Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat

2021-07-04T06:27:41Z

223.235.8.170:

{{short description|2015 Indian historical drama serial}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox television
| name = Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat
| image = File:Chakravartin_Ashoka.jpg
| caption = 
| genre = [[Historical Fiction]] [[Drama]]
| based_on =
| creator = [[Ashok Banker]]
| writer = [[Ashok Banker]]
| director = Prasad Gavandi
| creative_director = Jitendra Srivastava, Nafees Khan
| starring = {{bulleted list|[[Siddharth Nigam]]||[[Reem Shaikh]]||[[Mohit Raina]]||[[Soumya Seth]]||[[Pallavi Subhash]]||[[Sameer Dharmadhikari]]||[[Manoj Joshi (actor)|Manoj Joshi]]||[[Sumedh Mudgalkar]]||[[Suzanne Bernert]]||}}
| country = [[India]]
| language = [[Hindi]]
| num_seasons = 1
| num_episodes = 442<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phDh2NwDUFM|title=Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat episodes|publisher=Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat|date=7 October 2016|access-date=8 October 2016}}</ref>
| producer = Abhimanyu Singh Rupali Singh
| location = [[Karjat]], [[Raigad district]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]
| cinematography = Deepak Pandey
| runtime = approx. 20 minutes
| company = [[Contiloe Entertainment]]
| picture_format = {{plainlist|
* [[576i]]
* [[1080i]] ([[HDTV]])
}}
| first_aired = {{start date|df=yes|2015|2|2}}
| last_aired = {{end date|df=yes|2016|10|7}}
| website = https://www.voot.com/shows/chakravartin-ashoka-samrat/1/359116/chakravartin-ashoka-samrat-season-01-episode-162/359933?utm_source=google_web&utm_medium=search_google&utm_campaign=ashoka_samrat_DSA_mytho&gclid=Cj0KCQjwg8n5BRCdARIsALxKb95QEDZRW22OfGTp7tyMdKcEzSsoH_CnSZUyo-OxmQmcS0dSM9b_wGQaAmtJEALw_wcB
| channel = [[Viacom 18|Colors TV]]
| opentheme = ''Ashoka Hai , Ashoka Tha''
}}
'''''Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat''''' (English: ''The Great Emperor Ashoka'') was a 2015 [[India]]n [[historical drama]] TV series <ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title = 'Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat': Manoj Joshi, aka Chanakya, Sacked or Quit|url = http://www.indiawest.com/entertainment/television/chakravartin-ashoka-samrat-manoj-joshi-aka-chanakya-sacked-or-quit/article_f641e4fe-92f6-11e5-b947-a7a77e4133f1.html|website = India West|access-date = 29 November 2015}}</ref> that aired on [[Colors TV]] from 2 February 2015 to 7 October 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Chakravartin-Ashoka-Samrat-Story-so-far-/photostory/47630642.cms|title=Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat: Story so far...|date=11 June 2015}}</ref> The show was created and written by author and screenwriter Faizan Mohammad.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/books/books-authors/in-the-city-for-hlf-2015-ashok-banker-talks-about-living-with-words-eating-words-and-feeding-on-to-the-language/article6823858.ece|title='Authors shouldn't be salesmen'|publisher=Thehindu.com|access-date=30 March 2015|newspaper=The Hindu|date=26 January 2015|last1=Murthy|first1=Neeraja}}</ref><ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com">{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Chakravartin-Ashoka-Samrat-History-comes-alive-on-the-small-screen/articleshow/44320707.cms|title=Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat: History comes alive on the small screen|work=The Times of India|access-date=3 March 2015}}</ref> It stars [[Mohit Raina]] as [[Ashoka]]<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Ashoka-to-kill-Siamak-in-Chakravartin-Ashoka-Samrat/articleshow/54357853.cms |title = Ashoka to kill Siamak in Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat - Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/This-is-when-Chakravartin-Ashoka-Samrat-will-go-off-air/articleshow/54349946.cms | title=This is when Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat will go off air - Times of India}}</ref> with [[Siddharth Nigam]] portraying the young version of the character.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Prinal-Oberoi-in-Chakravartin-Ashoka-Samrat/articleshow/45533558.cms|title=Prinal Oberoi in Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat|work=The Times of India|access-date=3 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asianage.com/tv/sameer-s-king-tv-world-499|title=Sameer's the king of the TV world|work=The Asian Age|access-date=3 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Sameer-Dharmadhikari-in-Chakravartin-Ashoka-Samrat/articleshow/45228446.cms|title=Sameer Dharmadhikari in Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat|work=The Times of India|access-date=3 March 2015}}</ref>

''Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat'' was based on the life of [[King Ashoka]] (304–232 BCE), the [[List of Mauryan rulers|third emperor]] of the [[Maurya Empire|Mauryan dynasty]] of [[India]]. The series tells the story of how he faced the problems outside and inside [[Magadha]], eventually rising to become its ruler.<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/2015-TV-shows-to-look-forward-to-in-the-new-year/photostory/45704131.cms|title=2015: TV shows to look forward to in the new year|work=The Times of India|access-date=3 March 2015|date=31 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="Express promo">{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/screen/siddharth-nigam-sumit-kaul-and-pallavi-subhash-roped-in-for-ashoka/|title=Siddharth Nigam, Sumit Kaul and Pallavi Subhash roped in for Ashoka|last=Karan Shah|date=19 December 2014|work=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=20 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-a-historical-war-siddharth-tewary-and-abhimanyu-singh-race-to-make-serial-on-king-ashoka-2023375|title=A historical war: Siddharth Tewary and Abhimanyu Singh race to make serial on king Ashoka|work=dna|access-date=3 March 2015|date=4 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/television/watch-king-ashoka-on-tv/article1-1249322.aspx|title=Watch King Ashoka on TV|work=Hindustantimes.com/|access-date=3 March 2015}}</ref> The historical drama was produced by [[Contiloe Entertainment]] and directed by Prasad Gavandi. The show premiered on 2 February 2015 with a 1-hour telecast duration for the first 20 episodes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Chakravartin-Ashok-Samrat-Colors-rolls-out-its-masterpiece/articleshow/46051823.cms|title='Chakravartin Ashok Samrat' - Colors rolls out its masterpiece|work=The Times of India|access-date=3 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/first-look-of-much-awaited-tv-serial-chakravartin-ashok-samrat-launched/|title=First look of much-awaited TV serial 'Chakravartin Ashok Samrat' launched|date=29 January 2015|work=The Indian Express|access-date=3 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asianage.com/tv/siddharth-nigam-talks-being-ashoka-456|title=Siddharth Nigam talks of being Ashoka|work=The Asian Age|access-date=3 March 2015}}</ref> The serial ended on 7 October 2016.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Siya-Ke-Ram-and-Ashoka-to-go-off-air/articleshow/54938085.cms |title = 'Siya Ke Ram' and 'Ashoka' to go off air - Times of India}}</ref>

==Plot ==
{{Plot|date=May 2021}}
This series starts when [[Magadha]] is ruled by Emperor [[Bindusara Maurya]]. Bindusara's step-mother, Helena conspires against him. Helena's men attack Bindusara, but he is cured by a Brahmin woman named [[Subhadrangi|Dharma]]. Bindusara is amazed at her skills and intellect, and later marries her. Dharma then conceives a child. Bindusara later asks Dharma to accompany him to the royal palace, however, she insists on living in the forest and prefers a simple lifestyle. Bindusara takes leave of her while promising to return and take their child to Magadha after it is born. Meanwhile, Noor, Bindusara's third queen, and her father, Mir Khorasan, seek to assassinate Dharma. Mir attacks Dharma and kills her father. He then sets her hut on fire. Bindusara assumes Dharma to be dead, but Dharma survives and gives birth to a son and names him [[Ashoka]].

===14 years later===
Ashoka is a young boy who lives with his mother in a hamlet. [[Chanakya]] spots Ashoka on the streets of Magadha and gets to know about his true identity, but promises Dharma to keep it a secret from Ashoka and Bindusara. Chanakya, along with his disciple Radhagupta takes them to Pataliputra and Dharma becomes a royal physician. Ashoka starts by working as a horsekeeper and on numerous occasions, he impresses Bindusara and they both develop a bond, which is despised by Bindusara's eldest son [[Susima|Sushima]], his mother Charumitra, Mir Khorasan, Helena and, her son Justin. Sushima and Ashoka are always at loggerheads and Sushima conspires against Ashoka many times, but every time, Ashoka manages to escape. One day, Dharma is attacked by some men, who succeed in killing her on her way to the forest, and everyone believes it to be the work of a tiger. Ashoka is devastated by this incident but Bindusara consoles him, and spends time with him. It is later revealed that Dharma is still alive as Chanakya saw the attack coming and therefore replaced Dharma with one of his spies. On Chanakya's suggestion, Bindusara admits Ashoka to the royal school of Magadha. Ashoka has a hard time initially and is harassed by Sushima and his associates, but is comforted by Bindusara's third son Siyamak and Acharya Akramak - the martial arts instructor. Akramak trains Ashoka in warfare and Ashoka then decides to take part in the annual competition of 'Magadha's best warrior.' After overcoming all odds and injustice and after an intense, elaborate competition with Sushima and the other children at the royal school of Magadha, Ashoka emerges victorious. He is however tricked into believing that Sushima is being attacked by a tiger and rushes to save him, only to be cheated by Sushima who steals the sword of [[Chandragupta Maurya]] which the winner is supposed to take to the finish line. Ashoka is heartbroken and dejected but Bindusara is still impressed by his performance. Bindusara, after seeing Sushima's victory, decides to make him the crown prince. Ashoka confides in Chanakya and Chanakya stops Sushima's coronation at the last minute. Chanakya strips Sushima of his sword after the latter insults and tries to kill him. Ashoka is then united with Dharma, who consoles him.

====The house of wax====

Meanwhile, Helena, with her father Seleucus Nicator and the king of [[Ujjain]] hatch a plot to kill off Bindusara's family. Their chosen method is to burn down a wax house with their victims inside, during Justin's wedding with the princess of Ujjain. Chanakya realises the conspiracy but gets kidnapped. Ashoka then finds a secret tunnel and after entering it, reaches the wax house and saves Chanakya. After learning about the conspiracy, he uses his sharp mind and strength to defeat the enemy's attack and creates a safe pathway for the royal family till they reach the tunnel used by the enemy to escape, thus, saving the royal family. As a reward for Ashoka's strength, bravery, and presence of mind, Bindusara awards him the sword of Chandragupta Maurya and appoints him as his personal bodyguard. He catches the king of Ujjain and presents him before Bindusara, who decrees the death penalty but Justin in order to save his mother sacrifices his life and it is later on revealed that Siyamak (grandson of Mir Khorasan) is Justin and Noor's son.

====Bindusara and Dharma's reunion====
Ashoka eventually learns about his birth and true father, from an astrologer in his birthplace. With the help of Chanakya, he devises a plan to expose Mir Khorasan who had tried to kill Dharma earlier, and reveal the truth to Bindusara. They succeed, and Mir Khorasan is arrested. Bindusara accepts Dharma and Ashoka, and they start living happily.

====Sushima's Regency====
Bindusara and Chanakya decide to test the princes by engaging them in intense political debate. Ashoka who has no experience in the field still impresses everyone with his answers but eventually loses to Sushima. Since Bindusara has to go on an important conquest, he makes Sushima the regent in his absence. Sushima, along with his mother Charumitra is brutal in his ways and flips the kingdom upside down, tortures his subjects and, mercilessly harasses his fiancée and his former love interest Ahenkara (princess of Ujjain). He also brutally mistreats and torments Ashoka and Dharma. To put an end to his tyranny, Ashoka dresses up as a warrior Agradhoot and secretly protects the people. Sushima finds out Agradhoot's true identity and uses Agradhoot's lookalike to taint Ashoka's image in front of the public. A drunk Sushima one day harasses Ahenkara both mentally and physically, nearly killing her brother for his refusal to accept his proposal for marriage to her. However, her brother is saved by Agradhoot. Sushima and Agradhoot engage in a fierce battle but Sushima is severely wounded in the process and falls unconscious. He suddenly wakes up and charges at Agradhoot from behind but Ahenkara, To save Agradhoot accidentally shoves a dagger through Sushima's stomach and wounds him. Bindusara just arrives and sees this, but Ashoka takes the blame to protect Ahenkara and gets arrested. Chanakya realises the truth and arrives in time to give justice to both Ashoka and Ahenkara. Ahenkara's marriage with Sushima is called off. Sushima is treated by Dharma who saves his life.

Meanwhile, Noor escapes from the palace and goes to her ex-lover Daastan, a [[Greater Khorasan|Khorasani]] warrior. The duo invades Magadha and holds the royal family as their prisoners. Just as Noor is about to kill Dharma, Ashoka arrives and defeats Daastan and accidentally kills Noor, leaving Siyamak dejected. Daastan gets imprisoned but escapes with Mir Khorasan. Chanakya finds out about the incidents that took place and then blackmails Sushima and Charumitra, threatening to expose everything they did in Bindusara's absence if they refused to stop harassing Ashoka's family.

====Death of Chanakya====
At this time, all the enemies of Ashoka including Sushima, his mother, Helena, Siyamak (who wants to avenge his mother) and, prime minister Khallatak - who all want the throne badly decide to team up to kill Chanakya, in an abandoned house and frame Daastan for his death. Ashoka is emotionally shattered and vows to catch the murderers and slay them. He finds Daastan and kills him but a dying Daastan reveals that he had nothing to do with Chanakya's killing and the true culprits are still roaming freely. After performing Chanakya's last rites, Ashoka is sent to [[Taxila|Takshashila]] to suppress a massive revolt and tyranny of Kichak - a former warrior in the Magadha army who had betrayed Bindusara and Chanakya. Kichak has now built a huge army and after capturing Takshashila, and he tortures the people and mercilessly kills them. He has plans to attack Magadha and become the emperor.

After a long period of struggles and sacrifices, Ashoka emerges victorious, slays Kichak publicly, and frees Takshashila from Kichak's tyranny. In the process, he falls in love with [[Karuvaki|Kaurwaki]] - the princess of [[Kalinganagar|Kalinga]] who accompanies him in his mission to free her father Jagannath who was Kichak's prisoner.

On his arrival in Pataliputra, Ashoka is declared the heir to Bindusara's throne, much to the dismay of Sushima. Together with his mother, using black magic, Sushima destroys Dharma and Ashoka's relationship with Bindusara. And subsequently, an pre-planned invasion of Pataliputra is carried out by Mir Khorasan and Selucus Nicator with the help of Helena. They capture the palace of Bindusara and hold him captive. But again, Ashoka uses his quick thinking and powers to rescue Bindusara and defeat Mir Khorasan and Seleucus Nicator. An angry Sushima murders them before Ashoka can present them to Bindusara. Sushima thus steals credit for the victory and impresses everyone. Selucus Nicator's daughter Helena is arrested.

One day, while in prison Helena reveals to Ashoka the murderers of Chanakya and fakes a suicide. Ashoka, in a fit of rage, goes on a killing spree and stabs Sushima in front of Bindusara. He proceeds to kill everyone involved in Chanakya's killing but is chained heavily and thrown behind bars. Bindusara is extremely disgusted by Ashoka's actions and decides to abandon him. Ashoka is banished. Dharma and her newborn son [[Vitashoka]] (Vit) accompany him to Ujjain and Ashoka vows to come back stronger and avenge Chanakya's death.

===10 years later===

Ashoka, now known as Chand, has become a ruthless, angry man who just wants revenge. Ashoka lives with Dharma and his younger brother, Vitashoka in the house of a merchant named Dhaniram. Dhaniram's daughter, [[Devi (wife of Ashoka)|Devi]] cares so much about them. Over time, Sushima becomes stronger with the help of the black magic of Charumitra. Siamak has grown into a cool-headed man but thirsts for the death of Ashoka. Ashoka learns that Sushima is taking part in a local wrestling contest and decides to take part in it. He fights as Chand, hoping for a chance to kill Sushima. Dharma and Vit come there and stop Ashok. Bindusara recognises them, forgives Ashoka, and asks him to come back to Pataliputra.

Soon, Ashoka finds out that illegal slavery has been prevailing in Pataliputra for the last 10 years under the leadership of a mysterious person named Kondana. Ashoka and Chanakya's Grandson Radhagupta decide to solve this puzzle and after a hard search and via some of his acquaintances and rivals from Ujjain, they find that Kondana's actual name starts from the letter 'H'. They then figure out that Kondana is none other than Helena, who is still alive. Ashoka does not have any proof of this fact and is initially ridiculed by everyone. He, along with one of his former acquaintances named Lasandra, come up with an elaborate master plan to expose Kondana. They succeed and Helena is exposed in the royal court and Siamak is tricked into killing her.

====Ashoka's marriage====
Bindusara decides to get his sons married and invites many princesses, including Karuvaki. After an elaborate sequence of events, Sushima is married to princess Chanda, and Ashoka is supposed to marry Karuvaki. But, Jagannath who strongly disapproves of their relationship, insults Bindusara and Dharma publicly and asks them to give him the throne of Magadha if Ashoka marries Karuvaki. Ashoka is angered by this and breaks off his marriage with Karuvaki, marrying Devi instead.

====Death of Dharma====
But, Sushima and Siamak kill Dharma on his wedding night, leaving Ashoka shocked. But, Ashoka finds a piece of a necklace that supposedly belongs to Siamak while gathering Dharma's ashes. Ashoka enters Taxila and kills Siamak, believing he is Dharma's sole murderer.

====Ashoka's revenge and rise to the throne====
In this process, Karuvaki saves Ashoka but is shocked after learning about Ashoka and Devi's relationship. Jaganath throws Karuvaki to a waterfall and blames Ashoka. Ashoka saves Karuvaki, who is in a coma. Charumitra comes to kill Karuvaki, but Karuvaki regains consciousness in time and hides, covering Charumitra on the bed. Sushima kills Charumitra thinking her to be Karuvaki. Khallatak then teams up with Ashoka and reveals to him the only way in which Sushima can be killed. Ashoka then challenges Sushima and both of them engage in a fierce duel. However, Ashoka tricks Sushima into a pit containing lava and kills him. Ashoka is thus crowned as the third emperor of Magadha. Devi decides to step back from her marriage so that Ashoka and Kaurwaki could live together but Kaurwaki convinces her to go back and herself returns to Kalinga. Devi gives birth to their son who is named [[Mahinda (Buddhist monk)|Mahindra]] in Ashoka's absence. Later, Devi is pregnant with her second child but Radhagupt and Devi leaves Ashoka becaus Ashoka had turned selfish, with his son. Then, Devi Gives Birth to their Daughter [[Sanghamitta|Sanghamitra]].

====Conversion to Buddhism====

Ashoka then decides to capture Kalinga and wages war against them. He eventually succeeds in capturing Kalinga but in the process, draws a massive amount of bloodshed, killing millions of people. This incident leaves him traumatized at the waste of human lives. He later on, decides to give up violence and embraces Buddhism. With the help of his children and ministers, he propagates the principles of Buddhism around the world for the welfare of mankind and earns the title of "Ashoka the Great", also fulfilling Chanakya's dream of Akhanda Bharath (United India).

==Cast==
{| style="border: 1px solid darkgray; background: #DCDCDC"
|Actors, along with their respective characters, shaded in light grey are cast members whose characters died in the course of the series.
|}

===Main cast===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Character
! Portrayed by
! Year!
! Description
|-
|rowspan="2"|Chakravartin Samrat [[Ashoka Maurya]] aka Chand
| [[Mohit Raina]]
| 2016
| Third [[Maurya]] Emperor, Samrat [[Bindusara]] and Queen [[Subhadrangi|Dharma]]'s first son; [[Vitashoka]]'s brother; [[Susima]] , Siyamak and Drupad's half-brother who was [[Susima]]'s enemy; [[Devi (wife of Ashoka)|Devi]] and [[Karuvaki]]'s husband; [[Mahinda (Buddhist monk)|Mahinda]] , [[Tivala]] and [[Sangamitta]]'s father.
|-
| [[Siddharth Nigam]]
| 2015-16
| Young Prince [[Ashoka]] aka Vanaraj
|-
| Empress [[Devi (wife of Ashoka)|Devi]]
| Kajol Srivastav
| 2016
| Dhaniram's daughter, [[Ashoka|Ashoka Maurya]]'s first wife; [[Mahinda (Buddhist monk)|Mahinda]] and [[Sanghamitta]]'s mother.
|-
|rowspan="2"|Queen [[Kaurwaki]]
| [[Soumya Seth]]
| 2016
| Princess of [[Kalinga (historical region)|Kalinga]]; Jagnnath and Vasudha's daughter, [[Ashoka|Ashoka Maurya]]'s beloved second wife , [[Tivala|Tivala 's]] Mother.
|-
| [[Reem Sheikh]]
| 2015-16
| Young Princess [[Kaurwaki]]
|-
|- style="height: 5em;" bgcolor="#DCDCDC"
| Head Queen [[Subhadrangi|Dharma]]
| [[Pallavi Subhash]]
| 2015-16
| Samrat [[Bindusara|Bindusara Maurya]]'s beloved second wife, [[Ashoka|Ashoka Maurya]] and [[Vitashoka]]'s mother.
|-
|- style="height: 5em;" bgcolor="#DCDCDC"
| Samrat [[Bindusara Maurya]]
| [[Sameer Dharmadhikari]]
| 2015-16
| Second [[Maurya]] Emperor; [[Chandragupta Maurya]] and [[Durdhara]]'s son; Helena's step-son; Justin's half-brother; Charumitra, [[Subhadrangi|Dharma]], Noor and Subrasi's husband; [[Susima]], [[Ashoka]], Dhrupad and [[Vitashoka]]'s father.
|-
|- style="height: 5em;" bgcolor="#DCDCDC"
|rowspan="2"|Prince [[Susima|Sushim Maurya]]
| [[Ankit Arora]]
| 2016
| Samrat [[Bindusara]] and Charumitra's son, [[Ashoka]], [[Vitashoka]] , Siyamak and Dhrupad's half-elder brother who was [[Ashoka]]'s enemy, Chanda's husband.
|-
|- style="height: 5em;" bgcolor="#DCDCDC"
| [[Sumedh Mudgalkar]]
| 2015-16
| Young Cruel Prince [[Susima|Sushima Siyamak and Dhrupad's half-elder brother who was]] [[Ashoka]]'s enemy
|-
|- style="height: 5em;" bgcolor="#DCDCDC"
| Acharya [[Chanakya]]
| [[Manoj Joshi (actor)|Manoj Joshi]]
| 2015
| [[Chandragupta Maurya]], [[Bindusara|Bindusara Maurya]] and [[Ashoka|Ashoka Maurya]]'s teacher who gave advices them to rule the Kingdom; Radhagupt's grandfather.
|-
|}

===Supporting cast===
{| class="wikitable"
! Character
! Portrayed by
! Year
! Description
|- style="height: 5em;" bgcolor="#DCDCDC"
| Rajmata Helena Maurya / Kondana
| [[Suzanne Bernert]]
| 2015-16
| [[Chandragupta Maurya]]'s second wife; Justin's mother; [[Bindusara]]'s step-mother; [[Seleucus I Nicator]]'s daughter; Siamak's grandmother.
|-
| Prince [[Vitashoka|Vitashoka Maurya]] aka Vit
| Dev Singhal
| 2016
| Samrat [[Bindusara|Bindusara Maurya]] and Queen [[Subhadrangi|Dharma]]'s second son; [[Ashoka|Ashoka Maurya]]'s younger brother; [[Susima]] , Siyamak and Drupad's half-younger brother.
|-
|- style="height: 5em;" bgcolor="#DCDCDC"
| Empress Charumitra
| [[Prinal Oberoi]]
| 2015-16
| [[Bindusara]]'s first wife; Ashok and Vitashoka's Step - Mother , [[Susima]]'s mother who cast spell on [[Subhadrangi|Dharma]]; Chanda's mother-in-law.
|-
| Queen Chanda
| [[Heena Parmar]]
| 2016
| Prince [[Susima]]'s wife.
|-
| Queen Subrasi
| [[Preet Kaur Madhan]]
| 2015-16
| [[Bindusara]]'s fourth wife; Dhrupad's mother.
|-
|- style="height: 5em;" bgcolor="#DCDCDC"
| Prince Dhrupad Maurya
| Ayaan Zubair Rahmani
| 2015-16
| Samrat [[Bindusara]] and Subrasi's son; [[Ashoka]], [[Vitashoka]] and [[Susima]]'s half-brother.
|-
| Samrat [[Chandragupta Maurya|Chandragupt Maurya]]
| [[Arhaan Behl]] (Cameo)
| 2015
| First [[Maurya Empire]]; [[Durdhara]] and Helena's husband; Justin and [[Bindusara|Bindusara Maurya]]'s father; [[Ashoka]] , [[Sushima]], [[Vitashoka]], Siyamak and Dhrupad grandfather.
|-
|- style="height: 5em;" bgcolor="#DCDCDC"
| Prince Justin Maurya
| [[Sumit Kaul]]
| 2015
| [[Chandragupta Maurya]] and Helena's son; Noor's secret Husband ; Agnishika's Ex - fiancé; Siamak's father; [[Bindusara]]'s half-brother.
|-
|- style="height: 5em;" bgcolor="#DCDCDC"
| Queen Noor Khorasan
| [[Ankita Sharma|Ankita M. Sharma]]
| 2015
| Justin's secret Wife ; Siamak's mother; [[Bindusara]]'s third wife; Khorason's daughter.
|-
|- style="height: 5em;" bgcolor="#DCDCDC"
|rowspan="2"|Prince Siamak Maurya
| Abhiram Nain
| 2016
| Justin and Noor's son; [[Bindusara]]'s foster son , Ashoka , Vitashoka , Sushim and Drupad's Half - Brother and Enemy .
|-
|- style="height: 5em;" bgcolor="#DCDCDC"
| MD Faizan Khan
| 2015-16
| Young Prince Siamak
|-
| Princess Ahenkara
| [[Tunisha Sharma]]
| 2015
| Princess of [[Ujjain]]; Niharika and Rajiraj's daughter; Aghnishika's cousin-sister; Sushim's ex-fiancée and Love Interest . Ashoka's friend.
|-
|rowspan="2"|Acharya Radhagupt
| [[Dakssh Ajit Singh]]
| 2016
| [[Ashoka]]'s Prime Minister and teacher; [[Chanakya]]'s disciple.
|-
| Jitendra Bohra
| 2015-16
| Young Acharya Radhagupt.
|-
| Mahamatya Khallatak
| Manoj Kolhatkar
| 2015-16
| [[Bindusara]]'s Prime Minister who supported [[Susima]] but later supported [[Ashoka]].
|-
|- style="height: 5em;" bgcolor="#DCDCDC"
| Nayak
| Unknown
| 2016
| Keechak's former commander who later supported [[Ashoka]]. He was killed by a bomb attack
|-
|- style="height: 5em;" bgcolor="#DCDCDC"
| Mir Khorason
| [[Vikrant Chaturvedi]]
| 2015-16
| [[Bindusara]]'s former commander; Noor's father; Siamak's maternal grandfather. He was killed by [[Susima]].
|-
|- style="height: 5em;" bgcolor="#DCDCDC"
| [[Seleucus I Nicator]]
| [[Tej Sapru]]
| 2015-16
| Helena's father; Justin's maternal grandfather; Siamak's great-grandfather. He was killed by [[Susima]].
|-
| King Jagannath
| Manoj Verma
| 2015-16
| King of [[Kalinga (historical region)|Kalinga]]; Vasudha's husband; [[Karuvaki]]'s father.
|-
| Queen Vasudha
| [[Alefia Kapadia]]
| 2015-16
| Queen of [[Kalinga (historical region)|Kalinga]]; Jagannath's wife; [[Karuvaki]]'s mother.
|-
|- style="height: 5em;" bgcolor="#DCDCDC"
| Acharya Akramak
| Sachin Verma
| 2015
| [[Ashoka]]'s guru in Royal Academy. He was killed during a war.
|-
|- style="height: 5em;" bgcolor="#DCDCDC"
| Acharya Devrath
| [[Rajesh Khera]]
| 2015-16
| [[Ashoka]]'s guru in [[Taxila]]. He was killed by Keechak.
|-
|- style="height: 5em;" bgcolor="#DCDCDC"
| Princess Agnishika
| [[Yashashri Masurkar]]
| 2015
| Shaktiraj's daughter; Ahenkara's elder cousin sister; Justin's ex-fiancée.
|-
|- style="height: 5em;" bgcolor="#DCDCDC"
| Queen Niharika
| [[Tapasya Nayak Srivastava]]
| 2015
| Queen of [[Ujjain]]; Rajadiraj's wife; Ahenkara's mother.
|-
|- style="height: 5em;" bgcolor="#DCDCDC"
| Amatya Ugrasain
| [[Shailesh Dattar]]
| 2015
| A spy of Justin and Helena later killed by them.
|-
|- style="height: 5em;" bgcolor="#DCDCDC"
| Raja Keechak
| [[Sudhanshu Pandey]]
| 2015-16
| Ruthless ruler of [[Taxila]]; Bahamani's husband; Vasantsena's brother; He was killed by [[Ashoka]].
|-
| Rani Bahamani
| [[Monica Sehgal]]
| 2015-16
| Keechak's wife who become queen of [[Taxila]] later.
|-
| Amatya Rakshas / Bodheeshwara Thero
| [[Amit Behl]]
| 2015-16
| He helps Helena first to make Justin sit on the throne. Later He pretends as a thero in [[Taxila]] and helped Keechak to kill Mauryas and to make Siamak the new Samrat.
|-
| Nirjhara
| [[Sonal Parihar]]
| 2015
| [[Chanakya]]'s spy who presented in court instead [[Subhadrangi|Dharma]].
|-
|- style="height: 5em;" bgcolor="#DCDCDC"
| Kasturi
| [[Praveen Kaur]]
| 2015-16
| [[Chanakya]]'s spy who supported Dharma. She was killed by Susima.
|-
| Daastan
| Rumi Khan
| 2015
| Noor's ex-lover who hands up with her to throne Siamak.
|-
|- style="height: 5em;" bgcolor="#DCDCDC"
| Uttar
| [[Harsh Khurana]]
| 2016
| Kondana's right hand who commits suicide.
|-
| Agnibahu
| [[Anand Goradia]]
| 2015-16
| Keechak's treasure.
|-
|}

===Special Appearances===
* [[Vijayakumar (Tamil actor)|Vijayakumar]]
* [[Raashi Khanna]]
* [[Rakul Preet Singh]]
* [[Sargun Mehta]]
* [[Santhanam (actor)|Santhanam]]

==Production and promotion==
The set was erected in [[Karjat]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Simulating regality |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/462594/simulating-regality.html |access-date=11 January 2021 |work=Deccan Herald |date=28 February 2015 |language=en}}</ref> The show was produced by [[Contiloe Entertainment]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Nandini Sharma |url=http://www.businessinsider.in/Chakravartin-Ashoka-Samrat-Debuts-on-Colors-Today-Here-Is-Why-You-Shouldnt-Miss-It/articleshow/46095763.cms |title=Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat Debuts on Colors Today! Here Is Why You Shouldn't Miss It | Business Insider India |publisher=Businessinsider.in |date=2 February 2015 |access-date=30 March 2015}}</ref> A team of at least 500 people worked on the series. Episodes were shot across Jaisalmer, Kerala, Mumbai's Film City and [[Karjat]]. A lightman died on the set in April 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/lightman-dies-on-the-sets-of-tv-show-ashoka/16146152 |title=Lightman dies on the sets of TV show 'Ashoka'|date=17 April 2015}}</ref>

''Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat ''was promoted on the comedy show [[Comedy Nights with Kapil]] on the occasion of [[Maha Shivaratri]] in February 2015<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/photos/entertainment-gallery/kapil-sharmas-special-guests-this-maha-shivratri/|title=Photos: Kapil Sharma's special guests this Maha Shivratri - The Indian Express|work=The Indian Express|access-date=3 March 2015|date=17 February 2015}}</ref> A game app "Ashoka:The Game" was launched by Colors TV in April 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.colors.ashoka&hl=en|title=Ashoka Android Game App|access-date=5 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/colorstv/status/585460830373720064|title=Bring out the brave king in you!|date=7 April 2015|access-date=5 January 2020}}</ref>

==Awards==
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Award show
!Category
!Result
|-
| rowspan="11" |2015
| rowspan="4" |[[Indian Telly Awards|Indian Telly Award]]
|Best Child Actor (Siddhart Nigam)
|{{Won}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Indian-Telly-Awards-2015-Karan-Patel-Kapil-Sharma-winners/articleshow/49977970.cms|title=Indian Telly Awards 2015: Karan Patel, Kapil Sharma winners - Times of India|work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>
|-
|Best Historical/Mythological Series
|{{Nom}}<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/indian-telly-awards-2015-nominations-divyanka-tripathi-karan-patel-shakti-arora-sriti-jha-anita-hassanandani-kapil-sharma-salman-khan-bigg-boss-jhalak-dikhhla-jaa-comedy-nights-with-kapil-noominated/1/527855.html|title=Nominations for Indian Telly Awards 2015 out; see who all have made the cut|work=India Today}}</ref>
|-
|Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Drama) (Sameer Dharmadhikari)
|{{Nom}}<ref name=":1" />
|-
|Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Drama) (Pallavi Subhash)
|{{Nom}}<ref name=":1" />
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[Zee Gold Awards]]
|Best Historical show
|{{Won}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/zee-gold-awards-2015-highlights-complete-winners-list-yeh-hai-mohabbatein-bags-most-honours-636621#7vG6u20wgUDzUGhz.97|title=Zee Gold Awards 2015 Highlights, Complete Winners' List: 'Yeh Hai Mohabbatein' Bags Most Honours; Karan-Divyanka's Romance Steals the Show|work=[[International Business Times]]|date=22 June 2015}}</ref>
|-
|Best Actor (Debut) (Siddhart Nigam)
|{{Won}}
|-
|rowspan="2" |Television Style Award
|Most Stylish Debut Siddharth Nigam
|{{Won}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Siddharth-Nigam-receives-the-Most-Stylish-Debut/articleshow/46664154.cms|title=Siddharth Nigam receives the 'Most Stylish Debut'|work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>
|-
|Best Costume Female Suzanne Bernert
|{{Nom}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Suzanne-Bernert-and-Sumit-Kaul-revel-in-their-fashion-glory/articleshow/46542191.cms|title=Suzanne Bernert and Sumit Kaul revel in their fashion glory|work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[BIG Star Entertainment Awards]]
|Most Entertaining Television Actor (Female) (Pallavi Subhash Shirke)
|{{Nom}}
|-
|Most Entertaining Television Actor (Male) (Siddhart Nigam)
|{{Nom}}
|-
|Most Entertaining Television Fiction Show
|{{Nom}}
|-
| rowspan="8" |2016
| rowspan="5" |Golden Petal Awards
|Best Parivaar (Contilow Entertainment)
|{{Won}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodlife.com/news-gossip/golden-petal-awards-2016-winners-list-varun-kapoor-helly-shah-and-mouni-roy-walk-away-with-the-trophies/|title=Golden Petal Awards 2016 winners list: Varun Kapoor, Helly Shah and Mouni Roy walk away with the trophies!|work=bollywoodlife.com|date=7 March 2016}}</ref>
|-
|Favourite Child Actor (Siddharth Nigam)
|{{Won}}
|-
|Favourite Child Actress (Reem Saikh)
|{{Nom}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/golden-petal-awards-2016-helly-shah-varun-kapoor-mouni-roy-others-nominated-669494#Prp2Sf2BMCzB0MCf.97|title=Golden Petal Awards 2016: Helly Shah, Varun Kapoor, Mouni Roy and others nominated|language=en|work=ibtimes.co.in|date=5 March 2016}}</ref>
|-
|Rising Debut Male (Siddharth Nigam)
|{{Nom}}
|-
|Best Actress in Supporting Role
(Pallavi Subhash)
|{{Won}}
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[Zee Gold Awards]]
|Best Supporting Actor (Male) (Sameer Dharmadhikari)
|{{Nom}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.filmibeat.com/television/news/2016/gold-awards-nomination-list-divyanka-sriti-varun-others-nominated-227684.html|title=Gold Awards 2016 Nomination List: Divyanka Tripathi, Sriti Jha, Varun Kapoor & Others Nominated|language=en|work=filmibeat.com|date=25 May 2016}}</ref>
|-
|Best Supporting Actor (Female) (Pallavi Subhash)
|{{Nom}}
|-
|Best Actor in a Negative Role (Female) (Prinal Oberoi)
|{{Nom}}
|}

==Critical reception==
''[[The Times of India]]'' praised [[Ashok Banker]]'s reconstruction filled historical gaps and stated that they provide "interesting fictional turns" for the show.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Chakravartin-Ashoka-Samrat/articleshow/47108230.cms|title=Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat - Times of India|website=The Times of India|access-date=5 January 2020}}</ref>

''Bollywood Life'' reviewer, Letty Mariam Abraham, gave the show 3 out of 5 stars; praising the sets, visual effects and production value of the show. She further heaped praise on child prodigy Siddharth Nigam as "undoubtedly a brilliant actor"; stating that "his agile body makes him the perfect actor for the role." Abraham gave her final verdict as "the show looks promising but has a lot of scope for improvement. I'd recommend that people watch this historical drama for Siddharth Nigam and the special effects of the show."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodlife.com/news-gossip/chakravartin-ashoka-samrat-tv-review-looks-promising-but-has-scope-for-improvement/|title=Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat TV review: Looks promising but has scope for improvement|publisher=Bollywoodlife.com|date=4 February 2015|access-date=17 January 2016|first=Letty|last=Mariam Abraham}}</ref>

India.com reviewer, Prathamesh Jadhav, stated "going by the opening episode we must confess that this elaborate drama looks rather promising with its interesting tale." He further stated, "What we liked though is the visuals and the diligence that has been put in by the special effects and VFX team. The work is seriously commendable." He gave his final verdict as "going by what we have seen [in] it one must admit that the show looks promising with its actors, its sets and the details that have gone into making a tele-series of this nature."<ref>{{cite book|last1=Jadhav|first1=Prathamesh|title=Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat makes an impressive debut on Colors: Read review|date=2 February 2015|publisher=India.com|url=http://www.india.com/showbiz/chakravartin-ashoka-samrat-makes-an-impressive-debut-on-colors-read-review-268296/|access-date=17 January 2016}}</ref>

Additionally it has been known to imitate its style and fictional characters from Game of Thrones.

==International broadcast==
* {{flagicon|Myanmar}} In [[Myanmar]], it airs under the title "ဘုန်းမီးနေလ မဟာအသောက" on [[5 plus]].
* {{flagicon|Cambodia}} In [[Cambodia]], it airs under the title ''ព្រះបាទអសោក'' on [[Cambodian Television Network]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ykM-eE3F4s|title=ព្រះបាទអសោក - ASHOKA - CTN Drama - India Drama Promote Trailer 2016|last=CTN TV Official Channel|date=3 March 2016|via=YouTube}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Indonesia}} In [[Indonesia]], it began airing under the title, ''Ashoka'' on 11 May 2015 on [[antv]].<ref>http://www.an.tv/antv-keren/ashoka</ref>
* {{flagicon|Sri Lanka}} In [[Sri Lanka]], it airs under the title, ''[[Adiraja Dharmashoka]]'' on [[TV Derana]] from 23 May 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.derana.lk/Adiraja-Dharmashoka-TV-Derana-Teledrama&vid=15739&page=1|title=www.derana.lk}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Thailand}} in [[Thailand]], it airs under the title, ''อโศกมหาราช'' on [[Channel 3 (Thailand)|Channel 3 Family]]
* {{flagicon|Việt Nam}} in [[Việt Nam|Vietnam]] it airs under the title, ''Ashoka Đại Đế'' on [[THVL]]1 at 12h00 trưa
* {{flagicon|Ghana}}in [[Ghana]] under the title Ashoka Samrat on [[Joy Prime]].
*{{flagicon|Kenya}} in [[Kenya]] on [[Kenya Broadcasting Corporation|KBC]] under the title Ashoka at 1830 hours.

==See also==
* [[Chandragupta Maurya (2011 TV series)]]
* [[Chanakya (TV series)]]
* [[Bharatvarsh (TV series)]]
* [[Chandra Nandini]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb title|tt4505268|Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat}}
*{{Facebook |Ashoka.ColorsTV}}

{{Colors Programmes}}

[[Category:Indian historical television series]]
[[Category:Indian period television series]]
[[Category:Colors TV original programming]]
[[Category:Hindi-language television shows]]
[[Category:Indian drama television series]]
[[Category:2015 Indian television series debuts]]
[[Category:Memorials to Ashoka]]
[[Category:2016 Indian television series endings]]
[[Category:Works about the Maurya Empire]]

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Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat