Rule in accordance with the religious principles or by priesthood is described as​

Priesthood, the office of a priest, a ritual expert learned in a special knowledge of the technique of worship and accepted as a religious and spiritual leader.

A theocracy is a type of government where one or more priests rule in the name of a deity. A god or goddess is recognized as the supreme ruler, and the laws based on religious law. Democracies are considered to be the opposite of theocracies.

Explanation:

the correct answer is "c": the pillars proclaimed his regret at the bloodshed at the battle of kalinga and his conversion to buddhism.

the kalinga war is considered as one of the largest battles in the history of india. it was fought between the between the maurya empire, which ruled the lands of what is now known as india at the time, and the independent feudal kingdom of kalinga.

the army of maurya empire, led by its king ashoka, fought a prolonged war against kalinga. the war ended around 262 bce with the victory of the maurya empire. it is believed that ashoka, after having witnessed the loss of many lives during this war, felt deep responsibility and eventually converted into buddhism.