Short answers, pulled from the story.
Ashoka was the third ruler of the Mauryan dynasty who reigned from 269 to 232 BCE. He transformed from a ruthless conqueror known as Chandashoka into a devout follower of Buddhism known as Dhammashoka. His empire stretched from present-day Afghanistan in the west to Bangladesh in the east with its capital at Pataliputra.
Ashoka conquered the Kalinga region during his eighth regnal year. The Major Rock Edict 13 records that 100,000 men and animals were killed in action and 150,000 men and animals were carried away as captives. This event caused Ashoka to repent violence and mark the beginning of a radical shift in policy that defined the rest of his life.
Ashoka died four years after his chief empress Asandhimitta who died four years before him. Various sources mention five consorts of Ashoka including Devi, Asandhimitra, Padmavati, Karuvaki, and Tishyarakshita. His personal life was complex and controversial with legends describing his relationships with multiple wives and children.
Ashoka sent out nine Buddhist missions to spread Buddhism in border areas including Sri Lanka, Kashmir, Gandhara, and the land of the Yonas. He constructed 84,000 stupas or viharas throughout the earth in towns that had a population of 100,000 or more. He also made donations to the sangha and supported Buddhist missionaries during his reign.
There is no evidence that Buddhism was a state religion under Ashoka. His edicts emphasize tolerance of all sects and he dedicated caves to non-Buddhist ascetics like the Ajivikas. Ashoka appointed dhamma-mahamatta officers whose duties included the welfare of various religious sects including the Buddhist sangha, Brahmins, Ajivikas, and Nirgranthas.
The Brahmi script in which Ashoka's edicts were written remained undeciphered until its study by James Prinsep in the 19th century. Ashoka's existence as a historical emperor had almost been forgotten until this decipherment. The decipherment established Ashoka's reputation as one of the greatest Indian emperors.