Short answers, pulled from the story.
Ashoka, also known as Ashoka the Great, was Emperor of Magadha from around 268 BCE until his death and the third ruler of the Mauryan dynasty. His empire stretched from present-day Afghanistan in the west to present-day Bangladesh in the east, with its capital at Pataliputra. He is credited with an important role in spreading Buddhism across ancient Asia.
Ashoka conquered Kalinga during his eighth regnal year, and his Major Rock Edict 13 records that 100,000 men and animals were killed in action and 150,000 were carried away as captives. He expressed profound sorrow and regret over the slaughter. In the years that followed he was gradually drawn toward Buddhism and devoted himself to dhamma, or righteous conduct.
Ashoka ruled from around 268 BCE until his death, ascending the throne around 269-268 BCE. He was the third ruler of the Mauryan dynasty. His father was the emperor Bindusara and his grandfather was Chandragupta, the founder of the empire.
Ashoka's existence as a historical emperor had almost been forgotten because his inscriptions were written in the Brahmi script, which was forgotten and remained undeciphered for centuries. James Prinsep deciphered the script in the 19th century, after which Ashoka gained a reputation as one of the greatest Indian emperors.
The State Emblem of the modern Republic of India is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka. Ashoka's wheel, the Ashoka Chakra, is placed at the center of the National Flag of India.
Ashoka's dhamma referred to a moral order of active social concern, religious tolerance, ecological awareness, shared ethical precepts, and the renunciation of war. His Kandahar inscriptions translate the word using the Greek eusebeia and the Aramaic qsyt, suggesting it meant something broader than Buddhism. His inscriptions never mention Buddhist doctrines such as the Four Noble Truths or Nirvana.
Ashoka banned the killing of many animals, protected nursing females and their young, abolished imperial hunting, and provided medical facilities for humans and animals. He also emphasized religious tolerance, honoring people of all faiths and donating the Barabar Caves to the Ajivikas. There is no evidence that Buddhism was a state religion under him.