Ashoka was a great king, but took many kingdoms by force. But, when he went to take over Kalinga...
Welcome home from battle, Your Majesty!
He won the battle, but Ashoka felt great remorse because there was over 100,000 deaths.
On Ashoka's way back to his kingdom, he saw a Buddhist Monk meditating.
Ashoka returned from the battle, wondering about the Buddhist monk, and the bloodshed he had witnessed.
Ashoka's Palace
After some time, Ashoka decided it was time to change his ways, and renounced violence in his life. Ashoka converted to Buddhism with dharma at the center of his mind.
Ashoka continued to reign, but built religious temples, and continued the empire, but with peace and respect, rather than violence and force.