Asoka recognized proselytism by peaceful means as a state duty.
He was greatly helped in his proselytism by his two wives, one a Nepal princess, daughter of King Jyoti varma, the other an imperial daughter of China; afterwards, they being childless, he took two more princesses from the Ru-yong (= "left corner " o) and Man (general appellative for the nations between Tibet and the Indian plains) countries.
He seems to have acted with prudence and moderation during the conversion of his kingdom and did not countenance compulsory proselytism.
Missions are however a far greater thing after all than simple proselytism.
Territorial ambition combined with the spirit of proselytism and with the greed of commerce to fill all Portuguese minds with the dream of a mighty Oriental empire.