The making of an emperor

Ashok K. Banker’s Ashoka: Satrap of Taxila describes how adverse circumstances moulded the great warrior

October 30, 2017 11:41 am | Updated 11:41 am IST

PAINTING THE PAST Ashok K. Banker captures the pointlessness of war

PAINTING THE PAST Ashok K. Banker captures the pointlessness of war

Continuing with the story of one of the greatest rulers of subcontinent, writer Ashok K. Banker brings his Ashoka: Satrap of Taxila (Westland). This second book in the trilogy follows Ashoka: Lion of Maurya . Continuing the saga, Banker, now brings to fore, the evolution of the warrior-prince as he is subjected to challenges of numerous palace intrigues at different levels, his father Bindusara’s dislike for him and treachery by a loyal lieutenant.

As is Banker’s wont, the description of the battles, violence and death are realistic without making them gory, engaging the reader and maintaining curiosity till the very end.

Excerpts:

On the book dealing with a critical stage of Ashoka’s life

The historical record tells us that as he grew into young manhood, Ashoka’s exploits as a warrior made him a target in the charged political atmosphere of Magadh. It’s likely that his father Emperor Bindusara sent him to Taxila on a kind of suicide mission, hoping that he would be eliminated by the brutal rebels there, leaving the path to the throne clear for Bindusara’s favourite, Sushim. Yet as history tells us, Ashoka not only survived, he quelled the rebellion, saved his brother’s life more than once, and returned in triumph. This book covers that volatile period in Taxila but ends on a violent note which will be resolved in the third book, Ashoka: Master of Magadha .

On juxtaposing Ashoka’s ruthlessness as a warrior along with his gentle behaviour and humility

Like any true warrior, Ashoka was gentle to those who were smaller and weaker than himself, but when assaulted, he responded to violence with like violence. At least this is my understanding of the legend. The rebels are brutal savages, reeking of toxic masculinity, and when reasoning with them proves impossible, he resorts to the only language they speak: brute force. It’s not pretty but he got the job done. Stating that not much is known about the Mauryan age, Banker says he read all the available material on that period while finding Nayanjyot Lahiri’s Ashoka In Ancient India , to be the latest and most up-to-date book on the subject.

On the several palace intrigues and petty power politics of that period

History is eloquent about the complex politics, palace conspiracies, assassinations attempts, poisonings, jockeying for power and vicious intrigues of courtly life. The court of Magadha was no different in these respects. If anything, it was probably the most violent period in Indian history, leading to a revolt by pacificists such as Mahavira and Buddha, who sought an end to the suffering of innocents caught in these Machiavellian webs.

On the royalty being guided by selfish interests and indulging in hatred

Historical fiction cannot truly tell you what happened, especially about the Mauryan period which is one of the least understood and recorded periods of our history. All a novelist like myself can do is personify known facts in the form of characters — such as the Khorasans and Apama, among others — and attempt to capture the intense rivalries and conspiracies of the court of Bindurasa.

On Bindusara coming across in the book as a weak and pleasure loving king rather than a brave and just like his father, Chandragupta Maurya

Yes, this is based entirely on the known and accepted historical facts. It’s well known that Kautilya himself was openly critical of Bindusara not living up to his father’s legacy and favouring Ashoka over the other siblings. And history shows us the impressive record of Chandragupta and his grandson Ashoka’s achievements, while in contrast, Bindurasa achieved nothing of lasting significance.

On the decline of the mighty Kautaliya, the main force behind the Mauryan age

Kautaliya’s decline could be ascribed to age and politics. It is accepted by historians that Kautilya was probably around 96 at this time and we also know he died that same year. Brahminical politics and jostling for power in the priestly ranks were as vicious as court intrigue. The other factors are depicted within the trilogy itself.

On Prince Tissa, a supporter of Ashoka, condemning war and its ill effects and coming across as weak

War is ugly, brutal, and pointless. It is little more than collective insanity and State-sanctioned murder. As a pacificist and left radical, I never write about war or violence without showing the unacceptable cost of these evils. Tissa is known to have been an exception to his violent siblings which is possibly why he and Ashoka never vied for power. He became my voice of reason in this age of insanity.

Tissa is sensitive and humane. This is not weakness, this is simply being human. Which sane person loves torture chambers? And which of us does not care and love the animals that serve as our companions? Tissa is the closest to a “normal” character in the entire cast of crazies!

On Kautilya’s ironic comment when subjected to torture in a chamber that he commissioned and constructed

Karma is a boomerang! As you do unto others, expect to have the same done unto you.

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