Edicts of Ashoka [268-232 BCE]

What are the Edicts of Ashoka?

The Edicts of Ashoka are a collection of more than thirty inscriptions engraved on pillars, large stones, and cave walls by Ashoka the Great (268-232 BCE), the third ruler of the Mauryan Empire. These edicts were created to spread his concept of Dhamma.

The edicts were distributed across Ashoka’s vast empire, which included modern-day India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and parts of Afghanistan. Most were inscribed in the Brahmi script, though one edict in Afghanistan appears in Aramaic and Greek.

Purpose of Ashoka’s Edicts

The main purpose of Ashoka’s Edicts was to spread the message of Dhamma (righteous living) and encourage people to follow moral and ethical values. Although they mention Buddhism and Gautama Buddha, the focus is on simple values like kindness, truthfulness, non-violence, and respect for others, rather than religious rituals or deep philosophy. These inscriptions were placed in public places so everyone could read and understand them.

Types of Edicts of Ashoka

• Pillar Edicts: Inscribed on tall pillars, typically found in public places.
• Rock Edicts: Divided into Major and Minor categories:
  • Major Rock Edicts: Inscribed on large rocks and cover various aspects of governance, morality, and Ashoka‘s conversion to Buddhism.
  • Minor Rock Edicts: Older than the Major Rock Edicts, these inscriptions provide insights into Ashoka’s early reign and initial efforts to promote dharma.
• Cave Edicts: Inscribed in Barabar Hill Caves. These Inscriptions are some of the oldest rock-cut caves in India, located about 15 miles north of Gaya in South Bihar. These caves were carved out of granite.

Geographic and Linguistic Diversity of Edicts of Ashoka

• Central and Eastern India: Edicts were written in the Magadhi Prakrit language using the Brahmi script.
• North-Western India: Inscriptions were in Prakrit using the Kharoshthi script, and a few were in Greek and Aramaic languages using their respective scripts.
• Kandahar Rock Inscription: It is among the earliest-known edicts, inscribed around the 8th year of Ashoka’s reign (260 BCE) in Greek and Aramaic in Kandahar, modern Afghanistan.

Geographical Spread of Ashokan Edicts

Regions Covered	Languages and Scripts	Location
Central and Eastern India	Language: Magadhi Prakrit Script: Brahmi	Dhauli and Jaugada Edicts: Located in Odisha, (Major Rock Edicts) Kumhrar and Lauriya-Araraj in Bihar (Pillar Edicts)
Northern India	Language: Magadhi Prakrit Script: Brahmi	Allahabad Delhi-Topra Pillar Edicts These pillars convey Ashoka’s messages on dharma and governance.
Western India	Language: Magadhi Prakrit Script: Brahmi	Girnar Rock Edicts: Located in Gujarat Sopara Pillar Edict: Found in Maharashtra
Southern India	Language: Magadhi Prakrit Script: Brahmi	Nittur and Udegolam Minor Rock Edicts: Located in Karnataka
North-Western part of Indian Subcontinent	Prakrit language using the Kharoshthi script. Greek language using Greek script. Aramaic language using Aramaic script.	Shahbazgarhi and Mansehra Rock Edicts: Located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, inscribed in Kharoshthi script. Kandahar Rock Inscription: Found in Afghanistan, this is the first known edict written in Greek and Aramaic, dating back to the 10th year of Ashoka’s reign (260 BCE).

Rock Edicts of Ashoka

The Rock Edicts of Ashoka are a series of inscriptions carved on natural rocks during the reign of Emperor Ashoka. These edicts are one of the most significant sources of information about Ashoka’s rule, his policies, and his concept of Dhamma.

Major Rock Edicts of Ashoka

The Major Rock Edicts of Emperor Ashoka is a set of 14 significant inscriptions that provide detailed insights into his reign and policies. Chronologically, these Major Rock Edicts were issued after the Minor Rock Edicts.

Major Rock Edicts of Ashoka	Content
Major Rock Edict I	It is said that no living beings are to be slaughtered or offered in sacrifice, especially during festive gatherings.
Major Rock Edict II	1. Medical treatment for humans and animals. Digging of wells, and planting of trees for the benefit of humans and animals. 2. Descriptions of Kingdoms outside the Mauryan Empire like Chola, Pandyas, Satyapura, Keralputra, and Tamraparni. 3. The Greek king Antiochus II, the ruler of the Seleucid Empire, is mentioned in Major Rock Edict II.
Major Rock Edict III	It is mentioned that the Yuktas, Rajukas, and Pradeshikas would go everywhere in the empire every five years to spread the Dhamma.
Major Rock Edict IV	Instructs his successors to follow Dhamma and uphold Ashoka’s vision.
Major Rock Edict V	Appointment of officers called Dhammamahamatras tasked with promoting and enforcing Dhamma.
Major Rock Edict VI	Reporters are ordered to report to the King the affairs of the people at any time.
Major Rock Edict VII	Tolerance towards every religion
Major Rock Edict VIII	1. Ashoka started the Dhamma Yatra (ten years after his coronation) in place of pleasure tours during which there was hunting and other entertainment. 2. He visited Sambodhi (the site of Buddha‘s enlightenment in Bodh Gaya). 3. He built the Diamond Throne in Bodh Gaya at the place where Buddha attained enlightenment.
Major Rock Edict IX	It condemns the popular ceremonies (like ceremonies after birth, illness, marriage, and before setting out on a journey) and calls them worthless.
Major Rock Edict X	It condemns fame and glory unless they are achieved through practising Dhamma.
Major Rock Edict XI	1. proper courtesy to slaves and servants 2. obedience to mother and father 3. liberality to friends, and relatives, to Sramanas and Brahmanas 4. abstention from killing animals
Major Rock Edict XII	tolerance and mutual respect to followers of different faiths
Major Rock Edict XIII	Asoka’s victory in the Kalinga War; Describes Ashoka’s remorse for the loss of life during the Kalinga War (262 – 261 BC) Greek Rulers Mentioned: 1. Amtiyoga or Amtiyaka (Antiochus II Theos, Seleucid Empire, r. 261 – 246 BC) 2. Tulamaya (Ptolemy III Euergetes, Egypt, r. 246 – 222 BC) 3. Antekina (Antigonus Gonatus, Macedonia, r. 277 – 239 BC) 4. Maka (Magas of Cyrene, r. 276 – 250 BC) 5. Alikyashudala (possibly Alexander II of Epirus, r. 272 – 255 BC) Mentions the spread of Dhamma among the Cholas, Pandyas, and as far as Ceylon A Multilingual Inscription; Also written in Greek in the Kandahar Edict
Major Rock Edict XIV	Purpose of the inscriptions

Minor Rock Edicts

The Minor Rock Edicts of Ashoka are some of the earliest inscriptions associated with Emperor Ashoka. These inscriptions date back to the 11th year of his reign, around 258 BCE. Written in the Brahmi script, these edicts represent Ashoka’s initial efforts to communicate his policies and moral teachings in the Indian language.

Minor Rock Edicts of Ashoka	Content
Minor Rock Edict No.1	In this Edict, Ashoka describes himself as a Buddhist layman (Upasaka). Upasaka is the title of followers of Buddhism who undertake certain vows except for monks, nuns, or novice monastics.
Minor Rock Edict No.2	The Rajuka [rural officer] is instructed to assemble the people of the countryside and instruct them to – 1. Obey mother and father, 2. obey the teachers, 3. have mercy on living beings, 4. speak the truth.
Minor Rock Edict No.3 (also known as the Bhabru Edict)	Location: Found only at Bairat, near the Bairat Temple, which is possibly the oldest free-standing temple in India. Sometimes referred to as the “Calcutta-Bairāt inscription.” Key Messages: Ashoka expresses his great reverence and faith in the Buddha, the Dharma (Buddhist teachings), and the Sangha (the community of monks). Recommended Scriptures: Ashoka encourages the study of several important Buddhist texts, including: Vinaya-Samukasa: “The Exaltation of Discipline” Aliya-vasas: “The Ideal Mode of Life” Anagata-bhayas: “Fears to Come” Muni-gathas: “The Songs of the Hermit” Moneya-Suta: “Discourse on the Hermit Life” Upatisa-pasina: “The Questions of Upatishya” Laghulovada: “The Sermon to Rahula” (focuses on truthfulness) Ashoka wishes for monks, nuns, as well as laymen and laywomen to repeatedly listen to and reflect on these teachings.

Ashoka Pillar Edicts UPSC

Ashoka’s Pillar Edicts consist of seven edicts that convey his policies and messages, primarily written in Prakrit using the Brahmi script. However, the inscriptions found in Afghanistan were written in Aramaic. These edicts highlight his efforts to spread Dhamma (moral values), promote welfare, and communicate with his subjects across the vast Mauryan Empire. Notably, the Bull Pillar of Rampurva does not contain any inscriptions.

7 Pillar Edicts of Ashoka

Pillar Edicts of Ashoka	Content
Major Pillar Edict I	Asoka’s principle of protection of the people
Major Pillar Edict II	Prescribe duties and responsibilities of Rajukas, who would go every five years to different parts of the empire to spread Dhamma
Major Pillar Edict III	Defines dhamma as a minimum of sins, many virtues, compassion, liberality, truthfulness, and purity
Major Pillar Edict IV	Discusses the appointment of Dhamma Mahamatras (officials) to propagate moral values and care for society’s well-being.
Major Pillar Edict V	Focuses on the duties of Dhamma Mahamatras, who were appointed to oversee welfare measures for the poor, aged, women, and prisoners. Promotes the humane treatment of prisoners and encourages reforms in their lives.
Major Pillar Edict VI	Dhamma Policy
Major Pillar Edict VII	Works done by Asoka for Dhamma Policy. He says that all sects desire both self-control and purity of mind. This edict only appears on the Delhi-Topra pillar.

Archaeological and Cultural Significance of Ashokan Edicts

• Discovery and Decipherment: Rediscovered in the 19th century and deciphered by British archaeologist and historian James Prinsep.
• Scholarly Contributions: E. Hultzsch, a German Indologist and epigraphist, is renowned for deciphering and translating Ashoka’s inscriptions.
• Cultural Impact: The edicts provide valuable insights into ancient India’s social, political, and religious life and the spread of Buddhism.

Ashokan Edicts at a Glance

Feature	Details
Period	268 BCE – 232 BCE
Locations	Modern Day India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan, Pakistan
Deciphered By	James Prinsep (British archaeologist and historian)
Languages and Scripts	– Magadhi Prakrit (Brahmi Script); central and eastern parts of India
	– Prakrit (Kharoshthi Script)
	– Greek, Aramaic (northwest), – Kandahar (Afghanistan) Bilingual Rock Inscription (260 BCE)
Key Themes	– Ashoka’s conversion to Buddhism
	– Spread of Buddhism
	– Moral and social precepts
	– Social and animal welfare programs
Ashoka’s Titles in Inscriptions	Devanampiya (“Beloved of the Gods”), Piyadasi Asokaraja
Identification of Ashoka	Maski Inscription (Raichur, Karnataka), Gujarra Inscription (Datia, Madhya Pradesh)
Purpose	Public dissemination of Ashoka’s policies and moral guidelines
Themes of the Inscriptions	Conversion to Buddhism
	Spread of Buddhist dhamma
	Moral and religious precepts
	Social and animal welfare programs

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