Karuvaki

Karuvaki
Empress consort of the Maurya Empire
Born	3rd century BCE Kalinga, India
Spouse	Ashoka
Issue	Tivala (son)
House	Maurya
Religion	Buddhism

Karuvaki (Odia: Karubaki, Sanskrit: Charuvaki) was the second queen of the third Mauryan emperor, Ashoka. She was also the mother of Ashoka's second son, Prince Tivala.

Biography

According to historian M.N. Das, Karuvaki was a fisherman's daughter who converted to Buddhism and became a sanyasini. Following Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism, he married her and made her his queen. She had guided Ashoka towards his religious leanings. Along with being religious, she took an active part in philanthropy and was famous for her charity, and for her interest in Buddhist teachings.

Karuvaki's religious and charitable donations were greatly admired by her husband, who commanded the Mahamatras (senior officials) that her donations should be regarded by all officials concerned as her act and deed, redounding to her accumulation of merit.

Karuvaki was immortalized in the Queen Edict (one of Ashoka's many edicts carved on pillars throughout his empire), wherein the Mauryan emperor states that he was changing his lifestyle "on the advice of my queen Karuvaki." Ashoka further states that on her advice, he was embarking on a series of welfare measures for the people.

The edict also identifies her as mother to their son, Prince Tivala (also referred to as Tivara), who is the only son of Ashoka mentioned by name in his inscriptions. The inference being that, Karuvaki, was the favourite and the mother of the prince who would've succeeded his father but who probably predeceased him.

Karuvaki must have been a powerful woman as she is the only queen of Ashoka, who holds the distinction of being named in his inscriptions and edicts.

In popular culture

• Karuvaki is portrayed by Kareena Kapoor in the 2001 Bollywood film, Aśoka.
• Reem Sheikh portrays Karuvaki in Colors TV's 2015 historical drama, Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat.