Ashokas

Ashokas is the plural form of the given name Ashoka, a Sanskrit name meaning "without sorrow" or "no sorrow." The term can refer to individuals who bear the name, or more broadly to rulers named Ashoka, particularly from ancient Indian history. Ashoka and Asoka are common transliterations of the same name.

Historically, the most famous bearer is Ashoka the Great, who ruled the Maurya Empire in the Indian subcontinent during the 3rd century BCE (roughly 268 to 232 BCE). His reign marked the height of Mauryan power, and after converting to Buddhism he promoted the dharma (righteous rule) through inscriptions and edicts. These rock and pillar inscriptions advocate nonviolence, religious tolerance, welfare measures, and the spread of Buddhist teachings. Ashoka’s influence contributed to the spread of Buddhism beyond India into parts of Asia.

In modern usage, Ashoka remains a common personal name in India and other regions influenced by Indian culture. Consequently, Ashokas may simply refer to multiple people named Ashoka. The term does not denote a single political party, dynasty, or organization, though it is sometimes used in literature and discourse to refer to rulers or figures named Ashoka. Spelling variants include Asoka and other transliterations, reflecting Sanskrit-to-English rendering.

Note that the name Ashoka can be confused with the Ashoka tree (Saraca asoca), which is a separate usage not related to the historical figures.