Nayanjot Lahiri est une historienne et archéologue de l'Inde ancienne. Son travail se concentre sur la fourniture d'une vision complète du passé, tissant habilement des découvertes archéologiques avec des sources historiques. Lahiri explore les structures sociales et culturelles des sociétés anciennes, découvrant leur évolution au fil du temps. Son approche offre des perspectives profondes sur la vie des peuples des civilisations passées.
In the third century BCE Ashoka ruled in South Asia and Afghanistan, and came to be seen as the ideal Buddhist king. Disentangling the threads of Ashoka’s life from the knot of legend that surrounds it, Nayanjot Lahiri presents a vivid biography of an emperor whose legacy extends far beyond the bounds of his lifetime and dominion.
The book explores the evolving persona of India's most renowned emperor, highlighting how it was adapted throughout history to align with diverse social visions, political agendas, and moral objectives. It delves into the complexities of his image and the impact of these reinventions on society and culture in ancient India.