Understanding Asoka's Separate Rock Edicts

Emperor Asoka, known for his propagation of Dhamma, inscribed his policies and principles on rocks and pillars across his empire. These inscriptions, known as Asokan Edicts, are broadly classified into Major Rock Edicts, Minor Rock Edicts, Pillar Edicts, and Separate Rock Edicts.

The Separate Rock Edicts are particularly significant as they are found in areas recently conquered or strategically important, like Kalinga (modern Odisha). They contain specific instructions and messages, especially addressing the welfare and administration of the people in these regions, differing slightly from the standard Major Rock Edicts.

Let's examine the sites mentioned in the question:

• Dhauli: Located in Odisha, Dhauli was part of the ancient Kalinga kingdom. It is one of the key sites where the Separate Rock Edicts are found. These edicts replace Major Rock Edicts XI, XII, and XIII found elsewhere.
• Jaugada: Also located in Odisha and part of the ancient Kalinga territory, Jaugada is another primary site yielding the Separate Rock Edicts, similar to Dhauli.
• Sannati: Located in Karnataka, Sannati is a significant site of Asokan edicts. While it contains fragmented Major Rock Edicts, archaeological findings at Sannati have also revealed inscriptions that are sometimes considered analogous to or incorporating themes from the Separate Kalinga Edicts, making it a site associated with 'separate' or unique local edicts of Asoka.
• Udegolam: Situated in Karnataka, Udegolam is known for housing Major Rock Edicts of Asoka, but it does not contain the specific set of Separate Rock Edicts found in Kalinga (Dhauli and Jaugada).

Based on the historical and archaeological evidence, Dhauli and Jaugada are the most well-known sites for the Separate Rock Edicts (often called Kalinga Edicts). Sannati is also recognized for having unique or 'separate' edicts or fragments akin to the Kalinga ones, distinguishing it from sites with only the standard Major Rock Edicts.

Therefore, the sites that have yielded 'separate rock edicts' of Asoka among the given options are Dhauli, Jaugada, and Sannati.

Analysing the options:

• (A) Dhauli: Has Separate Rock Edicts.
• (B) Jaugada: Has Separate Rock Edicts.
• (C) Sannati: Has unique/separate edicts or fragments.
• (D) Udegolam: Has Major Rock Edicts, not the standard Separate Rock Edicts.

The combination of (A), (B), and (C) represents the sites yielding separate rock edicts or similar unique local versions among the choices provided.

Revision Table: Asokan Edict Sites

Additional Information on Asoka's Edicts

Asoka's edicts provide invaluable insights into his reign, his Dhamma policy, and the administrative structure of the Mauryan Empire. They are primarily inscribed on polished stone surfaces, including rocks, pillars, and cave walls.

• Major Rock Edicts: A set of 14 different edicts found inscribed together on large rocks at eight different locations across the empire.
• Minor Rock Edicts: Generally the earliest edicts, found at various sites and sometimes contain personal messages from Asoka or instructions to local officials.
• Pillar Edicts: Inscribed on specially erected pillars, these typically contain later pronouncements by Asoka.
• Separate Rock Edicts: Found specifically in regions like Kalinga. They highlight Asoka's approach to the people he had recently conquered, emphasizing welfare and justice, and replacing some of the standard Major Rock Edicts.

The language used in the edicts is predominantly Prakrit, written in various scripts like Brahmi, Kharosthi, Greek, and Aramaic, depending on the location.