Although he won the war, Ashoka realized the futility of war. He saw the bloodshed and suffering of the soldiers' families. He vowed never to fight again. He converted to Buddhism and he dedicated his later life to help his subjects. He left the conquest after winning a war. He wrote inscriptions for wanting that his son and grandson also never to think about war. He decided to observe Dhamma (a common code of conduct). He was also inspired by the teachings of Buddha. He sent many Buddhist scholars to distant lands in order to propogate Dhamma.