The Allahabad Pillar with Ashokian edicts talks about the charitable works of Ashoka’s Queen Karuwaki aka Kaurvaki and even mentions that she was the mother of Prince Tivala. Queen Karuwaki in fact is the only Queen of Ashoka who finds her name in the Ashokian edicts.
Here we share everything about her in detail:
Kaurwaki was not a Kalinga Princess but a Fisherman’s Daughter
Unlike portrayed in Shah Rukh Khan’s Ashoka, Karuvaki was not a Kalinga princess but a fisherman’s daughter. She was born and brought up in Kalinga only (the present day Orrisa).
Ashoka Met Kaurwaki During His Exile in Kalinga
When Samrat Bindusar on the insistence of his first son Rajkumar Sushim sent Ashoka away from the boundaries of Magadh, he came to Kalinga. Being in exile, he went incognito and this is when he met the beautiful girl Karuwaki also known as Charuwaki/Kaurubaki unlike shown in Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat where Karuwaki seem to be boarding the same ship as that of Ashoka within Magadh.
Kaurwaki was Ashoka’s Second Wife
Devi was Ashoka’s first wife and the mother of his first two born – son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra. However, Devi being a merchant’s daughter didn’t accompany Ashoka when he returned Pataliaputra. Later, when he was sent in exile he married Karuvaki. So, Karuvaki can be his second wife.
However, Ashoka’s royal consort and the chief Queen Asandhimitra’s wedding period is not known. This is the reason why there is always confusion between them as who is the second wife – is it Kaurwaki or is it Asandhimitra. However, it is widely believed that Queen Asandhimitra was Samrat Ashoka’s fourth wife, the third being Prince Kunala’s biological mother Queen Padmavati.
Queen Karuvaki was the Mother of Samrat Ashoka’s Second Son Prince Tivala aka Prince Tivara
The Allahabad edicts mentions that Queen Kaurwaki was the mother of Prince Tivala. Now, Prince Tivala was Samrat Ashoka’s second son and third born. Tivala supposedly was Ashoka’s favorite son and also the potential successor. However, it appears that he died before Ashoka. He however served Takshila in the presence of Samrat Ashoka as the viceroy of Takshila.
Karuvaki Played an Important Role in Changing Samrat Ashoka’s Lifestyle For Good
The Ashokian edicts clearly state how on the advice of Queen Kaurwaki the Samrat was changing his lifestyle. Ashoka, the Great himself emphasis on the edicts that he started a series of welfare measures for the people only on the advice of Karuvaki. This proves that Karuwaki was an influential queen.
Kaurwaki Later Converted to Buddhism
The historical shreds of evidence and proofs narrate that Karuwaki later converted into Buddhism and even became a sannyasin.
Do Not Miss Reading
Kaurwaki Was a Fisherman’s Daughter not a Princess!
Know Everything about Samrat Ashoka and His Five Wives
Ashoka, the Great Emperor – Know the Real History and Facts
Life of Samrat Bindusara: Facts & History
Image Courtesy: Abanindranath Tagore [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
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