Table of Contents
Introduction: Edicts of Ashoka
The Edicts of Ashoka are inscriptions on pillars, boulders, and cave walls created by Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan dynasty during the 3rd century BCE. These inscriptions were intended to disseminate his policies and promote Buddhism.
Ashoka used these edicts to communicate his philosophies and guidelines for ethical conduct, governance, and religious tolerance across his vast empire.
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 |
Types of Edicts of Ashoka
- Pillar Edicts: Inscribed on tall pillars, typically found in public places.
- Rock Edicts: Divided into Major and Minor categories:
- Cave Edicts: Inscribed in caves, often directed at specific groups like monks and nuns, emphasizing personal and religious instructions.
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). |
Major Rock Edicts
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 | 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 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. |
Major Pillar Edicts
| 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 | A list of animals and birds that should not be killed on certain days, and another list of animals that should not be killed on all occasions. Describes the release of 25 prisoners by Ashoka. |
| Major Pillar Edict V | A list of animals and birds which should not be killed on certain days, and another list of animals which have not to be killed on all occasions. Describes the release of 25 prisoners by Ashoka. |
| 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 the social, political, and religious life of ancient India and the spread of Buddhism.