One of India’s greatest emperors, Ashoka the Great reigned over most of present-day India after a number of military conquests. Ashoka played a critical role in helping make Buddhism a world religion.

Stylistically, Ashoka’s capital owes much to the ancient Near East, especially the Achaemenid art of Persepolis but its iconography is Buddhist.

Reference: Gardner’s Art Through the Ages: A Global History

(Left)Pillar of Ashoka at Mumbai. Ashoka who was a great Indian emperor followed similar approach as Achaemenids (Persian Empire) in ruling his country and was obviously inspired by Achaemenids arts as can be seen in this pillar. In spiritual aspect, he followed Buddha and this in turn had its effect on this pillar. (Middle) a pillar from a recently discovered Achaemenid palace in Noorabad, Fars, Iran. (Right) a column from Apadana Hall a famous part of Persepolis. This column is kept in National Museum of Iran, Tehran

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(تصویر راست) یک ستون تالار آپادانا از تخت جمشید که در موزه ایران باستان در تهران نگهداری می شود. ( تصویر وسط) پایه ستونی از کاخ هخامنشی تازه کشف شده در نورآباد فارس (تصویر چپ) ستون آشوکا در بمبئی هند. آشوکا امپراتور بزرگ هندی در زمینه کشورداری متاثر از هخامنشیان و در زمینه مذهبی پیرو بودا بود.