Ashoka is one of the greatest emperors India ever had. He was the third successor of the Mauryan Empire. He followed the path of Buddhism after the famous Kalinga War (260 BCE). The war led to the mass destruction of mankind. Candidates can check other NCERT Notes on Ancient History of India for the UPSC IAS Prelims and Mains Exam

After witnessing the horrifying after effects, guilt-ridden Ashoka accepted the trail of Dhamma. He became a promoter of Buddhism and chose to spread Dhamma in every part of the world.

He assembled pillars and edicts all over the country. These edicts are also present in today’s Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh preaching about Lord Buddha’s teachings. This article speaks about Ashoka’s edicts in detail.

Ashoka’s Edicts

A total of 33 inscriptions are inscribed on monoliths, poles and cavern walls by Ashoka. Most of them are written in Brahmi script except one which is carved in Aramaic and Greek (located in Afghanistan). James Prinsep, an archaeologist and an official of East India Company was the first one to construe the edicts.

These epitaphs were constructed along trade routes so that majority of people could read them. The motive behind these edicts was to show Emperor Ashoka’s faithfulness towards peace by following Buddhism and to make individuals aware of Dhamma.

Dialect of Ashoka Edicts

• The engravings in the eastern part of the Mauryan empire were carved in the Magadhi language in Brahmi script
• In the western part, they were written in Prakrit in Kharoshti script.
• One of the inscriptions present in Afghanistan was inscribed in Aramaic and Greek.

Classification of Ashoka’s Inscriptions

There are four engravings:

• Major Pillar edicts of Ashoka
• Minor Pillar edicts of Ashoka
• Major Rock edicts of Ashoka
• Minor Rock edicts of Ashoka

Minor rock and minor pillar edicts provide knowledge regarding Ashoka’s early governance. Major Pillar edict talks about the edging of his rule but the Major Rock edicts direct about the peaceable path of Dhamma & non-violence, making it the most famous inscription among others. Detail about each epigraph is represented below.

Pillar Edicts of Ashoka

• There are seven pillar edicts.
• All of them are stone monoliths.
• Two types of stones were used to carve the pillars – white and buff coloured sandstone and quartzite.
• These pillars were found in Sanchi (Madhya Pradesh), Delhi, Sarnath and Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh), Kandahar (Afghanistan), Champaran (Bihar), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Pakistan), and Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh).
• On top of the pillars, symbols of bulls, horses, or lion (facing all four directions) were crafted.
• Pillar edicts are 40-50 feet high and weigh approximately 50 tons.

Edict number and its description is represented in a tabular form-

Major Rock Edicts of Asoka

There are 14 major rock edicts. Details about each one of them are tabulated below:

Major Rock Edict VII Excerpt

King Devanampriya Priyadarsin desires all sects may reside everywhere. For all these desire self-control and purity of mind. But men possess various desires, various passions. They will fulfil the whole or only a portion of their duties.

But even those who practice great liberality, but does not possess self-control, purity of mind, gratitude and firm devotion is very mean. (King Devanampriya Priyadarsin refers to King Ashoka)

Minor Rock Edicts of Ashoka

• 15 minor rock edicts were found across the country and in Afghanistan also.
• Ashoka’s name was used only in four places- Brahmagiri (Karnataka), Maski (Karnataka), Nittur (Karnataka) and Gujjara (Madhya Pradesh).

To get more information and study materials on Ancient History for UPSC IAS Prelims and Mains exam, candidates can check NCERT Ancient History Notes right here.

FAQs

MCQs

1. What was the main purpose of Ashoka's edicts?

A) To promote trade
B) To declare war strategies
C) To communicate moral and ethical teachings
D) To establish laws for taxation

2. Which language and script are primarily used in Ashoka's edicts?

A) Sanskrit and Devanagari
B) Prakrit and Brahmi
C) Greek and Kharosthi
D) Pali and Tamil

3. Which edict of Ashoka mentions the Kalinga War and its impact on him?

A) Major Rock Edict X
B) Major Rock Edict XIII
C) Minor Pillar Edict I
D) Minor Rock Edict IV

4. What is depicted on the Ashokan pillar at Sarnath?

A) A lion capital
B) An elephant
C) A wheel
D) A lotus flower

5. What moral principle did Ashoka emphasize in his edicts?

A) Military might
B) Economic wealth
C) Non-violence and compassion
D) Political dominance

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the significance of Ashoka's edicts in understanding the political and social environment of his reign.

Answer: Ashoka's edicts are crucial historical sources that provide insight into the political and social environment of his reign. They reflect his policies after the transformative Kalinga War, where he shifted from a conquest-driven approach to one focused on governance based on moral and ethical principles. The edicts emphasize the spread of Buddhism, promotion of non-violence, and welfare measures for his subjects, showcasing a ruler deeply committed to the well-being of his people. The inscriptions also reveal administrative strategies, such as appointing officers to oversee the spread of Dharma and promote public welfare. The multilingual nature of the edicts highlights Ashoka's intention to communicate across a diverse empire, underscoring the inclusive and reformative aspects of his rule.

Q2: Discuss how Ashoka's edicts contribute to our understanding of ancient Indian administration and governance.

Answer: Ashoka's edicts contribute significantly to our understanding of ancient Indian administration and governance. They reveal a structured administrative system where officials known as 'Dhamma Mahamatras' were appointed to promote ethical living and welfare policies. The edicts highlight Ashoka’s use of public communication as a tool for governance, spreading messages of morality, non-violence, and religious tolerance. This approach showcased an innovative method of direct engagement between the ruler and the public, emphasizing the king's role as a moral leader rather than just a military conqueror. The edicts also illustrate the use of infrastructure, such as pillars and rocks, to disseminate information, reflecting an organized and centralized system of governance that prioritized transparency and public involvement.

Q3: Evaluate the impact of Ashoka's transformation post-Kalinga War on his policies and their long-term implications for Indian history.

Answer: The Kalinga War marked a significant turning point in Ashoka’s reign, leading to his adoption of Buddhism and a shift in policy from military conquest to moral and ethical governance. The impact of this transformation is evident in his edicts, which focus on non-violence, compassion, and the welfare of all living beings. This change influenced his policies, including public works such as the construction of roads, hospitals, and rest houses, and the promotion of religious tolerance and harmony. The long-term implications of Ashoka’s reign included the widespread dissemination of Buddhism, which later spread to other parts of Asia, influencing religious and cultural practices. His approach to governance, prioritizing the well-being of subjects, set a precedent for future rulers and contributed to the legacy of a more humane and ethical leadership in Indian history.

Previous Year Questions on Ashoka's Edicts

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021:

Question: Which of the following edicts of Ashoka mentions the impact of the Kalinga War?

A) Major Rock Edict X
B) Major Rock Edict XIII
C) Minor Pillar Edict I
D) Minor Rock Edict IV

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Major Rock Edict XIII discusses the impact of the Kalinga War, highlighting Ashoka's remorse and his decision to embrace Buddhism and promote non-violence.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 1):

Question: "Examine the significance of Ashoka's edicts in understanding the spread of Buddhism and the administration of his empire."

Answer: Ashoka's edicts are invaluable for understanding the spread of Buddhism and the administration of his empire. They reveal his commitment to propagating Buddhist principles, such as non-violence, compassion, and moral conduct, throughout his vast empire. The inscriptions served as tools for promoting public welfare and ethical governance, showcasing Ashoka's approach to ruling as a benevolent and moral leader. The edicts also provide evidence of the administrative structure, highlighting the role of officials like 'Dhamma Mahamatras' in implementing his policies. These measures contributed to the dissemination of Buddhism not just within India but across Asia, establishing it as a major world religion. The legacy of Ashoka’s governance set a benchmark for ethical leadership and religious tolerance, influencing subsequent generations and shaping the socio-political fabric of ancient India.