Ashoka Inscription (The Edicts of Ashoka) [NCERT Notes
- Ancient Indian History Notes For UPSC]
The great Emperor Ashoka, the third monarch of the Maurya dynasty converted to Buddhism after
witnessing the horrific effects of war in Kalinga. He became a champion and patron of Buddhism and
strove to spread Dhamma throughout his empire and beyond. He erected pillars and edicts all over the
subcontinent and even in modern-day Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan to spread the
Buddha’s word.
Ashokan Inscriptions (Rock Edicts)
James Prinsep, a British antiquary and colonial administrator was the first person to decipher Ashoka’s
edicts. These Ashoka's inscriptions are the first tangible evidence of Buddhism.
They were kept in public places and along trade routes so that the maximum number of people would
read them. More than religious discourses, they talk about the moral duties of the people, how to
conduct life, Ashoka’s desire to be a good and benevolent ruler, and Ashoka’s work towards this end.
There are 33 inscriptions in total and primarily classified into the following:
1. Major rock edicts
2. Minor rock edicts
3. Separate rock edicts
4. Major pillar edicts
5. Minor pillar edicts
• In the earlier half of his reign, the edicts were inscribed on conveniently located rock surfaces and were
distributed in the areas of public settlement, where people could easily read them and are referred to as
major and minor rock edicts.
• In the later part of his reign, the inscriptions were on well-polished monolithic pillars (from the sites of
Chunar, near Varanasi), each edict surmounted with a finely sculpted animal capital involving great
technological expertise in cutting and engraving and were mainly confined to the Ganges plain.
• The inscriptions were composed in the Prakrit language (in Magadhi, the dialect of Prakrit in Magadha)
and written in Brahmi script throughout the greater part of the empire. But in the north-western part, they
appear in Kharosthi script and in Kandahar in Afghanistan, they were written in Aramaic, in Greek script
and Greek language.
• Most of the inscriptions are about dhamma (Prakrit form of dharma, literally means the universal law or
righteousness or social and religious order) and it was inspired by the Buddhist Upasaka Dhamma (i.e, the
Buddhist teaching for the laity). Ashoka's dhamma emphasised non-violence, mutual respect and
understanding between people of different sects and beliefs. It included the state's concern for the welfare
of its people. The basic attributes of dhamma included compassion, charity, truthfulness, purity and
gentleness. He asked the people to extend respect, consideration, compassion and tolerance towards
slaves and servants, obedience to parents, generosity towards friends and relatives, regard and donations
to Brahmanas and Shramanas, a concern for all living beings and to abstain oneself from destroying life.
, Ashoka's Major Rock Edicts
Major Rock Edicts: There are 14 major rock edicts:
Edict Ashoka Inscription Details
Major
Rock Prohibition of animal sacrifice, especially during festive seasons.
Edict I
Major Medical treatment of humans and animals, planting of fruits,
Rock medicinal herbs and the digging of wells. Mentions the Pandyas,
Edict II Satyapuras and Keralaputras of South India.
Major Generosity to Brahmins. About Yuktas, Pradeshikas and Rajukas
Rock who would go every five years to different parts of his empire to
Edict III spread Dhamma.
Major Dhammaghosha (sound of Dhamma/righteousness) over
Rock Bherighosha (sound of war). The King Ashoka attached greatest
Edict IV value to his duty.
Major About Dhammamahamatras. Talks about treating slaves right. A
Rock special cadre of officials, Dhamma Gosha were appointed and
Edict V entrusted with the duty of spreading Dhamma within the kingdom.
Major
King’s desire to know about his people’s conditions. About welfare
Rock
measures.
Edict VI
Major
Rock Tolerance towards religions among all sects and welfare measures
Edict for the public in his as well as his neighbouring kingdoms.
VII
Major
Rock Ashoka’s first visit to Bodh Gaya and the Bodhi tree (his first
Edict Dhamma Yatra). Gave importance to Dhamma tours.
VIII
Major
Rock Condemns popular ceremonies. Stresses on moral conduct.
Edict IX
Major
Disapproves of the individual’s desire for fame and glory and
Rock
stresses on Dhamma.
Edict X
Major
Dhamma is the best policy to follow, which includes respect for
Rock
elders and concern for slaves and servants.
Edict XI
Major
Rock It mentions Mahamattas in charge of women's welfare, Ithijika
Edict Mahamatta and tolerance towards the dhamma of others.
XII
- Ancient Indian History Notes For UPSC]
The great Emperor Ashoka, the third monarch of the Maurya dynasty converted to Buddhism after
witnessing the horrific effects of war in Kalinga. He became a champion and patron of Buddhism and
strove to spread Dhamma throughout his empire and beyond. He erected pillars and edicts all over the
subcontinent and even in modern-day Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan to spread the
Buddha’s word.
Ashokan Inscriptions (Rock Edicts)
James Prinsep, a British antiquary and colonial administrator was the first person to decipher Ashoka’s
edicts. These Ashoka's inscriptions are the first tangible evidence of Buddhism.
They were kept in public places and along trade routes so that the maximum number of people would
read them. More than religious discourses, they talk about the moral duties of the people, how to
conduct life, Ashoka’s desire to be a good and benevolent ruler, and Ashoka’s work towards this end.
There are 33 inscriptions in total and primarily classified into the following:
1. Major rock edicts
2. Minor rock edicts
3. Separate rock edicts
4. Major pillar edicts
5. Minor pillar edicts
• In the earlier half of his reign, the edicts were inscribed on conveniently located rock surfaces and were
distributed in the areas of public settlement, where people could easily read them and are referred to as
major and minor rock edicts.
• In the later part of his reign, the inscriptions were on well-polished monolithic pillars (from the sites of
Chunar, near Varanasi), each edict surmounted with a finely sculpted animal capital involving great
technological expertise in cutting and engraving and were mainly confined to the Ganges plain.
• The inscriptions were composed in the Prakrit language (in Magadhi, the dialect of Prakrit in Magadha)
and written in Brahmi script throughout the greater part of the empire. But in the north-western part, they
appear in Kharosthi script and in Kandahar in Afghanistan, they were written in Aramaic, in Greek script
and Greek language.
• Most of the inscriptions are about dhamma (Prakrit form of dharma, literally means the universal law or
righteousness or social and religious order) and it was inspired by the Buddhist Upasaka Dhamma (i.e, the
Buddhist teaching for the laity). Ashoka's dhamma emphasised non-violence, mutual respect and
understanding between people of different sects and beliefs. It included the state's concern for the welfare
of its people. The basic attributes of dhamma included compassion, charity, truthfulness, purity and
gentleness. He asked the people to extend respect, consideration, compassion and tolerance towards
slaves and servants, obedience to parents, generosity towards friends and relatives, regard and donations
to Brahmanas and Shramanas, a concern for all living beings and to abstain oneself from destroying life.
, Ashoka's Major Rock Edicts
Major Rock Edicts: There are 14 major rock edicts:
Edict Ashoka Inscription Details
Major
Rock Prohibition of animal sacrifice, especially during festive seasons.
Edict I
Major Medical treatment of humans and animals, planting of fruits,
Rock medicinal herbs and the digging of wells. Mentions the Pandyas,
Edict II Satyapuras and Keralaputras of South India.
Major Generosity to Brahmins. About Yuktas, Pradeshikas and Rajukas
Rock who would go every five years to different parts of his empire to
Edict III spread Dhamma.
Major Dhammaghosha (sound of Dhamma/righteousness) over
Rock Bherighosha (sound of war). The King Ashoka attached greatest
Edict IV value to his duty.
Major About Dhammamahamatras. Talks about treating slaves right. A
Rock special cadre of officials, Dhamma Gosha were appointed and
Edict V entrusted with the duty of spreading Dhamma within the kingdom.
Major
King’s desire to know about his people’s conditions. About welfare
Rock
measures.
Edict VI
Major
Rock Tolerance towards religions among all sects and welfare measures
Edict for the public in his as well as his neighbouring kingdoms.
VII
Major
Rock Ashoka’s first visit to Bodh Gaya and the Bodhi tree (his first
Edict Dhamma Yatra). Gave importance to Dhamma tours.
VIII
Major
Rock Condemns popular ceremonies. Stresses on moral conduct.
Edict IX
Major
Disapproves of the individual’s desire for fame and glory and
Rock
stresses on Dhamma.
Edict X
Major
Dhamma is the best policy to follow, which includes respect for
Rock
elders and concern for slaves and servants.
Edict XI
Major
Rock It mentions Mahamattas in charge of women's welfare, Ithijika
Edict Mahamatta and tolerance towards the dhamma of others.
XII
