Nayanjot Lahiri è una storica e archeologa dell'antica India. Il suo lavoro si concentra sull'offrire una visione completa del passato, intrecciando abilmente scoperte archeologiche con fonti storiche. Lahiri approfondisce le strutture sociali e culturali delle società antiche, scoprendone l'evoluzione nel tempo. Il suo approccio offre profonde intuizioni sulla vita delle persone nelle civiltà passate.
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.