<P> In the year 185 BCE, about fifty years after Ashoka's death, the last Maurya ruler, Brihadratha, was assassinated by the commander - in - chief of the Mauryan armed forces, Pushyamitra Shunga, while he was taking the Guard of Honor of his forces . Pushyamitra Shunga founded the Shunga dynasty (185 - 75 BCE) and ruled just a fragmented part of the Mauryan Empire . Many of the northwestern territories of the Mauryan Empire (modern - day Afghanistan and Northern Pakistan) became the Indo - Greek Kingdom . </P> <P> King Ashoka, the third monarch of the Indian Mauryan dynasty, is also considered as one of the most exemplary rulers who ever lived . </P> <P> One of the more enduring legacies of Ashoka was the model that he provided for the relationship between Buddhism and the state . Emperor Ashoka was seen as a role model to leaders within the Buddhist community . He not only provided guidance and strength, but he also created personal relationships with his supporters . Throughout Theravada Southeastern Asia, the model of rulership embodied by Ashoka replaced the notion of divine kingship that had previously dominated (in the Angkor kingdom, for instance). Under this model of' Buddhist kingship', the king sought to legitimise his rule not through descent from a divine source, but by supporting and earning the approval of the Buddhist sangha . Following Ashoka's example, kings established monasteries, funded the construction of stupas, and supported the ordination of monks in their kingdom . Many rulers also took an active role in resolving disputes over the status and regulation of the sangha, as Ashoka had in calling a conclave to settle a number of contentious issues during his reign . This development ultimately led to a close association in many Southeast Asian countries between the monarchy and the religious hierarchy, an association that can still be seen today in the state - supported Buddhism of Thailand and the traditional role of the Thai king as both a religious and secular leader . Ashoka also said that all his courtiers always governed the people in a moral manner . </P> <P> According to the legends mentioned in the 2nd - century CE text Ashokavadana, Ashoka was not non-violent after adopting Buddhism . In one instance, a non-Buddhist in Pundravardhana drew a picture showing the Buddha bowing at the feet of Nirgrantha Jnatiputra (identified with Mahavira, 24th Tirthankara of Jainism). On complaint from a Buddhist devotee, Ashoka issued an order to arrest him, and subsequently, another order to kill all the Ajivikas in Pundravardhana . Around 18,000 followers of the Ajivika sect were executed as a result of this order . Sometime later, another Nirgrantha follower in Pataliputra drew a similar picture . Ashoka burnt him and his entire family alive in their house . He also announced an award of one dinara (silver coin) to anyone who brought him the head of a Nirgrantha heretic . According to Ashokavadana, as a result of this order, his own brother was mistaken for a heretic and killed by a cowherd . However, for several reasons, scholars say, these stories of persecutions of rival sects by Ashoka appear to be clear fabrications arising out of sectarian propaganda . </P>

Emperor who made buddhism the state religion in india in 250 bc
find me the text answering this question