoken form called Prakrit.

In the year 185 BC, about fifty years after Ashoka's death, the last Maurya ruler, Brhadrata, was assassinated by the commander-in-chief of the Mauryan armed forces, Pusyamitra Sunga, while he was taking the Guard of Honor of his forces. Pusyamitra Sunga founded the Sunga dynasty (185 BC-78 BC) and ruled just a fragmented part of the Mauryan Empire. Many of the northwestern territories of the Mauryan Empire (modern-day Afghanistan and Northern Pakistan) became the Indo-Greek Kingdom.

In 1992, Ashoka was ranked #53 on Michael H. Hart's list of the most influential figures in history. In 2001, a semi-fictionalized portrayal of Ashoka's life was produced as a motion picture under the title ''Asoka''. King Ashoka, the third monarch of the Indian Mauryan dynasty, has come to be regarded as one of the most exemplary rulers in world history. The British historian H.G. Wells has written: "Amidst the tens of thousands of names of monarchs that crowd the columns of history, their majesties and graciousnesses and serenities and royal highnesses and the like, the name of Asoka shines, and shines, almost alone, a star."

Buddhist Kingship

One of the more enduring legacies of Ashoka Maurya was the model that he provided for the relationship between Buddhism and the state. Throughout Theravada Southeastern Asia, the model of ruler ship embodied by Ashoka replaced the notion of divine kingship that had previously dominated (in the Angkor kingdom, for instance). Under this model of 'Buddhist kingship', the king sought to legitimize his rule not through descent from a divine source, but by supporting and earning the approval of the Buddhist ''sangha''. Following Ashoka's example, kings established monasteries, funded the construction of stupas, and supported the ordination of monks in their kingdom. Many rulers also took an active role in resolving disputes over the status and regulation of the sangha, as Ashoka had in calling a conclave to settle a number of contentious issues during his reign. This development ultimately lead to a close association in many Southeast Asian countries between the monarchy and the religious hierarchy, an association that can still be seen today in the state-supported Buddhism of Thailand and the traditional role of the Thai king as both a religious and secular leader. Ashoka also said that all his courtiers were true to their self and governed the people in a moral manner.

Historical sources

Western sources

Ashoka was almost forgotten by the historians of the early British India, but James Prinsep contributed in the revelation of historical sources. Another important historian was British archaeologist John Hubert Marshall who was director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India. His main interests were Sanchi and Sarnath besides Harappa and Mohenjodaro. Sir Alexander Cunningham, a British archaeologist and army engineer and often known as the father of the Archaeological Survey of India, unveiled heritage sites like the Bharhut Stupa, Sarnath, Sanchi, and the Mahabodhi Temple; thus, his contribution is recognizable in realms of historical sources. Mortimer Wheeler, a British archaeologist, also exposed Ashokan historical sources, especially the Taxila.

Eastern sources

Information about the life and reign of Ashoka primarily comes from a relatively small number of Buddhist sources. In particular, the Sanskrit ''Ashokavadana'' ('Story of Ashoka'), written in the 2nd century, and the two Pāli chronicles of Sri Lanka (the Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa) provide most of the currently known information about Ashoka. Additional information is contributed by the Edicts of Asoka, whose authorship was finally attributed to the Ashoka of Buddhist legend after the discovery of dynastic lists that gave the name used in the edicts (''Priyadarsi'' – 'favored by the Gods') as a title or additional name of Ashoka Mauriya. Architectural remains of his period have been found at Kumhrar, Patna, which include an 80-pillar hypostyle hall.

Edicts of Ashoka -The Edicts of Ashoka are a collection of 33 inscriptions on the Pillars of Ashoka, as well as boulders and cave walls, made by the Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan dynasty during his reign from 272 to 231 BC. These inscriptions are dispersed throughout the areas of modern-day Pakistan and India, and represent the first tangible evidence of Buddhism. The edicts describe in detail the first wide expansion of Buddhism through the sponsorship of one of the most powerful kings of Indian history.It give more information about Ashoka's proselytism, Moral precepts, Religious precepts, Social and animal welfare .

Ashokavadana - The Ashokavadana is a 2nd century CE text related to the legend of the Maurya Emperor Ashoka. The legend was translated into Chinese by Fa Hien in 300 CE.

Mahavamsa -The Mahavamsa ("Great Chronicle") is a historical poem written in the Pali language, of the kings of Sri Lanka. It covers the period from the coming of King Vijaya of Kalinga (ancient Orissa) in 543 BC to the reign of King Mahasena (334–361).As it often refers to the royal dynasties of India, the Mahavamsa is also valuable for historians who wish to date and relate contemporary royal dynasties in the Indian subcontinent. It is very important in dating the consecration of the Maurya emperor Ashoka.

Dipavamsa -The Dipavamsa, or "Deepavamsa", (i.e., Chronicle of the Island, in Pali) is the oldest historical record of Sri Lanka. The chronicle is believe to be compiled from Atthakatha and other sources around the 3–4th century, King Dhatusena (4th century CE) had ordered that the Dipavamsa be recited at the Mahinda (son to Ashoka) festival held annually in Anuradhapura.

The use of Buddhist sources in reconstructing the life of Ashoka has had a strong influence on perceptions of Ashoka, as well as the interpretations of his edicts. Building on traditional accounts, early scholars regarded Ashoka as a primarily Buddhist monarch who underwent a conversion to Buddhism and was actively engaged in sponsoring and supporting the Buddhist monastic institution. Some scholars have tended to question this assessment. The only source of information not attributable to Buddhist sources are the Ashokan edicts, and these do not explicitly state that Ashoka was a Buddhist. In his edicts, Ashoka expresses support for all the major religions of his time: Buddhism, Brahmanism, Jainism, and Ajivikaism, and his edicts addressed to the population at large (there are some addressed specifically to Buddhists; this is not the case for the other religions) generally focus on moral themes members of all the religions would accept.

However, there is strong evidence in the edicts alone that he was a Buddhist. In one edict he belittles rituals, and he banned Vedic animal sacrifices; these strongly suggest that he at least did not look to the Vedic tradition for guidance. Furthermore, there are many edicts expressed to Buddhists alone; in one, Ashoka declares himself to be an "upasaka", and in another he demonstrates a close familiarity with Buddhist texts. He erected rock pillars at Buddhist holy sites, but did not do so for the sites of other religions. He also used the word "dhamma" to refer to qualities of the heart that underlie moral action; this was an exclusively Buddhist use of the word. Finally, the ideals he promotes correspond to the first three steps of the Buddha's graduated discourse.

Contributions

Global spread of Buddhism

Ashoka, now a Buddhist emperor, believed that Buddhism is beneficial for all human beings as well as animals and plants, so he built 84,000 stupas, Sangharama, viharas, Chaitya, and residences for Buddhist monks all over South Asia and Central Asia. He gave donations to viharas and mathas. He sent his only daughter Sanghamitta and son Mahindra to spread Buddhism in Sri Lanka (ancient name Tamraparni). Ashoka also sent many prominent Buddhist monks (bhikshus) Sthaviras like Madhyamik Sthavira to modern Kashmir and Afghanistan; Maharaskshit Sthavira to Syria, Persia / Iran, Egypt, Greece, Italy and Turkey; Massim Sthavira to Nepal, Bhutan, China and Mongolia; Sohn Uttar Sthavira to modern Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar (old name Suvarnabhumi for Burma and Thailand), Thailand and Vietnam; Mahadhhamarakhhita stahvira to Maharashtra (old name Maharatthha); Maharakhhit Sthavira and Yavandhammarakhhita Sthavira to South India. Ashoka also invited Buddhists and non-Buddhists for religious conferences. Ashoka inspired the Buddhist monks to compose the sacred religious texts, and also gave all types of help to that end. Ashoka also helped to develop viharas (intellectual hubs) such as Nalanda and Taxila. Ashoka helped to construct Sanchi and Mahabodhi Temple. Ashoka never tried to harm or to destroy non-Buddhist religions, and indeed gave donations to non-Buddhists. As his reign continued his even-handedness was replaced with special inclination towards Buddhism. Ashoka helped and respected both Sramans (Buddhists monks) and Brahmins (Vedic monks). Ashoka also helped to organize the Third Buddhist council (c. 250 BC) at Pataliputra (today's Patna). It was conducted by the monk Moggaliputta-Tissa who was the spiritual teacher of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka.''

As administrator

Ashoka's military power was so strong that he was able to crush those empires that went to war against him. Still, he was on friendly terms with kingdoms in the South like Cholas, Pandya, Keralputra, the post Alexandrian empire, Tamraparni, and Suvarnabhumi who were strong enough to remain outside his empire and continued to profess Hinduism. According to his edicts we know that he provided humanitarian help including doctors, hospitals, inns, wells, medical herbs and engineers to his neighboring countries. In neighboring countries, Ashoka helped humans as well as animals. Ashoka also planted trees in his empire and his neighboring countries. Ashoka was perhaps the first emperor in human history to ban slavery, hunting, fishing and deforestation. Ashoka also banned the death sentence and asked the same for the neighboring countries. Ashoka commanded his people to serve the orders of their elders parents and religious monks (shramana and Brahmin). Ashoka also recommended his people study and respect all religions. According to Ashoka, to harm another's religion is a harm to one's own religion. Ashoka asserted his people to live with Dharmmacharana. Ashoka asked people to live with harmony, peace, love and tolerance. Ashoka called his people as his children, and they could call him when they need him. He also asked people to save money and not to spend for immoral causes. Ashoka also believed in dharmacharana (dhammacharana) and dharmavijaya (dhammavijaya). According to many European and Asian historians the age of Ashoka was the age of light and delightment. He was the first emperor in human history who has taught the lesson of unity, peace, equality and love. Ashoka's aim was not to expand the territories but the welfare of all of his subjects (sarvajansukhay). In his vast empire there was no evidence of recognizable mutiny or civil war. Ashoka was the true devotee of nonviolence, peace and love. This made him different from other emperors. Ashoka also helped Buddhism as well as religions like Jainism, Hinduism, Hellenic polytheism and Ajivikas. Ashoka was against any discrimination among humans. He helped students, the poor, orphans and the elderly with social, political and economic help. According to Ashoka, hatred gives birth to hatred and a feeling of love gives birth to love and mercy. According to him the happiness of people is the happiness of the ruler. His opinion was that the sword is not as powerful as love. Ashoka was also kind to prisoners, and respected animal life and tree life. Ashoka allowed females to be educated. He also permitted females to enter religious institutions. He allowed female Buddhist monastics such as Bhikkhuni. He combined in himself the complexity of a king and a simplicity of a buddhist monk. Because of these reasons he is known as the emperor of all ages and thus became a milestone in the History of the world.

Ashoka Chakra

The Ashoka Chakra (the wheel of Ashoka) is a depiction of the Dharmachakra or Dhammachakka in Pali, the Wheel of Dharma (Sanskrit: Chakra means wheel). The wheel has 24 spokes. The Ashoka Chakra has been widely inscribed on many relics of the Mauryan Emperor, most prominent among which is the Lion Capital of Sarnath and The Ashoka Pillar. The most visible use of the Ashoka Chakra today is at the centre of the National flag of the Republic of India (adopted on 22 July 1947), where it is rendered in a Navy-blue color on a White background, by replacing the symbol of Charkha (Spinning wheel) of the pre-independence versions of the flag. Ashoka Chakra can also been seen on the base of Lion Capital of Ashoka which has been adopted as the National Emblem of India.

The Ashoka chakra was built by Ashoka during his reign. Chakra is a Sanskrit word which also means cycle or self repeating process. The process it signifies is the cycle of time as how the world changes with time.

A few days before India became independent on August 1947, the specially constituted Constituent Assembly decided that the flag of India must be acceptable to all parties and communities. A flag with three colours, Saffron, White and Green with the Ashoka Chakra was selected.

Pillars of Ashoka (Ashokstambha)

The pillars of Ashoka are a series of columns dispersed throughout the northern Indian subcontinent, and erected by Ashoka during his reign in the 3rd century BC. Originally, there must have been many pillars of Ashoka although only ten with inscriptions still survive. Averaging between forty and fifty feet in height, and weighing up to fifty tons each, all the pillars were quarried at Chunar, just south of Varanasi and dragged, sometimes hundreds of miles, to where they were erected. The first Pillar of Ashoka was found in the 16th century by Thomas Coryat in the ruins of ancient Delhi. The wheel represents the sun time and Buddhist law, while the swastika stands for the cosmic dance around a fixed center and guards against evil. There is no evidence of a swastika, or manji, on the pillars.

Lion Capital of Asoka (Ashokmudra)

The Lion capital of Ashoka is a sculpture of four "Indian lions" standing back to back. It was originally placed atop the Aśoka pillar at Sarnath, now in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. The pillar, sometimes called the Aśoka Column is still in its original location, but the Lion Capital is now in the Sarnath Museum. This Lion Capital of Ashoka from Sarnath has been adopted as the National Emblem of India and the wheel "Ashoka Chakra" from its base was placed onto the center of the National Flag of India.

The capital contains four lions (Indian / Asiatic Lions), standing back to back, mounted on an abacus, with a frieze carrying sculptures in high relief of an elephant, a galloping horse, a bull, and a lion, separated by intervening spoked chariot-wheels over a bell-shaped lotus. Carved out of a single block of polished sandstone, the capital was believed to be crowned by a 'Wheel of Dharma' (Dharmachakra popularly known in India as the "Ashoka Chakra").

The Ashoka Lion capital or the Sarnath lion capital is also known as the national symbol of India. The Sarnath pillar bears one of the Edicts of Ashoka, an inscription against division within the Buddhist community, which reads, "No one shall cause division in the order of monks". The Sarnath pillar is a column surmounted by a capital, which consists of a canopy representing an inverted bell-shaped lotus flower, a short cylindrical abacus with four 24-spoked Dharma wheels with four animals (an elephant, a bull, a horse, a lion).

The four animals in the Sarnath capital are believed to symbolize different steps of Lord Buddha's life.

The Elephant represents the Buddha's idea in reference to the dream of Queen Maya of a white elephant entering her womb.

The Bull represents desire during the life of the Buddha as a prince.

The Horse represents Buddha's departure from palatial life.

The Lion represents the accomplishment of Buddha.

Besides the religious interpretations, there are some non-religious interpretations also about the symbolism of the Ashoka capital pillar at Sarnath. According to them, the four lions symbolize Ashoka's rule over the four directions, the wheels as symbols of his enlightened rule (Chakravartin) and the four animals as symbols of four adjoining territories of India.

Constructions credited to Ashoka

Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh, India

Dhamek Stupa, Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India

Mahabodhi Temple, Bihar, India

Barabar Caves, Bihar, India

Nalanda University (Vishwaviddyalaya), (some portions like Sariputta Stupa), Bihar, India

Taxila University (Vishwaviddyalaya), (some portions like Dharmarajika Stupa and Kunala Stupa), Taxila, Pakistan

Bhir Mound, (''reconstructed''), Taxila, Pakistan

Bharhut stupa, Madhya Pradesh, India

Deorkothar Stupa, Madhya Pradesh, India

Butkara Stupa, Swat, Pakistan

Ashoka today

In art, film and literature

One of the most famous figures in modern Hindi literature, Jaishankar Prasad, composed ''Ashoka ki chinta'' (in English: ''Anxiety of Ashoka''), a famous Hindi verse. The poem portrays Ashoka’s heart during the war of Kalinga.

''Uttar-Priyadarshi'' (The Final Beatitude) a verse-play written by poet Agyeya, depicting his redemption, was adapted to stage in 1996 by theatre director, Ratan Thiyam and has since been performed in many parts of the world.

In Piers Anthony’s series of space opera novels, the main character mentions Asoka as a model for administrators to strive for.

''Asoka'' is a 2001 epic Bollywood historical drama. It is a largely fictional version of the life of the Indian emperor Ashoka. The film was directed by Santosh Sivan and stars Shahrukh Khan as Ashoka and Kareena Kapoor as Kaurwaki, a princess of Kalinga.The film ends with Asoka renouncing the sword and embracing Buddhism. The final narrative describes how Asoka not only built a large empire, but spread Buddhism and the winds of peace through it.

Footnotes

See also

Arthashastra

Ashoka's Major Rock Edict

Ashokavadana

Edicts of Ashoka

Kalinga War

Lion Capital of Ashoka

Magadha

Maurya Empire

Sisupalgarh

Virodhi Himsa Adhyatma

References

Bongard-Levin, G. M. ''Mauryan India'' (Stosius Inc/Advent Books Division May 1986) ISBN 0-86590-826-5

Chauhan, Gian Chand (2004). ''Origin and Growth of Feudalism in Early India: From the Mauryas to AD 650.'' Munshiram Manoharlal, Delhi. ISBN 978-8121510288

Falk, Harry. ''Asokan Sites and Artefacts - A Source-book with Bibliography'' (Mainz : Philipp von Zabern, [2006]) ISBN 978-3-8053-3712-0

Gokhale, Balkrishna Govind (1996). ''Asoka Maurya'' (Twayne Publishers) ISBN 978-0829017359

Hultzsch, Eugene (1914). ''The Date of Asoka,'' The Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland (Oct., 1914), pp. 943-951. Article stable URL.

Keay, John. ''India: A History'' (Grove Press; 1 Grove Pr edition May 10, 2001) ISBN 0-8021-3797-0

Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta (1967). ''Age of the Nandas and Mauryas.'' Reprint: 1996, Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi. ISBN 978-8120804661

Swearer, Donald. ''Buddhism and Society in Southeast Asia'' (Chambersburg, Pennsylvania: Anima Books, 1981) ISBN 0-89012-023-4

Thapar, Romila. (1973). ''Aśoka and the decline of the Mauryas. 2nd Edition.'' Oxford University Press, Reprint, 1980. SBN 19-660379 6.

External links

International Vegetarian Union: King Asoka of India

{{S-ttl|title=Mauryan Emperor |years=272 BC – 232 BC}}

Category:Indian monarchs Category:Indian vegetarians Category:304 BC births Category:232 BC deaths Category:Mauryan dynasty Category:Converts to Buddhism Category:Indian Theravada Buddhists Category:People from Patna Category:Indian Buddhist missionaries Category:Ancient history of Pakistan Category:3rd-century BC rulers Category:Indian pacifists

kbd:Ашока

als:Ashoka ar:أشوكا an:Aśoka bn:মহামতি অশোক be:Ашока be-x-old:Ашока bs:Ašoka Veliki br:Aśoka bg:Ашока ca:Aixoka cs:Ašóka cy:Asoka da:Ashoka de:Ashoka et:Ašoka el:Ασόκα es:Aśoka eo:Aŝoko eu:Ashoka fa:آشوکا hif:Ashoka the Great fr:Ashoka gl:Aśoka gu:અશોક hak:Â-yuk-vòng ko:아소카 hy:Աշոկա Մեծ hi:अशोक hr:Ašoka Veliki bpy:সম্রাট অশোক id:Asoka is:Ashoka mikli it:Ashoka he:אשוקה jv:Asoka kn:ಸಾಮ್ರಾಟ್ ಅಶೋಕ ka:აშოკა sw:Ashoka la:Asoka lv:Ašoka lt:Ašoka hu:Asóka ml:അശോകചക്രവർത്തി mr:सम्राट अशोक ms:Asoka my:အသောကမင်း nl:Asoka ne:सम्राट अशोक ja:アショーカ王 no:Ashoka den store nn:Asjoka den store oc:Ashoka pnb:اشوک اعظم ps:اشوک pl:Aśoka pt:Asoka ro:Așoka ru:Ашока rue:Ашока sah:Ашока sa:अशोकः sq:Ashoka si:අශෝක අධිරාජයා simple:Ashoka the Great sk:Ašóka sl:Ašoka Veliki sr:Ашока sh:Ašoka fi:Ashoka sv:Ashoka ta:அசோகர் te:అశోకుడు th:พระเจ้าอโศกมหาราช tr:Büyük Asoka uk:Ашока ur:اشوک اعظم za:Ayuzvuengz vi:A-dục vương zh-classical:阿育王 war:Ashoka nga Harangdon bat-smg:Ašuoka zh:阿育王

name	Sameera Reddy
birth date	14 December
birth place	Rajamundry, Andra Pradesh, India
occupation	Film actress
yearsactive	2002-present
spouse(s)	}}

Sameera Reddy () is an Indian film actress.

Early life

Sameera Reddy was born on 14 December in Rajamundry, Andra Pradesh , India to a Telugu family. She has two sisters, Meghna Reddy and Sushma Reddy. She did her schooling at Bombay Scottish School in Mahim, Mumbai and graduated from Sydenham College.

Career

Sameera first appeared in the ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas's "Aur Aahista" music video when she was a graduate. She caught the attention of Bollywood and was cast in a pivotal role in the 2002 Hindi film ''Maine Dil Tujhko Diya''. In 2004, she appeared in ''Musafir''.

Apart from doing Bollywood movies, Reddy has also appeared in quite a few Telugu, Malayalam and Tamil films. She appeared in the Tamil film ''Vaaranam Aayiram'' directed by Gautham Menon, opposite Surya Sivakumar, which was a blockbuster. Reddy's acting and modest portrayal of a confident and down-to-earth girl earned her rave reviews.

Filmography

Ayesha Verma ''Darna Mana Hai'' ''Plan (film) Sam ''Narasimhudu'' Shailaja Chachi (Beach Girl) ''Taxi Number 9211'' Anjali Riya ''Fool and Final'' Rekha ''Race (2008 film) Laila Supriya Meghna ''De Dana Dan'' ''Aasal'' Meera Lakshmi Sita ''Nadunissi Naaygal'' Megha Aishwarya ''Vettai''

Year
2002	''Maine Dil Tujhko Diya''	|	Hindi
2003	|	Shruti	Hindi
rowspan="2"	2004	Plan'' ||	Sapna	Hindi
''Musafir (2004 film)	Musafir''	|	Hindi
rowspan="3">2005	|	Palakad Papa	Telugu
''Jai Chiranjeeva''	|	Telugu
''No Entry''	|	Hindi	Special Appearance
rowspan="3"	2006	|	Rupali	Hindi
''Ashok (film)	Ashok''	|	Telugu
''Naksha''	|	Hindi
rowspan="2"	2007	|	Payal	Hindi
''Ami, Yasin Ar Amar Madhubala''	|	Bengali language>Bengali
rowspan="4"	2008	Race'' ||	Mini	Hindi
''One Two Three (2008 film)	One Two Three''	|	Hindi
''Kalpurush''	|	Bengali
''Vaaranam Aayiram''	|	Tamil language>Tamil	Nominated, Vijay Award for Best Debut Actress
rowspan="1"	2009	|	Manpreet	Hindi
rowspan="5"	2010	|	Sarah	Tamil
''Oru Naal Varum''	|	Malayalam language>Malayalam
''Red Alert: The War Within''	|	Hindi
''Aakrosh (2010 film)	Aakrosh''	|	Hindi	Special Appearance
''Mahayoddha Rama''	|	Hindi
rowspan="5"	2011	|	Sukanya	Tamil
''Tezz''	|	Hindi	Releasing on 11 November, 2011
''Don 2: The Chase Continues''	|	Hindi	Filming
''Vedi''	|	Tamil	Filming
''Ooservelli (2011 film)	Ooservelli''	|	Telugu	Special Appearance
rowspan="2"	2012	|	Village Girl	Tamil	Filming

References

External links

Category:Indian actors Category:Indian film actors Category:Telugu cinema Category:Tamil film actors Category:Living people

gu:સમીરા રેડ્ડી ml:സമീര റെഡ്ഡി mr:समीरा रेड्डी pl:Sameera Reddy ta:சமீரா ரெட்டி

name	Ashok
birth date	October 13, 1911
birth place	Bhagalpur, Bengal Presidency, British India
death date	December 10, 2001
death place	Mumbai, Maharastra, India
occupation	Actor, Painter
religion	Hindu
birth name	Kumudlal Kunjilal Ganguly
other names	Sanjay Ashok Kumar
years active	1936–1997 }}

Ashok Kumar (; 13 October 1911 – 10 December 2001) was an Indian film actor. Born Kumudlal Ganguly (Bengali: কুমুদলাল গাঙ্গুলী) in Bhagalpur, Bengal Presidency he attained iconic status in Indian cinema. He broke from the theatrical style then common in Indian film towards a more naturalistic method. Given his versatility and proven brilliance over five decades, he is considered by many to be one of the finest ever Indian actors. The Government of India honoured him with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1988 and the Padma Bhushan in 1998 for his contributions towards Indian cinema.

Family

His father Kunjalal Ganguly was a lawyer and his mother Gouri Devi came from a wealthy Bengali family. His family was based in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh. His brothers Anoop Kumar and Kishore Kumar also acted in films. Three brothers worked together in the comedies ''Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi'', ''Badhti Ka Naam Dadhi'' and ''Chalti Ka Naam Zindagi''. Ashok, though the eldest of the three by quite a margin, survived them both. In fact, he stopped celebrating his birthday after the youngest brother, Kishore, died on that day in 1987. His sister, Sati Devi, was married to Sashadhar Mukherjee of the Mukherjee-Samarth family.

Ashok Kumar married Shobha. They had a troubled marriage due to his wife being an alcoholic.

Early career

Reverently called ''Dadamoni'' (affectionate term for elder brother), he was born in Bhagalpur and educated at Presidency College of the University of Calcutta (now Presidency University, Kolkata). He started his career in Bombay (Mumbai), albeit accidentally, with the Bombay Talkies production ''Jeevan Naiya'' in 1936. The male lead, Najam-ul-Hussain, went absconding with the heroine Devika Rani, the director's wife who returned later on. The director and studio head, Himanshu Rai, in retaliation dismissed the hero and called upon his laboratory assistant Ashok Kumar to take the part and thus began a six-decade-long acting career. However, it was his subsequent venture with Devika Rani in Achhut Kanya in the same year that set him up for the big league. The movie itself stands out as one of the heralding social dramas of pre-independence Indian film. It was the story of a Brahmin boy falling in love with a girl from the so-called untouchables in Indian society. It was a big hit and started the trend of socially committed films.

Devika Rani and Ashok Kumar did a string of films after this including ''Izzat'' (1937), ''Savitri'' (1937) and ''Nirmala'' (1938). But she was the bigger star and Ashok Kumar was definitely in her shadow. He came into his own with three films opposite Leela Chitnis: ''KanGan'' (1939), ''Bandhan'' (1940), ''Jhoola'' (1941), singing his own songs as was the custom then. He acquitted himself creditably and came away with several hits including most famously ''Main Ban ka Panchhi''.

Traditional theatrical acting style had developed his own more natural style. He was also not afraid to take risks and was one of the first anti-heroes of Indian Cinema with his role in ''Kismet'' in 1943. This movie went on to create a record for the highest grossing film in India at the time of its release.

He produced several films for Bombay Talkies during the final years of the company including the famous ''Mahal'' in 1949 in which he co-starred with Madhubala. In the 1950s, he played the suave cigarette-smoking criminal or police officer in several films of what was the Indian film-noir movement. In the late 1960s he switched to character roles playing the parent, grandparent, dirty old man and suave criminal, being careful never to be typecast. He paired up 20 times with the popularly known as 'queen of tragedy' ''Meena Kumari'', in films such as ''Parineeta'', ''Bahu Begum'', ''Pakeezah'', ''Ek Hi Raasta'', ''Bandish'', ''Aarti'' and more.

Later career and death

He acted in fewer films in the 1980s and 1990s and occasionally appeared on television, most famously anchoring the first Indian soap opera ''Hum Log'' and appearing as the title character in the unforgettable Bahadur Shah Zafar. His last film role was in ''Aankhon Mein Tum Ho'' in 1997. Besides acting, he was an avid painter and a practitioner of homeopathy. Altogether, he starred in over 275 films. He has done more than 30 Bengali dramas in Dhakuria.

Ashok Kumar died at the age of 90 in Mumbai on 10 December 2001 of heart failure at his residence in central Mumbai suburbs of Chembur. The then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee described him as "an inspiration... for many generations of aspiring actors." .

Awards and recognition

1959 - Sangeet Natak Akademi Award

1962 - Filmfare Best Actor Award, ''Rakhi''

1963 - Bengal Film Journalists' Association - Best Actor Award (Hindi), ''Gumrah''

1966 - Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award, ''Afsana''

1969 - Filmfare Best Actor Award, ''Aashirwaad''

1969 - National Film Awards for Best Actor, ''Aashirwaad''

1969 - Bengal Film Journalists' Association - Best Actor Award (Hindi), ''Aashirwaad''

1988 - Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest award for cinematic excellence

1994 - Star Screen Lifetime Achievement Award

1995 - Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award

1998 - Padma Bhushan

2001 - Awadh Samman by the Government of Uttar Pradesh

2007 - "Special Award" by Star Screen Awards

Filmography

Some of his most remembered films include:

''Achhut Kanya'' (1936)

''Kismet'' (1943)

''Parineeta'' (1953)

''Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi'' (1958)

''Aashirwad'' (1968)

''Khoobsurat'' (1980)

''Khatta Meetha'' (1981)

''Mr. India'' (1987)

References

External links

A Good article by Anuradha Choudhary

Complete list of Ashok Kumar Movies (over 250)

Category:1911 births Category:2001 deaths Category:Indian film actors Category:Hindi film actors Kumar, Ashok Kumar, Ashok Kumar, Ashok Category:People from Bhagalpur Category:People from Khandwa Kumar, Ashok Category:Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award Category:National Film Award winners Category:Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipients Category:Recipients of the Padma Bhushan Category:People from Mumbai Category:Indian actors

de:Ashok Kumar (Schauspieler) hi:अशोक कुमार (अभिनेता) ml:അശോക് കുമാർ (ചലച്ചിത്രനടൻ) mr:अशोक कुमार gu:અશોક કુમાર

Ashok Masti is a Bhangra musician based in Delhi. He is known for creating new arrangements for traditional songs. Some of Masti's songs can be found on ''Bhangra: Original Punjabi Pop'' (2003).

His latest hit song "Clap to the beat" has become famous throughout India. He is also a contestant of reality show Bigg Toss.

External links

Ashok Mastie Albums

Category:Indian musicians Category:Bhangra Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Living people

he bolongs to distt. ferozpur punjab j

name	Vinod Mehra
birth date	February 13, 1945
death date	October 30, 1990Mumbai, India
birth place	Amritsar, India
yearsactive	1958–1960, 1971–1990
occupation	Actor, Producer, Director
spouse	Meena Broca (divorced)Bindiya Goswami (divorced)Kiran (married till his death)
children	Soniya Mehra and Rohan Mehra }}

Vinod Mehra () (13 February 1945 – 30 October 1990) was an Indian actor in Bollywood films. He started out as a child actor in a few films in the late 1950s and early 1960s before starting his adult film career in 1971 acting in over 100 films throughout the 1970s through to the 1990s. He was also the producer and director of the film ''Gurudev'' which was released after his death at the age of 45 in 1990.

Career

Mehra made his debut in the 1958 film ''Raagni'' as a child artist playing the younger version of the character played by Kishore Kumar. After playing a few more minor roles as a child, he started his film career as an adult in 1971 with ''Ek Thi Rita'', a smash hit based on the English play, 'A Girl Called Rita', along with Tanuja.

This was followed by the film "Parday Ke Peechhay" opposite debutant Yogeeta Bali followed by ''Elaan'' (with Rekha), ''Amar Prem'' (1972) and ''Lal Patthar'', though it was only Shakti Samanta's ''Anuraag'' (1972) with Maushmi Chatterjee, which established him as an actor. He went on to appear in over 100 films in his career spanning over two decades. He played the lead role in some of his earlier films but often acted in many multi-starrers as the secondary lead or played supporting roles such as a brother, friend, uncle, father and police officer. He worked with many actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, Rajesh Khanna and Dharmendra. His frequent female co-stars included Rekha, Maushmi Chatterjee, Yogeeta Bali, Shabana Azmi and Bindiya Goswami.

Some of his prominent films were ''Nagin'', ''Jaani Dushman'' and ''Khud-Daar''. He received Filmfare Nominations as Best Supporting Actor for ''Anurodh'' (1977), ''Amardeep'' (1979), and ''Bemisal'' (1982).

He turned producer and director with the film ''Gurudev'' in the late 1980s, with Sridevi, Rishi Kapoor and Anil Kapoor in the lead. He died of a heart attack before completion of the film at the age of 45 in October 1990. The film was released in 1993 after director Raj Sippy completed the film.

Many of his delayed films were released after his death and dedicated to his memory. Some films, such as ''Insaniyat'' (1994) and ''Aurat Aurat Aurat'' (1996), were delayed and re-written so as not to involve his character.

Personal life and family

Vinod Mehra was born in Amritsar, India in 1945. He was married three times. His first marriage to Meena Broca was arranged by his mother. The marriage was reportedly not consummated as Vinod had a heart attack shortly after the marriage. Once he recovered, he married his frequent leading lady Bindiya Goswami while still married to Meena. Meena left him and returned to her parents' house. His marriage to Bindiya also quickly dissolved, and she soon married director J. P. Dutta.

He was said to be married to superstar Rekha, although in a 2004 television interview with Simi Garewal, she denied being married to him, referring to him as a "well-wisher." His last marriage, to Kiran, lasted until his death. The couple had two children: Soniya (born in 1988) and Rohan. After their father's death, Soniya and Rohan were brought up in Kenya. Soniya went to London for further education. She made her film debut in ''Victoria No. 203'' which is a remake of the 1972 classic of the same name.

Selected filmography

Actor

''Raagni'' (1958) .... Young Rajan

''Bewaqoof'' (1960) ... Young Kishore Kumar

''Angulimala'' (1960) .... Young Ahinshak

''Ek Thi Rita'' (1971)

''Lal Patthar'' (1971) .... Shekhar

''Amar Prem'' (1972) .... Nandu

''Raftaar''.. (1972)

''Anuraag'' (1972) .... Rajesh

''Hawas'' (1974) .... Dr Bali

''Kunwara Baap'' (1974) .... Special appearance

''Vardaan'' (1975)

''Zindagi'' (1976) -- Ajay, Seema's friend

''Arjun Pandit'' (1976)

''Ginny Aur Johnny'' (1976)

''Nagin'' (1976) .... Rajesh

''Sabse Bada Rupaiya'' (1976) .... Amit Rai

''Anurodh'' (1977) .... Shrikanth

''Ghar'' (1978) .... Vikas Chandra

''Swarg Narak'' (1978) .... Vinod

''Saajan Bina Suhagan'' (1978)

''Aakhri Kasam'' (1979) .... Inspector Ram

''Amar Deep'' (1979) - Kishan

''Jaani Dushman'' (1979) .... Madman

''Jurmana'' (1979) - Prem Prakash

''Kartavya'' (1979) .... Dushyant

''Pyaara Dushman'' (1980)

''The Burning Train'' (1980) .... Rakesh

''Pyaasa Sawan'' (1981) .... Monorama's father

''Khud-Daar'' (1982) .... Raja

''Bemisal'' (1982) .... Dr. Prashant Chautervedi

''Naukar Biwi Ka'' (1983) ..... Inspector Amar Nath

''Sweekar Kiya Maine''(1983)....Kailash Shukla

''Bindiya Chamkegi'' (1984) .... Shyam

''Aap Ke Saath'' (1986) .... Ashok

''Pyar Ki Jeet'' (1987) .... Anand

''Aag Hi Aag'' (1987) .... Raghuveer Singh

''Patthar Ke Phool'' (1991) .... Inspector Vijay Verma

''Insaniyat'' (1994) .... Nandu

''Aurat Aurat Aurat'' (1996) .... Vijay

Producer & Director

''Gurudev'' (1993)

References

External links

Category:Indian film actors Category:Hindi film actors Category:Indian actors Category:Hindi-language film directors Category:1945 births Category:1990 deaths Category:People from Amritsar

mr:विनोद मेहरा