Ashokan Edicts

Ashoka (268 BC to 232BC) was one of the greatest ruler ever sat on the throne of Ancient India. The history of the mauryan empire ruled by Ashoka is significantly reconstructed with the help of Edicts issued by him. They reflected the Politico- economic- social scenarios of not only the Ashokan Kingdom but also included development of his contemporaries, which also includes references outside Indian subcontinent.

Ashokan Edicts are collection of inscriptions on the rock boulders, pillars and cave walls. These inscriptions are dispersed throughout Indian subcontinent including regions like modern day Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan. Inscriptions were issued prior to Mauryan era. However, the practice of inscribing imperial proclamations on stones was a striking feature of Ashokan reign. unlike the earlier inscriptions, Ashokan Inscriptions depicted the ruler's insight and his approach to directly connect with his subject showcasing a paternalistic outlook. 

These wee written in 3 languages, namely Ashokan Prakrit, Greek and Aramaic. The Prakrit inscriptions were written in Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts but most of them were in Brahmi. It also represented the regional variations as those located near northwestern part of Indian subcontinent (Mansera, Shabazgarhi)  are in Kharosthi script. 

There are few inscriptions in Greek and Aramaic as well. The  rock inscription at Sharekuna, near Kandahar is bilingual which is in Greek and Aramaic both. A bilingual Prakrit-Aramaic Inscription is also found at Lampaka.

James Princep succeeded in deciphering Ashoka's Brahmi Edict, however it was not immediately clear to him which king it referred to. This can be attributed to the titles adopted by Ashoka, Devnampiya(beloved of the god) and Piyadasi(pleasant to behold). However, Ceylonese Buddhist texts Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa unlocked this mystery. These chroniclers included these epithets for Ashoka gave insight and provided the much required understanding. 

James princep deciphered the Ashokan inscription in 1837, which marked a watershed event in history of Indian nationalism. It was a proud moment for Indians, who were subjugated under the British superiority and ridiculed by British scholars that "India has no history of its own except series of conquests" ( referred by VA Smith). This instilled a source of inspiration, pride for every Indians which aided India's struggle for freedom.

Ashok edits are mainly of 4 times

The minor rock edicts are considered among the earliest inscriptions and they have the widest distribution with a heavy Andhra - Karnataka cluster orientation. The inscriptions were laid along trading routes and pilgrimage routes of the ancient time. 

The major rock edicts came next which includes sections of Ashoka's dhamma policy, mention of Kalinga war ( 261 BC ), his tolerant outlook, etc., to mention a few. The pillar edicts were latter additions. They provide an insight to the Ashokan empire, describes Ashoka and his role as a king, his administrative appartus and socio economic dimensions as  well.

There are 14 major rock edicts

• Major Rock Edict I :   It prohibits animal sacrifices even during festive season
• Major Rock Edict II :  Mentions about rulers of Deep South Pandyas, Cheras and Satyaputras.
• Major Rock Edict III : Administrative officials instructed like Rajukas to visit their areas of                                               administration every 5 years for the propagation of dhamma
• Major Rock Edict IV : Mentions about Ashoka's forsaking of Bherigosha and embracing                                                  Dhammagosha. A change of heart after Kalinga war.
• Major Rock Edict V : Mentions about the Dhammamattarsas, officials appointed for the                                                propagation of Dhamma,that is righteous path of living
• Major Rock Edict VI :  Mentions about Ashoka as welfaristic  measures towards his subjects
• Major Rock Edict VII : Tolerant outlook seen across the length and breadth of the Kingdom as                                         well as towards his neighbouring kingdoms.
• Major Rock Edict VIII : Include his first dhammayatra ( visit to bodhgaya )
• Major Rock Edict IX & X : Ethical values and moral conduct emphasised upon
• Major Rock Edict XI :  Includes dhamma policy. Adoption of virtues and neglect of vices.
• Major Rock Edict XII : Details of Mahamattas for implentation of dhamma for the moral                                                   upliftment of his subject
• Major Rock Edict XIII : It is a very significant edict. It specifies about Ashoka's victory over                                              Kalinga. Also include Ashoka's cordial, peaceful relations with his                                                  contemporaries like Antiochus of Syria, Ptolemy of Egypt, Magas of                                              Cyrene, Antigonas of Macedon, Alexander of Epirus. The harrowing                                              experience of Kalinga war compelled Ashoka to give up policy of                                                   warfare.
• Major Rock Edict XIV : Mention about his vision towards his subjects and purpose of issuing                                            the edicts

Ashokan pillar edicts mainly carved out of sandstone. These were procured from regions like Mathura, Chunar. Monolithic structures known for their glossy Polish, NBPW. They've been found in many places as high as 50 feet and weigh more than 50 tonnes each. These are cylindrical shaft tapering from top to bottom. The platform is known as the Bacus on the top of the bell which is a capital where places animal figures. The Ashokan Capital are the specimen of fine craftsmanship. The lion capital at sarnath, the bull at rampurva, the elephant at sankisa, etc are few examples of exordinary skills of the artists.

Ashokan pillars provides a vivid description about his dhamma policy. Compassion, kindness honesty, truth etc are referred to be embraced by mankind and vices like cruelty, anger, list to be kept at Bay. Also included references of Dhammamattas and his tolerant, peaceful existence outlook.

SPECIAL MENTION : Junagarh rock inscription of Rudradaman of 150 AD mentioned about irrigation lake, Sudarshan lake. It was built  by Pushyagupta during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya and completed by Tushyapa during Ashoka's reign

Major Rock Edicts found at

• Kandhar  (Afghanistan)
• Shabazgarhi  (Peshawar district, Pakistan)
• Mansera ( Pakistan )
• Kalsi ( Dehradun district, Uttarakhand)
• Girnar ( Junagadh district, Gujarat )
• Sopara (Thana district, Maharashtra )
• Dhauli ( Puri district, Odisha )
• Jaugada (ganjam district, odisha)
• Erragudi ( kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh )
• Sannati ( gulberg district, Karnataka )

Minor Rock Edicts found at

• Sri nivaspuri ( New Delhi )
• Bairat ( Jaipur district, Rajasthan )
• Sasaram ( rohtaspur district, Bihar )
• Rupanath (Jabalpur district, Madhya Pradesh )
• Maski ( Raichur district, Karnataka )
• Nettur ( Bellary District, Karnataka )
• Udegolam ( Bellary District,  Karnataka )
• Erragudi ( kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh )
• Brahmagiri  (chitradurga district, Karnataka )
• Siddapur ( chitradurga district, Karnataka )

The set of 6 pillars found that

• Kandhar ( Kandahar district, Afghanistan )
• Delhi (shifted from topara )
• Delhi  (originated in meerut )
• Allahabad (originally located in kaushambi)
• Lauria AraRaj ( Champaran district, Bihar )
• Lauria nandangarth ( champaran district, Bihar )
• Rampurva (champaran district, Bihar)

3 Cave inscription of Ashokan time have been found in caves in the Barabar hills, Gaya district, Bihar. Fahien and Hieun Tsang also mentioned about Ashokan pillars seen at places scattered around Indian subcontinent, where today there are none. The significance of these pillars edicts also lies in ascertaining the extent of Mauryan empire.