I would like a source that contradict the general view of Emperor Ashoka. It'd also be a pretty interesting read. The general view, as far as I've seen, is:

• Ashoka killed many of his brothers fort eh throne.

• He converted to Buddhism after the bloody Battle of Kalinga.

• He accepted everyone and every other religious, ruling zealously and piously, going on Buddhist missions.

• After his death, Buddhism declined in India and his empire collapsed, but not before his heirs managed to convert Sri Lanka to Buddhism.

So far, I've tried googling "AShoka wasn't Buddhist" but nothing has come up. I'd really appreciate the help, thanks.

How did they go from being a permanent member in the Security Council to not being a member?

Or did they wipe at all? Did they use toilet papyrus?

From what I've learned lurking here and online, as recent as 200 years ago, children after around 10 were pretty much on their own, at least the boys. Were given responsibilites. That is, they were not treated as sacred as they are now (till age 16). Also early marriage, and early worklife. Any thoughts on this and examples?

I've heard that most Vietnam veterans were seen badly after their return home. Why is this though? Because of PSTD? Drug addiction? It's probably a lot of things together, but what are the main causes?

Some years back I saw a documentary about ancient Britain. They showed an ancient burial mound type thing (might have been built into the ground?) with just a couple of dozen skulls in it. The place was on a small island just off the coast.

Does it ring any bells?

I don't particularly mean the emotional and psychological trauma associated with warfare, but rather the actual order of battle.

I know there are games like Red Orchestra that are said to simulate weapons, uniforms, and cover accurately. However, would the actual battle be executed in a way similar to how these games portray it? From what I have encountered, there is a huge emphasis on the significance of infantry combat with troops engaging in combat only occasionally receiving support from armor, air, or artillery.

/r/AskHistorians, I sit here enjoying a beverage with my wife. She is having a glass of wine and I'm drinking an Angy Orchard hard cider.

This brought me to wonder why alcohol, more specifically sharing it, became sort of 'the thing to do' when meeting new people or reminiscing.

I'm looking for digestible sources of information about daily life in a midwestern city around 1918, but most sources seem to focus on a soldier's life, which is precisely what I don't need for this project.

Anyone have any ideas?

According to the last written record pertaining to Greenland, a couple was married at Hvalsey Church in Greenland, and this couple later relocated to Iceland. Is it possible the remainder of these people also left Greenland, if not in one big wave, then over the course of several decades?

I've tried google as well as IOS maps. If anyone could point me in the right direction I would greatly appreciate it.

I recently learned of the presidents previously elected into office before George Washington, of which nearly half were Free Masons. Not forgetting Washington himself, as well as Benjamin Franklin, and even Hoover & FDR.

Is it just by coincidence that many of these men joined their local lodge, or is there something inherent in the Mason traditions that drew men of their stature towards joining? Is there any historical context as to why it's gone so far as for George Washington to preform "Mason Rights" on the Capitol building?

(Just for clarification, I'm not looking for conspiracy driven connections, just if there's a historically legitimate reason.)

This is really a two part question. When did restaurants start giving you mints after your meal and also is this a carryover from something else like us just eating mint in our own houses after a meal?

Title. Did it look like the one in Gladiator? Was it depicted with an eagle?