Ethical leadership is deeply rooted in the enduring values of the Indian civilisation. In this context, the article examines one of ancient India’s most distinctive and influential figures — Emperor Ashoka. Ashoka anchored his rule by a moral philosophy, which he referred to as ‘Dhamma’ or dharma – a universally applicable code of ethics, the refrain of which is palpable in the collective identity of the modern Indian nation state. It is this value driven style of governance, which makes Ashoka an interesting case study for successful leadership.
Mauryan Emperor, Ashoka, ruled from around 268 BCE to 232 BCE over one of the greatest empires in the ancient world, stretching from modern Afghanistan to Bangladesh and from Nepal to Karnataka. Most of what we know of Ashoka’s life is from the hagiographical accounts of Buddhist scholars who wrote years and centuries after Ashoka’s life. Noted historians agree that the truly reliable historical records, which shed light on his life, personality and rule are the Ashokan rock and pillar edicts found across his vast empire.
Ashokan Iconography in Modern India
Ashokan edicts, art and architecture have left an indelible mark on Indian civilisation, evidenced by the fact that Independent India adopted Ashokan iconography as symbols of sovereignty and national values. The lion capital at Sarnath is India’s emblem and the Dharmachakra is placed on the national flag. Both these symbols were used by Ashoka to adorn the famous site at Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh, where Gautama Buddha is said to have delivered his first sermon after obtaining enlightenment, thereby ‘setting in motion the Wheel of Dharma’ – ‘Dhammacakkapavattanasutta’. India’s values of moral rectitude, tolerance, peace and inclusion, could have not found better symbolism than the Dharmachakra.
Ashoka’s philosophy – a leadership blueprint
- The Ashokan edicts comprise of 14 major rock edicts, 2 separate rock edicts at Kalinga, 15 minor rock edicts, 7 major pillar edicts and certain cave inscriptions. They contain the key precepts of the moral philosophy which he espoused. Interestingly, Ashokan dharma was not purely Buddhist teachings, but a universal code of ethics, anchored in the values of ahimsa (peace), truthfulness, charity, respect for elders, fairness and welfare of all. Value driven leadership is at the core of all successful organisations. The modern Indian State is guided by principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution. In the corporate world, organisational values are often reflected in a written code of conduct.
- The edicts are testament to the fact that Ashoka understood the importance of communication. The edicts were meant to be read out on special days for the benefit of his subjects, by Ashoka’s ministers (the ‘mahamatras’), much like modern day town-halls. He created a cadre of officials called ‘dhammamahamatras’ whose job was to propagate dharma across his empire and even carry these precepts outside the empire as envoys, much like ethics champions appointed by organisations. Effective and consistent communication by leadership is key to alignment and shared values across an organisation.
- Admitting a mistake and apologising for it is usually considered a weakness in a leader many of whom believe admitting mistakes chips away at their legitimacy. Ashoka’s expression of remorse and regret after the Kalinga War (which took place 8 years after his royal consecration), stands in sharp relief to this.
In Rock edict XIII Ashoka states, “This is the regret that the Beloved of the Gods has after conquering the Kalingas. For, conquering an unconquered land entails the killing, death, or deportation of people. That is deemed extremely painful and grievous by the Beloved of the Gods.”Instead of diminishing his power, publicly expressing remorse increased Ashoka’s moral stature. The ability to introspect and the moral courage of admitting a mistake makes leaders appear real, relatable and receptive to feedback. The commitment to do things differently reflect a mind that is reflective, agile and adaptive.
- Ashoka is unique in his use of soft power rather than imposition of formal authority. The tone of Ashokan edicts is that of a paternalistic king who viewed his subjects as his children and who was committed to the welfare of all. Strikingly, he understood that he would likely achieve better outcomes with this persuasive and empathetic approach rather than through coercion and force of law. Great leaders intuitively understand that empathy is the cornerstone of successful leadership and the key to long term trust-building.
- Ashoka was acutely aware that he ruled over a multi-cultural and religiously pluralistic empire and therefore, tolerance, inclusivity and impartiality were at the heart of his moral philosophy. He understood the need for creating a collective identity which would unite the diverse population he governed. For modern nation states, often this collective identity is enshrined in a constitution, like the Indian Constitution. Similarly, leaders of large and diverse organisations are expected to lead ethically and without undue favour to any. Professionalism, inclusion and meritocracy must be underscored by organisations which aim to stand the test of time.
- Ashoka embodied the principle of leading by example. He not only propagated his dhamma but also actively practiced it and exhorted his subjects, whom he addressed as his children, to emulate him. For example, since he placed great emphasis on the virtue of donating gifts, he recast his royal tours as ‘dhammayatras’, where he displayed his generosity by giving gifts to the needy and the ascetics. Interestingly, while he led by example, Ashoka did not create a personality cult (a highly tempting leadership trope) but rather hoped that his Dhamma would be his legacy.
Ethical leadership is more important than ever now, when the world is facing multiple challenges, such as armed conflicts, international trade wars, ecological damage and the potential misuse of powerful technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing. As an emperor, Ashoka held unprecedented power, yet he chose to restrain his power within the confines of a moral philosophy, making him the flag-bearer of value driven leadership in ancient India and making ethical leadership an integral part of India’s civilisational values.
(Views expressed in the article belong solely to the author)
