The Pala ruler ‘Devapala’ was succeeded by Vigrahapala. Vigrahapala ruled for about 3 or 4 years after that, he abdicated his throne and began to live the life of an ascetic.
Ashoka’s Dhamma emphasised on non-violence and mutual respect. It encompassed a social and intellectual code of ethics. It focused on primacy of ethical behaviour and the recognition of the dignity of human life.