The Ashoka Inscriptions are a collection of over thirty inscriptions on pillars, stones, and cave walls that are credited to Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan Empire, who ruled from 268 BCE to 232 BCE. These inscriptions, which may be found in modern-day Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, are the first physical proof of Buddhism. This article will explain to you the Ashoka Inscription which will be helpful in Ancient History preparation for the UPSC Civil Service Exam.

Ashoka Inscription

• Ashoka was born in the Mauryan Empire to Mauryan Emperor Bindusara and Subhadrangi. The grandson of Chandragupta Maurya.
• Devanampiya (Sanskrit Devanampriya, which means Beloved of the Gods) and Piyadasi were his other names.
• After seeing the atrocities of battle in Kalinga, the great Emperor Ashoka, the third king of the Maurya dynasty, turned to Buddhism.
• He became a Buddhist advocate and benefactor, attempting to promote Dhamma across his dominion and beyond.
• There are 33 inscriptions in all, which are broadly grouped as follows:
  • Major rock edicts
  • Minor rock edicts
  • Separate rock edicts
  • Major pillar edicts
  • Minor pillar edicts

Ashoka Inscription - Characteristics

• The inscriptions were written on conveniently positioned rock surfaces and dispersed in regions of public habitation, where people could easily read them, during the first part of his reign, and are known 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 by a finely sculpted animal capital requiring great technological expertise in cutting and engraving, and were primarily confined to the Ganges plain.
• Throughout the empire, the inscriptions were penned in the Prakrit language (in Magadhi, the Prakrit dialect of Magadha) and inscribed in Brahmi script.
• The Buddhist Upasaka Dhamma influenced the majority of the inscriptions on dhamma (Prakrit version of dharma, literally meaning universal rule or justice or social and religious order).
• The dhamma of Ashoka emphasised nonviolence, mutual respect, and understanding among individuals of various faiths and beliefs.
• It featured the state's care for its citizens' well-being.
• Dhamma's primary characteristics comprised compassion, generosity, sincerity, purity, and gentleness.
• He urged people to show respect, attention, compassion, and tolerance to slaves and servants, to obey parents, to be generous to friends and relatives, to respect and donate to Brahmanas and Shramanas, to care for all living beings, and to refrain from harming life.

Major rock edicts

• The Major Rock Edicts of Indian Emperor Ashoka refer to 14 unique major Ashoka Edicts that are very comprehensive and constitute some of the earliest dated rock inscriptions of any Indian ruler.

Minor rock edicts

• Minor rock edicts have been discovered on 15 rocks around the nation and in Afghanistan.
• Ashoka's inscriptions in Greek or Aramaic are frequently referred to as "Minor Rock Edicts."
• The Minor Pillar Edicts of Ashoka relate to five distinct minor Edicts engraved on Ashoka's Pillars.
• These edicts are temporally before the Minor Rock Edicts and may have been made concurrently with the Major Rock Edicts.
• Ashoka's name is only used in four of these locations:
  • Maski
  • Brahmagiri (Karnataka)
  • Gujjara (MP)
  • Nettur (AP)

Pillar Edicts

Some other Important Inscriptions

Ashoka

• Bindusara, son of Mauryan Emperor Bindusara and Subhadrangi The grandson of Chandragupta Maurya.
• Devanampiya (Sanskrit Devanampriya, which meaning Beloved of the Gods) and Piyadasi were his other names.
• One of India's most illustrious emperors.
• He was born in the year 304 BC.
• His reign lasted from 268 BC to his death in 232 BC.
• As a young prince, Ashoka was a brilliant commander who put down rebellions in Ujjain and Takshashila.
• He was an ambitious and aggressive emperor, re-establishing the Empire's power in southern and western India. His conquest of Kalinga (262–261 BCE) was, nevertheless, the defining event of his life.
• He converted to Buddhism. His master was a Buddhist monk named Moggaliputta Tissa.

Conclusion

The Asoka inscriptions and edicts are a collection of 33 inscriptions on the Pillars of Asoka, as well as boulders and cave walls, created by the Emperor Asoka during his reign from 272 to 231 BC and scattered throughout modern-day Pakistan, Nepal, and India. Three languages were used: Prakrit, Greek, and Aramaic. Four scripts were used. Inscriptions in Prakrit were written in Brahmi and Kharosthi. The remainder is written in Greek or Aramaic. The Kandahar Rock Inscription is written in both English and Dari. Inscriptions discovered in Pakistan are written in kharosthi script.

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the role of Ashoka’s inscriptions in spreading the message of Dhamma across India.

Answer: Ashoka’s inscriptions were pivotal in spreading the message of Dhamma (moral law) across the Indian subcontinent. These inscriptions, carved on rocks and pillars, conveyed Ashoka’s principles of non-violence, religious tolerance, and ethical living. They aimed to promote social harmony and moral conduct among his subjects. Through these edicts, Ashoka advocated for compassion towards all living beings, care for the environment, and justice. The inscriptions were written in local languages like Prakrit, ensuring accessibility for a broad audience.

Q2: Analyze the historical importance of Ashoka’s edicts as a source of information for ancient Indian history.

Answer: Ashoka’s edicts serve as a critical source of information about ancient Indian history, especially the Mauryan Empire. These inscriptions provide direct evidence of Ashoka’s reign, his policies, and his conversion to Buddhism after the Kalinga war. They also highlight his efforts to maintain social order and religious tolerance. The edicts are one of the earliest written records in Indian history, helping historians understand the political, social, and administrative practices of the time. Additionally, they provide valuable insights into Ashoka’s vision of a morally guided empire.

Q3: Evaluate the significance of Ashoka’s Pillar Edicts in the context of ancient Indian architecture and art.

Answer: Ashoka’s Pillar Edicts are not only important as historical records but also significant for their architectural and artistic value. The pillars, made of polished stone, often feature elaborate carvings and designs, including the famous Lion Capital at Sarnath, which is now India’s national emblem. The use of stone architecture for these edicts reflects the sophistication of Mauryan craftsmanship. The artistic grandeur of the pillars, combined with their profound moral messages, symbolizes Ashoka’s effort to create a lasting legacy of ethical governance and Buddhist ideals.

Previous Year Questions on Ashoka Inscription

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2016:

Question: Which script was used for most of Ashoka’s inscriptions?

A. Kharosthi

B. Brahmi

C. Devanagari

D. Persian

Answer: B

Explanation: The Brahmi script was primarily used for Ashoka’s edicts, particularly those written in Prakrit.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2017 (GS Paper 1):

Question: Discuss the significance of Ashoka’s inscriptions in understanding ancient Indian political and social life.

Answer: Ashoka’s inscriptions are a vital source of information on ancient Indian history, providing insight into the emperor’s administration, policies, and promotion of Buddhism. They reflect his focus on ethical governance, religious tolerance, and the welfare of his subjects. The inscriptions also reveal Ashoka’s efforts to promote moral conduct and his concern for the environment, healthcare, and justice. These edicts remain one of the earliest forms of written records that offer valuable data on ancient India’s political, social, and religious fabric.

3. UPSC CSE Prelims 2017:

Question: In which language are most of Ashoka’s inscriptions written?

A. Sanskrit

B. Pali

C. Prakrit

D. Tamil

Answer: C

Explanation: Prakrit was the most commonly used language in Ashoka’s inscriptions, especially for conveying his messages to the general populace.