The Resume

(circa 304 BC-232 BC)
Born in Pataliputra, India
Third emperor of the Maurya Dynasty (ca. 268-232 BC)
Ordered the erection of pillars inscribed with his edicts throughout the empire

Why he might be annoying:

Most of the information about him comes from either his own edicts – where he was presumably trying to present himself in the best light – or Buddhist legends written centuries after his rule, making it tough to write an accurate biography of him.
It does not help that the Buddhist legends from northern India and the ones from Sri Lanka frequently contradict each other.
The sources pretty much all agree that was a ‘rule with an iron fist’ type of monarch before getting religion.
He allegedly killed off several half-brothers to claim the throne.

Why he might not be annoying:

After converting to Buddhism, he renounced war and abolished the death penalty.
He encouraged toleration of other religions.
As part of his policy of dharma, he appointed officers to look after the welfare of the elderly, the disabled, widows, and orphans.
The sculpture of four lions from the top of the Asoka Pillars was adopted as the emblem of the modern Republic of India (1950).

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• Asian Royalty
• Bigamists/Polygamists
• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 80]
• I am a Buddhist
• I Married at Least Five Times [I Do! I Do! I Do! I Do! I Do!]
• I was Cremated
• Known By a Single Name
• Look at Me, My Picture Is Art
• Monarchs, Royalty and Nobles
• Profiles 49838-50000 (Ranked: 49991)
• Religion's 100 Most Influential People (Ranked: 53)

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 11 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 14 Votes: 71.43% Annoying