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Ashoka Edicts

• The Ashoka Edicts refer to 33 inscriptions that were carved on rocks and pillars by Emperor Ashoka, who reigned over the Mauryan Empire from 268 BCE to 232 BCE. These edicts served as public announcements that conveyed the concept and practice of dhamma, a central teaching in Buddhism.
• These inscriptions can be found across various regions, such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. The majority of the Ashoka Edicts were written in the Prakrit language. These inscriptions hold great significance as they are considered the earliest tangible evidence of the Buddhist tradition.

Types of Inscriptions

• There are four types of Ashoka edicts. 
• These edicts were classified based on the surface on which they were inscribed.
• James Princep in 1837 deciphered the Ashokan inscriptions for the first time.
  • Major rock edicts
  • Minor rock edicts
  • Major pillar edicts
  • Minor pillar edicts

Ashoka Edicts – Major Rock Edicts

• The Major Rock Edicts of Ashoka are a collection of 14 inscriptions that convey the emperor's vision for a harmonious and peaceful society through adherence to the principles of dhamma. These edicts provide comprehensive and detailed insights into Ashoka's philosophy and governance.
• All of the Major Rock Edicts, with the exception of the Kandahar Greek Edict, were inscribed on large rock surfaces. These inscriptions were strategically placed along the borders of the territories under Ashoka's control.
• In summary, the Major Rock Edicts showcase Emperor Ashoka's commitment to promoting a peaceful and just society by embracing the teachings of dhamma. They offer valuable insights into his reign and the core principles that guided his administration.

Ashoka Rock Edicts	Features Inscribed in Edicts
Major Rock Edict I	Prohibits animal slaughter Bans festive gatherings
Major Rock Edict II	Mentions the South Indian kingdoms such as Cholas, Pandya, Satyaputas and Keralaputras. Deals with social welfare measures
Major Rock Edict III	Liberty to Brahmanas Every five years Yukatas, Pradesikas along with Rajukas visit all the areas of the kingdom to spread Dhamma.
Major Rock Edict IV	Preference of Dhammaghosa (Sound of peace) over Berighosa (Sound of wandrums). Impact of Dhamma on society
Major Rock Edict V	Humane treatment of slaves by their masters Mentions about the appointment of Dhamma Mahamatras.
Major Rock Edict VI	Deals with the welfare measures King’s wish to know about the condition of the people
Major Rock Edict VII	Tolerance towards all religions and sects
Major Rock Edict VIII	Mentions about Ashoka’s visit to Bodh Gaya and Bodhi tree Maintaining contact with rural people via Dharmayatras.
Major Rock Edict IX	Stresses on the moral conduct of people. Avoiding expensive ceremonies
Major Rock Edict X	Condemns the desire for fame and glory
Major Rock Edict XI	Elaborate explanation of Dhamma
Major Rock Edict XII	Appeal for developing tolerance towards all religious sects.
Major Rock Edict XIII	Explains about Kalinga war and conquest through dhamma
Major Rock Edict XIV	Deals with the purpose of engraving inscriptions in various parts of the country.

Ashoka Edicts – Minor Rock Edicts

• The Minor Rock Edicts of Ashoka are a series of inscriptions that predate the Major Rock Edicts. These edicts focus on Ashoka's personal history and provide a summary of his teachings, known as dhamma. They can be found in various locations, including Maski (Andhra Pradesh), Brahmagiri (Karnataka), Sasaram (Bihar), Rupanath (Madhya Pradesh), and Bhabru-Bairat (Rajasthan).
• The Maski version of the Minor Rock Edicts holds significant historical importance, as it confirms the association of the title "Devanampiya Piyadasi" with Emperor Ashoka. Among these inscriptions, Minor Rock Edict No. 3 is particularly noteworthy as it enumerates essential Buddhist scriptures that should be regularly studied by the Buddhist clergy.
• Although the texts of these inscriptions are brief, their technical quality in terms of engraving is comparatively poor. Nevertheless, the Minor Rock Edicts of Ashoka provide valuable insights into the personal history and teachings of the emperor.

Ashoka Edicts – Major Pillar Edicts

• The major pillar edicts of Ashoka are a specific set of inscriptions that were exclusively engraved on the Pillars of Ashoka. 
• These edicts followed the major rock edicts and minor rock edicts in chronological order, having been created during the final years of Ashoka's reign. 
• Of all the major pillar edicts, only two are located outside of Central India. In total, there are seven major pillar edicts of Ashoka.

Major Pillar Edicts	Features Inscribed in Edicts
Pillar Edict I	Ashoka’s principles relating to protection of his people
Pillar Edict II	Dhamma is defined as the minimum of sins, possession of compassion, liberty, virtues, purity and truthfulness.
Pillar Edict III	Sins such as harshness, anger, cruelty etc., are being abolished
Pillar Edict IV	The duties of Rajukas are mentioned
Pillar Edict V	A List of animals and plants which should not be killed on certain occasions and a list of animals and plants which should be never killed. Describes about release of 25 prisoners by Ashoka
Pillar Edict VI	Policy of Dhamma is explained
Pillar Edict VII	Tolerance towards all religious sects.

Ashoka Edicts – Minor Pillar Edicts

• The minor pillar edicts refers to the 5 minor edicts inscribed on the pillars of Ashoka.
• They are preceded by minor rock edicts.
• These edicts belong to the initial period of Ashoka’s reign.

Minor Pillar Edicts	Features Inscribed in Edicts
The schism edicts	Warning of punishment for dissent in Samgha
The Queen’s edicts	Ashoka announces that gifts of the Queens should be credited
Nigali Sagar pillar inscriptions	Mentions about Ashoka’s dedication to increase the height of Kanakamuni Buddha
Rummindei pillar inscriptions	Mentions about Ashok’s visit to Lumbini i.e. birthplace of Buddha

Ashoka Edicts – Languages

• The Ashoka edicts were inscribed in three primary languages – Prakrit, Aramaic, and Greek. Prakrit was the most common language used in the majority of Ashoka's inscriptions. In the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent, the edicts were written in Greek and Aramaic languages.
• Most of the Prakrit inscriptions utilized the Brahmi script, while some in the northwest were written in the Kharosthi script. In Afghanistan, the inscriptions were composed in Greek and Aramaic scripts. An example of a bilingual inscription is the Kandahar rock inscription, which is written in both Greek and Aramaic languages.

Important Facts of Ashoka Edicts

• In the Ashoka Edicts, Emperor Ashoka refers to himself as Devanampiya Piyadasi, which translates to "beloved of the gods." Ashoka's name is explicitly mentioned in only three rock edicts, which are found in Maski, Gujjara, and Nittur. Ashoka was the first monarch to establish a direct connection with his subjects through his inscriptions, which were mostly placed on ancient highways.
• The Ashoka Edicts primarily focus on recurring themes, such as Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism and his efforts to spread the teachings of dhamma. The edicts also emphasize tolerance towards various religious sects and the importance of social welfare and animal welfare. Overall, these inscriptions serve as evidence of Ashoka's commitment to promoting harmony, compassion, and understanding among his people.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Ashoka edicts are a collection of 33 inscriptions engraved on rocks and pillars by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka, who ruled from 268 BCE to 232 BCE. These edicts were proclamations that carried the message of dhamma and showcased Ashoka's vision of peaceful existence. The inscriptions, found throughout Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, are considered the first intangible evidence of Buddhism. They are categorized into major rock edicts, minor rock edicts, major pillar edicts, and minor pillar edicts. The inscriptions are written mainly in Prakrit, Aramaic, and Greek languages, with recurring themes such as Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism, efforts to spread dhamma, tolerance towards various religious sects, social welfare, and animal welfare. Ashoka edicts provide an invaluable insight into the reign of Emperor Ashoka and his dedication to the principles of Buddhism.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) of The Mauryan Empire - II

What are Ashoka Edicts and who created them?

Ashoka Edicts are 33 inscriptions engraved on rocks and pillars by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka, who ruled from 268 BCE to 232 BCE. They were proclamations by the emperor to the public at large, carrying the message about the idea and practice of dhamma.

Where are the Ashoka Edicts located?

Ashoka inscriptions are scattered throughout Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Most of these inscriptions are in the Prakrit language and are considered the first intangible evidence of Buddhism.

What are the four types of Ashoka Edicts?

The four types of Ashoka Edicts are Major Rock Edicts, Minor Rock Edicts, Major Pillar Edicts, and Minor Pillar Edicts. These edicts were classified based on the surface on which they were inscribed.

How were the languages and scripts used in the Ashoka Edicts?

Only three languages were used in the Ashoka Edicts: Prakrit, Aramaic, and Greek. Most of the inscriptions were in the Prakrit language. The Prakrit inscriptions were mostly in Brahmi script, while some in the northwest were in Kharosthi script. Inscriptions in Afghanistan were written in Greek and Aramaic script.

What are some recurring themes in Ashoka Edicts?

Ashoka Edicts revolve around themes such as Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism, his efforts to spread dhamma, tolerance towards various religious sects, social welfare, and animal welfare. These inscriptions were mostly placed on ancient highways and were the first instance of a king making a direct connection to the people via inscriptions.