Ashoka, the great Mauryan Emperor of India use the perception of dhamma to avoid resorting to violence? describe how?

According to the stories which surround Ashoka, he starts his rule in fratricidal bloodshed and violence towards the conquered people. Yet in a short period of time, Ashoka changed his policies completely to become a model ruler. By modifying a concept which was well known amongst the Hindus, Buddhists and Jains of his time (the perception of dharma or dhamma), he developed a unique system for governing the biggest Indian empire of ancient times. While Ashoka's dhamma policy was avowedly peaceful and paternalistic, it gave India decades of peace in which the country prospered. It was not a vaguely idealistic policy however one which was backed by brilliantly pragmatic statesmanship and public relations.