Dhauli is located in the ancient territory of Kalinga, now the state of Orissa, Which the emperor Ashoka Maurya (reigned 272-231 BC).
conquered with appalling loss of life in about 260 BC. Thereafter Ashoka repented of the violence Which he had done, and converted to Buddhism.
He expresso his remorse, and his intention to govern the kingdom According to the principles of his new faith, in a series of rock-cut edicts he Caused to be inscribed on over 100 monuments throughout his vast kingdom.
The importance of Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism in the 3d century BC can only be paralleled, in the West, by Constantine's conversion to Christianity in the 4th century AD.
The Dhauli monument, "It was based on photographs, by which we arrive at similar model, sculpted by us, for entertainment purpose and inspiration to the artist who will lead your scene its own creation, respecting the belief in which the monument is represented".