King Asoka was greatly saddened when he heard of the many soldiers who were lost in the conquest of Kalinga, though his army triumphed he could not consider it a true victory. He then swore of fighting and wars so as to cause no more pain among his people. Compared to many rulers in history who seem not to care for how many individuals are lost as long as they win their campaign, Asoka must have cared deeply for his people. The realization of how much human life was lost may have impacted him, to think of the hurting families of lost ones. Perhaps he knew some personally who were affected and saw their pain, understanding that it had been his great campaign that had stolen loved ones
