List of Edicts of Ashoka

List of Edicts of Ashoka: Ashoka’s Edicts refer to a series of inscriptions engraved on pillars, rocks, and cave walls by Emperor Ashoka, who ruled the Indian subcontinent during the Maurya dynasty from 268 to 232 BCE. These edicts are crucial historical artifacts providing insights into Ashoka’s governance, policies, and his conversion to Buddhism.

In this article, we have discussed the Edicts of Ashoka, Ashokan Inscriptions (Rock Edicts), Ashoka Inscription Details, and many more.

Let’s dive right in.

Edicts of Ashoka

Edicts of Ashoka Overview

here is a brief overview of Ashoka’s Edicts:

1. Purpose:

• Communication: The primary purpose of Ashoka’s Edicts was to communicate his policies and principles of governance to the people.
• Informative Inscriptions: They served as informative inscriptions on various mediums to reach a diverse population.

2. Location:

• Geographical Spread: Ashoka’s Edicts are found in numerous locations across the Indian subcontinent.
• Prominent Sites: Some prominent locations include Girnar in Gujarat, Dhauli in Odisha, and Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh.

3. Material:

• Pillars, Rocks, and Caves: The inscriptions were engraved on pillars made of sandstone or granite, rocks, and cave walls.
• Symbolism: The pillars, often topped with animal sculptures like lions, are known as Ashoka Pillars.

4. Language:

• Multilingual Inscriptions: The inscriptions were written in various ancient languages, including Prakrit and Greek.
• Diverse Audiences: The use of multiple languages aimed to cater to a diverse population within the vast Mauryan Empire.

5. Content:

• Moral and Ethical Conduct: The edicts primarily focus on promoting moral and ethical conduct among the people.
• Dhamma: They elaborate on the concept of Dhamma, encompassing righteous living and ethical teachings.

6. Major Rock Edicts:

• Themes: These edicts address a wide range of themes, including non-violence, religious tolerance, and the welfare of both humans and animals.
• Spread of Dhamma: Emphasizes Ashoka’s commitment to the spread of Dhamma.

7. Pillar Edicts:

• Lion Capital: The pillars are topped with the famous Lion Capital of Ashoka, which is now the national emblem of India.
• Symbol of Authority: The lion symbolizes Ashoka’s authority and adherence to Buddhist principles.

8. Dhauli and Kalinga Edicts:

• Remorse Over Kalinga War: These specific edicts express Ashoka’s deep remorse over the brutal Kalinga War.
• Commitment to Non-Violence: Reflects Ashoka’s commitment to non-violence and a more compassionate rule.

9. Minor Rock Edicts and Cave Inscriptions:

• Local Issues: Apart from major themes, Ashoka left inscriptions in smaller rock shelters and caves, addressing localized issues.
• Regional Relevance: These inscriptions catered to the specific concerns and context of different regions.

10. Impact:

• Historical Record: Ashoka’s Edicts serve as a unique historical record providing insights into ancient Indian governance.
• Buddhist Legacy: They contribute significantly to understanding the historical context of the spread of Buddhism.

11. Legacy:

• Complex Interpretations: The legacy of Ashoka’s Edicts is complex, with various interpretations regarding their significance in history.
• Global Influence: The edicts have inspired discussions on alternative models of governance and ethical leadership worldwide.

Ashoka’s Major Rock Edicts

Ashoka’s citations continuously appertained to the Rock fiats, were enormous proclamations that he made to convey his verbal exchange to the people of his big empire. These citations were etched into jewels and pillars, covering a big selection of topics and conveying his dedication to peace, ethics, and the welfare of his subjects. Below is a desk encapsulating the fundamental rock directives, their role, and their content.

Edict	Location	Content
1	Mashki Pillar, modern Pakistan	Proclamation of Ashoka’s conversion to Buddhism and his commitment to non-violence.
2	Sopara, near Mumbai	Advocacy for respect and tolerance of all sects.
3	Rock Edict of Kalsi, Uttarakhand	Instructions for the humane treatment of prisoners.
4	Rock Edict of Shahbazgarhi, Pakistan	Praises for the Dhamma (Buddhist law) and its effects.
5	Rock Edict of Mansehra, Pakistan	Directives for royal tours and the promotion of the Dhamma.
6	Rock Edict of Manshera, Pakistan	Promotion of the Dhamma through the moral conduct of public officials.
7	Pillar Edict at Lumbini, Nepal	Exhortation to follow the Dhamma, respect for parents, and reverence for religious teachers.
8	Rock Edict at Peshawar, Pakistan	Ashoka’s concern for his subjects’ welfare, including medical treatment for humans and animals.
9	Rock Edict of Sahasram, India	Ashoka’s instructions to control the animal sacrifice and the importance of respect for living beings.
10	Rock Edict of Bairat, Rajasthan	Acknowledgment of Ashoka’s relationship with the Sangha (Buddhist community).
11	Rock Edict at Barabar Caves, Bihar	Edict on tolerance of other religious sects and the importance of self-discipline.
12	Rock Edict at the Shabazgarhi, Pakistan	Prohibition of animal sacrifice and measures to prevent the killing of animals.
13	Rock Edict at Pataliputra, Bihar	Discussion of the Dhamma and its importance in the daily lives of people.
14	Rock Edict at Sohgaura, India	Ashoka’s orders for the welfare of his people, including the building of rest houses.
15	Rock Edict at Samath, India	Promotion of the Dhamma through virtuous living and respecting others’ beliefs.
16	Rock Edict of Jaugada, Odisha	Ashoka’s concern for his people’s welfare and moral conduct.
17	Rock Edict at Udayagiri, Madhya Pradesh	Emphasis on the propagation of the Dhamma through Dhamma officers.

Pillar Inscriptions

Edict	Location	Content
1	Lumbini, Nepal	Announcement of Ashoka’s visit to Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha.
2	Vaishali, Bihar	Mention of Ashoka’s commitment to the welfare and happiness of his subjects.
3	Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh	Emphasis on religious tolerance and respect for all religious sects.
4	Rummindei, Nepal	Praise for Ashoka’s concern for animal welfare and his commitment to non-violence.
5	Nigali Sagar, Nepal	Promotion of the Dhamma and the principles of truth, self-control, and purity.
6	Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh	Emphasis on moral conduct and reverence for elders.
7	Sankissa, Uttar Pradesh	Orders for the construction of stupas and religious monuments.
8	Ahraura, Bihar	Ashoka’s concern for the welfare of his subjects and his efforts to improve their lives.
9	Kosambi, Uttar Pradesh	Orders to spread the teachings of Buddhism and the Dhamma.
10	Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh	Mention of Ashoka’s Dhamma Mahamatras, who were tasked with spreading the Dhamma.
11	Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh	Acknowledgment of Ashoka’s moral and ethical teachings.
12	Khalsi, Uttarakhand	Instructions for the protection of the Dhamma and its principles.
13	Rupnath, Maharashtra	Announcement of Ashoka’s commitment to the welfare of monks, nuns, and the general population.
14	Sisupalgarh, Odisha	Reference to Ashoka’s policy of social welfare and justice.

Ashoka Inscription Details

Ashoka’s eulogies give us unique perceptivity into the moral and ethical ideas that he wanted to partake in throughout his vast conglomerate. These eulogies touch on several important themes

• Buddhism and Non-Violence: In numerous of his fiats, Ashoka addresses his grasp of Buddhism and his strong commitment to non-violence. He prompted his people to follow a path of non-violence and to show respect to all living beings. He simply wanted everyone to be kind and avoid hurting others.
• Religious Forbearance: Ashoka believed in religious forbearance, which means esteeming and being accepting of all religious beliefs. He encouraged his subjects to recognize and live in harmony with people from different faiths. This was his way of promoting peace and concinnity among colorful religious groups.
• Welfare and Compassion: Ashoka watched deeply about the well-being of his people. He made sure they had access to medical care, and good health, and indeed looked out for the wealth of creatures. This means he wanted everyone to be healthy and happy, and he extended this care to creatures as well.
• Dhamma Propagation: Ashoka allowed it was really important to spread the training of Buddhism, which he called the Dhamma. To do this, he appointed special Dhamma officers and transferred couriers to other regions to partake in this training with others. He wanted more people to know about Buddhism and its principles.
• Particular Morality: The eulogies also stress the significance of particular morality and being a good person. This means being regardful to your parents, elders, and those who educate you, which was seen as a way to lead a good and honorable life.
• Animal Welfare: Ashoka was against causing detriment to creatures, and his eulogies contain rules to cover creatures, especially by proscribing beast immolation. He wanted people to treat creatures with kindness and not hurt them.
• Social Welfare: Ashoka’s care for his people is apparent in his instructions to make rest houses, factory trees, and give installations for the public. This shows that he was committed to making life better for everyone in his conglomerate by furnishing them with sanctum and a healthy terrain.

Conclusion on Edicts of Ashoka

Ashoka’s eulogies, etched into jewels and pillars all through his massive conglomerate, function as home windows to the moral and ethical ideals that he cherished. His conversion to Buddhism and unvarying dedication to non-violence, together with his advocacy for spiritual forbearance and harmony among special faiths, emphasize his aspiration for a society embedded in peace and concinnity. Ashoka’s authentic situation for the weal of his topics is apparent in his vittles on hospital treatment, public health, and the well-being of each human being and creature. He believed in the importance of precise morality, emphasizing admiration for parents, elders, and preceptors, fostering a terrain in which individuals may want to lead honorable lives. Likewise, Ashoka’s eulogies illustrate his dedication to the propagation of the Dhamma, spreading the education of Buddhism through devoted officials and emissaries. His imagination and prescience extended to beast weal, with proscriptions against beast immolation, championing kindness towards creatures. Ashoka’s fidelity to social weal shines through in his directives to make rest houses, manufacturing unit trees, and give installations for the public, fostering a society wherein all and sundry’s necessities were considered. These eulogies continue to inspire generations, providing a dateless memorial of the values of compassion, forbearance, and moral living. Ashoka’s historical past is no longer the handiest within the literal statistics but also in the enduring hunt for a greater harmonious and simple world guided by his standards.

FAQs on Edicts of Ashoka

Why did Ashoka inscribe his edicts?

Ashoka inscribed his edicts to sell ethical values, spread Buddhism, and ensure moral governance.

How many edicts did Ashoka have difficulty?

Ashoka issued 33 Major Rock Edicts, numerous Minor Rock Edicts, and numerous Pillar Edicts.

What is the importance of the Lion Capital on Ashoka’s pillars?

The Lion Capital, with its four lions, has ended up a countrywide brand of India and symbolizes Ashoka’s rule.

Did Ashoka’s efforts to sell Buddhism prevail?

Yes, Ashoka’s assistance performed a critical function within the unfolding of Buddhism, not most effective in India but also in other elements of Asia.

Where can one find Ashoka’s inscriptions and pillars nowadays?

Some of the distinguished places encompass Sanchi, Sarnath, Dhauli, and Griner, amongst others.

How had been Ashoka’s edicts deciphered and translated?

The decipherment of Brahmi script and Prakrit language using scholars in the nineteenth century facilitated the translation of Ashoka’s inscriptions.

What is the Dharma noted in Ashoka’s edicts?

Dharma, in this context, refers to righteousness, moral conduct, and ethical standards.