Important Edicts and Inscriptions

Ashokan Edicts and Inscriptions

Ashokan Inscriptions

Emperor Ashoka, a formidable ruler of the Maurya dynasty, underwent a profound conversion to Buddhism following the harrowing consequences of the Kalinga war. The three types of inscriptions associated with Ashoka are cave inscriptions, pillar edicts, and rock edicts.

In the ‘Bhabru Edict,’ Ashoka articulated his faith in Buddhism’s Three Jewels. To disseminate Buddha’s ethical teachings, Ashoka erected pillars and edicts in diverse regions encompassing present-day Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. His commitment to Dhamma, a way of life derived from Buddha’s teachings, became the cornerstone of his reign, emphasizing compassion, kindness, and ethical governance, as outlined in his 14 edicts.

Ashokan Inscriptions: Rock Edicts

The 33 writings of Ashoka, categorized into Major Rock Edicts, Minor Rock Edicts, Major Pillar Edicts, and Minor Pillar Edicts, convey Ashoka’s thoughts on societal and governmental functioning.

Decoded by James Princep in 1837, these edicts transcend mere religious proclamations, addressing societal norms. Placed in public spaces and along trade routes, they aimed at a widespread readership.

1. Major Rock Edicts

Ashoka’s primary rock inscriptions elaborate on his vision for peaceful coexistence through adherence to Dhamma. There are approximately 14 detailed and extensive rock writings, excluding the Kandahar Greek writing, strategically placed along the borders of Ashoka’s rule.

Rock Edict	Features Inscribed
I	Prohibits killing animals, especially during celebrations.
II	Mentions South Indian kingdoms and emphasizes social welfare initiatives like medical care, planting fruits, and building wells.
III	Acknowledges freedom for Brahmanas and outlines the periodic visits of officials to promote Dhamma.
IV	Expresses a preference for peaceful sounds (Dhammaghosa) over the sounds of war (Berighosa).
V	Advocates kindness from masters towards slaves, appoints Dhamma Mahamatras, and emphasizes the spread of Dhamma within the kingdom.
VI	Reflects concern for the people’s well-being.
VII	Promotes tolerance towards all religions and sects.
VIII	Narrates Ashoka’s visit to Bodh Gaya, emphasizing contact with rural people through Dharma yatras.
IX	Emphasizes people’s moral behavior and discourages expensive ceremonies.
X	Condemns the desire for fame.
XI	Discusses Dhamma as the best policy, emphasizing respect for elders and care for slaves and servants.
XII	Mentions officials in charge of women’s welfare and advocates religious tolerance.
XIII	Explains the Kalinga war and Ashoka’s transformation into a promoter of peace, citing victories over Greek Kings and other kingdoms.
XIV	Discusses the purpose of inscriptions in various parts of the country.

2. Minor Rock Edicts:

The Minor Rock Edicts are engraved on 15 rocks located in both India and Afghanistan, predating the Major Rock Edicts.

These inscriptions provide insights into Ashoka’s life and offer a concise summary of his dhamma.

Primarily found in locations such as Maski (Andhra Pradesh), Brahmagiri (Karnataka), Sasaram (Bihar), Rupanath (Madhya Pradesh), and Bhabru-Bairat (Rajasthan), these writings reveal Ashoka’s self-designation as the “Beloved Servant of God” (Devanam Piyadasi).

Notably, an inscription in Maski explicitly confirms Devanampiyadasi as Ashoka. Ashoka uses his name sparingly, appearing in only four places: Maski (AP), Brahmagiri (Karnataka), Gujjara (MP), and Nettur (AP).

Minor Rock Edict number 3 enumerates essential Buddhist texts for regular study by the Buddhist clergy. Despite their brevity, the inscriptions’ quality is not uniformly high.

3. Major Pillar Edicts:

The Major Pillar Edicts, seven in total, are specifically inscribed on the Pillars of Ashoka.

These follow the Major Rock Edicts and Minor Rock Edicts chronologically, originating from the final period of Ashoka’s rule.

Predominantly located in Central India, with two exceptions, these inscriptions employ two types of stones: spotted white sandstone from Mathura and buff-colored sandstone and quartzite from Amaravati (mostly from Chunar).

The pillars, fashioned from single stones with polished surfaces, share similar sizes and shapes. Found in various locations, including Kandahar (Afghanistan), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Pakistan), Delhi, Vaishali, Champaran (Bihar), Sarnath, Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh), Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh), and Sanchi (Madhya Pradesh), they bear essential Buddhist symbols such as elephants, lions, wheels, and lotuses.

A crowned animal is supported by a platform (abacus) at the top of the bell capital.

Major Pillar Edicts and their features:

• Pillar Edict I: Ashoka’s principles regarding the protection of his people.
• Pillar Edict II: Defines Dhamma as the avoidance of sins, possession of compassion, liberty, virtues, purity, and truthfulness.
• Pillar Edict III: Abolishes sins such as harshness, anger, cruelty, etc.
• Pillar Edict IV: Mentions the duties of Rajukas.
• Pillar Edict V: Lists animals and plants that should not be killed on certain occasions and describes the release of 25 prisoners by Ashoka (also known as Delhi-Topra Pillar Edict).
• Pillar Edict VI: Explains the policy of Dhamma for the welfare of the people.
• Pillar Edict VII: Emphasizes tolerance towards all religious sects.

4. Minor Pillar Edicts:

The Minor Pillar Edicts encompass five inscriptions on the pillars of Ashoka, succeeding the Minor Rock Edicts.

Originating from the initial period of Ashoka’s reign, they include the Schism Edicts warning of punishment for dissent in the Samgha, the Queen’s Edicts crediting gifts from the Queens, the Nigali Sagar Pillar Inscriptions highlighting Ashoka’s dedication to increasing the height of Kanakamuni Buddha, and the Rummindei Pillar Inscriptions mentioning Ashoka’s visit to Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha.

Ashoka’s Edicts: Linguistic Diversity

• Only three languages were used in the Ashoka edicts – Prakrit, Aramaic, and Greek.
• Most of the Ashoka inscriptions were in Prakrit language written in Brahmi script (left to right).
• Mansehra and Shabazgiri in the northwest are the only scripts in Kharosthi (right to left).
• Inscriptions in Afghanistan were bilingual i.e., written in both Greek and Aramaic script.
  • Example: The Kandhar rock inscription.

Significant Features of the Ashokan Edicts

• Asoka’s edicts depict him as a parental figure, highlighting the king-subject relationship as that of a father and child.
• Despite his diverse religious interests, Ashoka criticised meaningless rituals and sacrifices.
• He encouraged generosity and kindness toward both ascetics (sramanas) and priests (Brahmins).
• Ashoka stressed upon the importance of upholding social duties and civic morals.
• Several major rock edicts discuss various aspects of the Ashoka Dhamma, alongside discussions on being compassionate and humane.

Important Facts of the Ashoka Edicts

• In Ashoka edicts, the emperor (Ashoka) refers to himself as Devanampiya Piyadasi which means beloved of Gods.
• The name Ashoka is explicitly mentioned only in three rock edicts which are in Maski, Gujjara, and Nittur.
• Ashoka was the first king to make a direct connection to the people via his inscriptions.
• These inscriptions were mostly placed on the ancient highways.

Other Important Edicts and Inscriptions

Sohgaura Copper Plate

• The Sohgaura copper plate, an ancient Mauryan record, references relief efforts during a famine.
• It is among the few pre-Ashoka Brahmi inscriptions found in India.

Rummindei Pillar Edicts (Lumbini, Nepal)

• The inscriptions, categorised as Minor Pillar Inscriptions, are dedicated to nature.
• They record Ashoka’s trip to Lumbini (Rummindei), the birthplace of Lord Buddha in Nepal’s Rupandehi district.
• Ashoka exempted Lumbini from taxes and established its grain contribution at one-eighth.
• These inscriptions are inscribed in the Brahmi script.

Mehrauli Pillar Inscription/ Garuda Pillar

• The Mehrauli Iron Pillar was originally positioned near the Beas River and later moved to Delhi by a Delhi king.
• Its construction using rust-resistant metals is a notable feature.
• The pillar commemorates Chandragupta’s triumph over the Vanga Countries and his victory over the Vakatakas.
• Chandragupta-II of the Gupta dynasty dedicated this pillar to honour Lord Vishnu.

Allahabad Pillar Inscription (Prayag Prasasti)

• “Prayag” signifies a meeting place, an ancient name for Allahabad, where the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers converge.
• Prasasti is a tribute or eulogy.
• The Allahabad Prasasti was originally engraved on the Ashokan Pillar in Kaushambi near Allahabad and was later moved to the Allahabad fort.
• Despite being an Ashokan Stambh, it contains four different inscriptions, including Persian inscriptions from Jahangir’s era.

Kalsi Inscription

• Kalsi, situated by the Yamuna River between Chakrata and Dehradun, holds historical significance.
• Ashoka’s inscriptions at Kalsi represent the only complete set of fourteen rock edicts in North India.
• The edicts are in the Prakrit language and Brahmi script.
• Reflecting his conversion to Buddhism, Ashoka’s rock edicts demonstrate a humane approach to internal governance.

Maski Inscription

• Maski, situated in Karnataka’s Raichur district, is an archaeological site located on the banks of the Maski River.
• The site houses a minor rock edict of Emperor Ashoka, which notably features Ashoka’s name directly.
• The inscription, still a dharma shasana, advises people to adhere to the principles of Buddhism.

Kalinga Edicts

• Kalinga, located in present-day Odisha, bears witness to its ancient heritage that spans over a thousand years.
• The Kalinga War marked a turning point in Ashoka’s life.
• Among the set of Rock Edicts, eleven of Ashoka’s famous fourteen Rock Edicts are present.

Aihole Inscriptions

• Aihole in Karnataka served as the first capital of the Chalukyas.
• Numerous inscriptions were found at Aihole, with the Aihole inscription at Meguti Temple witnessing several significant historical events during the Chalukya period.

Junagarh Rock Inscription

• Rudradaman’s Junagarh Rock inscription, written around the mid-second century AD, is one of the early examples of pure Sanskrit.
• It talks about the building of a dam on Sudarshana Lake near Girnar in Kathiawar.

Nasik Inscription

• Gautamiputra Satkarni’s mother, Gautami Balasri, documented his achievements in the Nasik Inscription.
• The Nasik Prasasti confirms Gautamiputra as the ruler.

Hathigumpha Inscription

• King Kharavela wrote the Hathigumpha Inscription during the second century BCE in Odisha’s Udayagiri-Khandagiri Caves.
• The Hathigumpha Inscription is the sole Indian inscription that provides year-by-year details of a ruler’s achievements.

Ben Sagar/ Vidisha Inscription

• Located at the ancient site of Vidisha in present Madhya Pradesh state.
• This pillar inscription was constructed by Heliodorus, the Greek ambassador and belongs to the Sunga period (2nd century BC).

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