Ashoka’s Edicts (Ashokan Inscriptions)

Ashoka’s Edicts

Ashoka’s edicts (royal orders or instructions) were messages from Ashoka to his subjects and officials. They were inscribed on natural rocks and polished pillars and were generally placed along ancient highways and pilgrimage routes.

Ashoka was the first Indian king to speak directly to the people through his inscriptions. He used the inscriptions to proclaim dhamma.

Classification of Ashoka’s Edicts

• In the early part of his reign, Ashoka's edicts were inscribed on natural rocks (rock edicts), while later, they appeared on polished sandstone pillars with sculpted animal capitals (pillar edicts).
• Based on the surface (medium) on which inscriptions are written, Ashoka’s edicts are classified into:
  1. Rock edicts: Inscriptions on natural rocks
  2. Pillar edicts: Inscriptions on polished pillars
  3. Cave edicts: Inscriptions in three caves in the Barabar hills
• Based on the length, content and importance of inscriptions, Ashoka’s edicts are classified into minor and major edicts. Major edicts are lengthy and contain more important messages.
  1. The minor edicts are relatively short, usually consisting of 6–22 lines. They are religious in their content. They extensively mention the Buddha, the Sangha, Buddhism, and Buddhist scriptures. They explain how Ashoka gradually turned towards Buddhism.
  2. The major edicts are longer, often extending over multiple rock surfaces and comprising more than a hundred lines. The messages are moral and political in nature. They largely focus on explaining dhamma, Ashoka's efforts to propagate it, and his assessment of his success.
• Chronologically, the minor rock edicts are the earliest, followed by the major rock edicts and, finally, the pillar edicts. In addition to these, two separate rock edicts are found at Dhauli and Jaugada.

Rock Edicts	Fourteen Major Rock Edicts Three Minor Rock Edicts Two Separate Rock Edicts Other Rock Edicts: Shar-i-Kuna Bilingual Greek-Aramaic Inscription Taxila Aramaic inscription Laghman Aramaic inscription
Pillar Edicts	Seven Major Pillar Edicts Four Minor Pillar Edicts: Schism Pillar Edict (SPE) at at Sanchi, Sarnath, and Kausambi Two Tarai Pillar Edicts at Nigali Sagar and Rummindei Allahabad Pillar Queen’s Gifts Edict (Queen’s Gift Edict)
Cave Edicts	Three Barabar Cave Edicts

Languages and Scripts

Region	Script	Script
Most part of Indian Subcontinent	Brahmi	Prakrit
Northwest of Indian Subcontinent	Kharosthi	Aramaic and Greek
Afghanistan	Aramaic and Greek	Aramaic and Greek

Decipherment of Ashokan Inscriptions

• James Prinsep deciphered Asokan Brahmi and Kharosthi in 1837. Deciphering Kharosthi was easier because in the northwest, the coins of Indo-Greek kings contain the names of kings written in Greek and Kharosthi scripts. European scholars who could read Greek compared the letters and deciphered Kharosthi.

Identifying Ashoka Through His Inscriptions

• Most of Ashoka's edicts referred to him by the epithets Devanampiya or Piyadasi. Devanampiya means ‘Beloved of the Gods’, and Piyadasi can be understood in various ways, including ‘one who regards others with kindness’.
• When James Prinsep deciphered Brahmi edicts, it was not clear which king had issued them. Later, George Turnour pointed out that these epithets are used for Ashoka in the Dipavamsa and the Mahavamsa.
• In later decades, copies of minor rock edict I were found at Gujarra (Madhya Pradesh), Maski (Raichur, Karnataka), Nittur (Ballari, Karnataka) and Udegolam (Ballari, Karnataka), which contain the name ‘Asoka’ along with titles.
  • Gujarra rock edict: Devanampiya Piyadasi Asoka
  • Maski rock edict: Devanampiya Asoka
• After examining all these inscriptions and finding that they match content, style, language, and palaeography, epigraphists concluded that the same ruler issued them. The tone of the edicts is personal, and the words are Ashoka's own.

Fourteen Major Rock Edicts

• There are 14 Major Rock Edicts of Ashoka, each conveying a specific message. These major rock edicts are found in 10 places and are mostly in the group of 14. However, at some sites, fewer than 14 edicts are found, mainly because parts of the inscriptions have been lost due to erosion, weathering, or the natural peeling of the rock surface. In a few cases, the complete set may not have been inscribed.
  • Kandahar: Only portions of edicts 12 and 13 were found
  • Sopara: Only fragments of edicts 8 and 9 were found
• The Dhauli and Jaugada inscriptions of Ashoka omit edicts XI, XII, and XIII, which are found in other inscriptions. Instead, they include two special edicts known as the Separate Kalinga Edicts (Separate Rock Edict I and Separate Rock Edict II), which focused on the need for good administration.

Separate Kalinga Edict I mentions “All men are my children”

• Major rock edict XIII records the casualties of the Kalinga war, expressing Ashoka's remorse and transformation against warfare. Ashoka may have deliberately omitted this inscription in Odisha to avoid deepening the sorrow of the Kalinga people.

List of Major Rock Edicts

Major Rock Edict	Description
I	Prohibition of animal slaughter and bans festive gatherings.
II	Medical treatment for humans and animals. The presence of Cholas, the Pandyas, the Satiyaputras, and the Keralaputras as neighbouring states.
III	Generosity to friends, acquaintances, relatives and Brahmans. Moderation in spending and saving. The Yuktas, Rajukas, and Pradesikas traveled to all parts of the kingdom every five years to spread the Dhamma policy. This edict was issued after 12 years of Ashoka’s coronation.
IV	Dhammaghosa (sound of righteousness) over the Bherighosa (sound of war).
V	Concerns about the policy of people towards their slaves. 13 years after coronation, Dhamma Mahamatras are appointed.
VI	Desire to stay informed about the conditions of the people: Reports of affairs in Ashoka's kingdom could be brought to his notice anytime. Welfare measures for the people.
VII	Tolerance for all religions and sects (repeated in the XII edict)
VIII	Ashoka’s first dhamma yatra/visit to the Bodhgaya (Sambodhi) and bodhi tree.
IX	Condemns popular ceremonies and stresses on dhamma.
X	Condemns the desire for fame and glory of the individual and stresses upon the popularity of Dhamma: Priyadarshi does not consider glory in this life or fame after death as of any consequence, except in guiding his people to practice Dhamma.
XI	Elaborates on Dhamma: There is no gift like the gift of dhamma, there is no distribution like the distribution of dhamma and no kinship like the kinship of dhamma.
XII	Tolerance for all religions and sects: Dhamma grows through restraint in speech, avoiding praise of one’s own faith or criticism of other faiths.
XIII	Casualties of the Kalinga war, Ashoka's remorse and conquest by Dhamma: The conquest of Kalinga, resulting in unprecedented slaughter and captives, filled Priyadarshi with remorse, leading him to pursue conquest through dhamma instead. Victory of Ashoka's dhamma over five Hellenistic (Greek) kings (Antiochus II, Ptolemy, Antigonus, Magas, Alexander) and Cholas, Pandyas, etc.
XIV	Describes the engraving of inscriptions installed in different parts of the country

Ten Places of Ashoka’s Major Rock Edicts

Place	Location	Script	Language
Kandahar	Afghanistan	Greek	Greek
Mansehra	Pakistan	Kharosthi	Prakrit
Shahbazgarhi	Pakistan	Kharosthi	Prakrit
Kalsi	Uttarakhand	Brahmi	Prakrit
Girnar	Gujarat	Brahmi	Prakrit
Sopara	Maharashtra	Brahmi	Prakrit
Dhauli	Odisha	Brahmi	Prakrit
Jaugada	Odisha	Brahmi	Prakrit
Sannati	Karnataka	Brahmi	Prakrit
Yerragudi	Andhra Pradesh	Brahmi	Prakrit

Minor Rock Edicts

• There are 3 minor rock edicts of Ashoka, found at 18 different sites across the subcontinent. They occur either individually or in sets of two.
• The minor rock edicts have the widest distribution. These are concentrated in the Andhra-Karnataka area.
• The minor rock edicts are found at:

Bahapur	Near Srinivaspuri in New Delhi
Bairat	Rajasthan
Gujarra, Rupnath and Panguraria	Madhya Pradesh
Sahasram and Ratanpurwa	Bihar
Ahraura	Uttar Pradesh
Maski, Gavimath, Palkigundu, Jatinga Rameshwar, Siddapur	Karnataka
Brahmagiri, Nittur, Udegolam, Rajula Mandagiri and Yerragudi	Andhra Pradesh

In the minor rock edict No.1, Ashoka describes himself as a Buddhist layman (Upasaka) and also explains that he has been getting closer to the Sangha and has become more ardent in the faith. These edicts indicate that Ashoka turned towards Buddhism gradually and not suddenly.

Other Rock Edicts

• Some Ashoka inscriptions are difficult to categorise and are sometimes included in the "minor rock edicts". These include:
  1. Kandahar Bilingual Rock Inscription
  2. Taxila Aramaic Inscription
  3. Laghman Aramaic Inscription
  4. Inscriptions of the Barabar Caves

Kandahar Bilingual Rock Inscription

• The Kandahar bilingual rock inscription, located near Shar-i-Kuna, is engraved on a block of rock in the vicinity of Shar-i-Kuna. It is unique for being written in both Greek (upper part) and Aramaic (lower part) script. It is often categorised as a minor rock edict.
• It is distinct from the Kandahar Greek edicts of Ashoka (major rock edicts), found near Shar-i-Kuna, which are written in Greek and Prakrit.

Taxila Aramaic Inscription

• Taxila Aramaic Inscription is an inscription on an octagonal pillar of white marble at Taxila, Pakistan. The inscription is written in Aramaic, probably around 260 BCE. It is often categorised as a minor rock edict.

Laghman Aramaic Inscription

• It is an inscription on a vertical slab of stone near the top of a hill, on the left bank of the Laghman river (Afghanistan). The inscription consists of six lines and is composed in Aramaic script, probably around 260 BCE. It is often categorised as a minor rock edict.

Seven Major Pillar Edicts

• There are 7 major pillar edicts of Ashoka. These edicts are inscribed on 7 pillars—one at Kandahar and six in North India. The Kandahar pillar bears only Edict VII, whereas the pillars in North India bear Edicts I–VI, except the Delhi–Topra pillar, which bears all seven edicts.
• The seven locations where these pillars are found include:
  1. Kandahar: Only portions of pillar edict VII.
  2. Delhi-Topra: Originally erected in Topra (Ambala district, Haryana), the pillar was transferred to Delhi by Feroz Shah Tughlaq in the 14th century.
  3. Delhi- Meerut: Originally erected in Meerut (Uttar Pradesh), the pillar was transferred to Delhi by Feroz Shah Tughlaq in the 14th century.
  4. Allahabad or Kausambi (Prayagraj district, UP)
  5. Lauriya Araraj (Champaran district, Bihar)
  6. Lauriya Nandangarh (Champaran district, Bihar)
  7. Rampurva (Champaran district, Bihar)

Minor Pillar Edicts

• Minor pillar edicts are 4 separate edicts inscribed on the Ashokan pillars. They include the following:
  1. Schism pillar edict
  2. Queen’s edict
  3. Nigali Sagar inscription
  4. Rummindei pillar inscription

Schism Pillar Edict

• The schism edict warns the senior officials (Mahamatras), urging them to avoid dissension and stay united. It warns the members of the sangha against causing division in ranks and outlines the punishment for those monks and nuns who cause divisions within the Buddhist Sangha.
• These pillar edicts are found at Sanchi, Sarnath, and Kausambi (Allahabad).

Queen’s Gift Edict

• Queen’s Gift Edict (Allahabad Pillar Queen's Gifts Edict) is a minor pillar inscription of the Ashoka found on the Kausambi pillar. The edict records the donation of mango groves, gardens, and alms houses by the queen Karuvaki, Ashoka's second queen.

Tarai Pillar Edicts

Nigali Sagar Pillar Inscription

• The Nigali Sagar pillar inscription is located near Lumbini in Nigalihawa (Nepal).
• The English translation of the inscription is given below:
  • In the 14^th year of his reign, Beloved of the Gods Priyadarsin (Ashoka) expanded the stupa of Buddha Kanakamuni for the second time. In the 20^th year, he personally visited the site, paid reverence, and erected a stone pillar.

Rummindei Pillar Inscription

• The Rummindei (Lumbini) pillar inscription, in Brahmi script and Prakrit, is on a stone pillar in Lumbini (Nepal). It commemorates Emperor Ashoka’s visit to Lumbini (birthplace of the Buddha). It also mentioned the tax exemption in Lumbini by Ashoka.
• The English translation of the inscription is given below:
  • In the 20^th year of his reign, King Devanampriya Priyadarsin (Ashoka) visited this site to worship it, as it was the birthplace of Buddha Sakyamuni. He erected a stone pillar and a stone wall to mark the sacred spot (birthplace of Buddha). He exempted the village of Lumbini from Bali (tribute) and reduced the bhaga (the royal share of the produce) to one-eighth.

PYQs

[UPSC CSE 2022] Consider the following pairs:

Site of Ashoka's major rock edicts: Location in the State of

1. Dhauli: Odisha
2. Erragudi: Andhra Pradesh
3. Jaugada: Madhya Pradesh
4. Kalsi: Karnataka

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

1. Only one pair
2. Only two pairs
3. Only three pairs
4. All four pairs

Explanation

Answer: (b) Only two pairs

[UPSC CSE 2016] Who of the following had first deciphered the edicts of Emperor Ashoka?

1. Georg Buhler
2. James Prinsep
3. Max Muller
4. William Jones

Explanation

Answer: (b) James Prinsep

[JKPSC 2024] Consider the following statements with regard to the Rock Edicts of Ashoka:

1. References to many kinds of Mahamattas
2. Pradesikas, Rajukas and Yuktas were important officials at the district level
3. Reference to city administration run by six committees of five members each
4. References to pativedakas and pulisani

Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. i and ii only
2. i and iii only
3. i, ii and iii only
4. i, ii and iv only

Explanation

Answer: (d) i, ii and iv only

[UPSC CDS (I) 2026] Which of the pairs of Ashokan inscription and location is/are correctly matched?

1. Jaugada: Karnataka
2. Bahapur: New Delhi
3. Rajula-Mandagiri: Andhra Pradesh

Select the answer using the codes given below:

1. 1 only
2. 1, 2 and 3
3. 3 only
4. 2 and 3 only

Explanation

Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only

[UPSC CDS (I) 2025] Which one of the following statements about Ashoka's inscriptions is correct?

1. The Major Rock Edict found in Kerala is in Sanskrit.
2. Minor Rock Edicts in Bihar are found only in Pataliputra.
3. The Dhauli Major Rock Edict makes a mention of the Kalinga War.
4. Kalsi in Uttarakhand is a site of Major Rock Edicts.

Explanation

Answer: (d) Kalsi in Uttarakhand is a site of Major Rock Edicts.

[UPSC CDS (I) 2025] Which one of the following present-day territories was outside the limits of Ashoka's empire?

1. Brahmaputra Valley, Assam
2. Baluchistan
3. North Bengal
4. Kashmir valley

Explanation

Answer: (a) Brahmaputra valley, Assam

[UPSC CDS I 2023] Consider the following statements about the Kanaganahalli archaeological site:

1. It is situated on the bank of Bhima river.
2. The remains of the Kanaganahalli Stupa can be dated between 1st and 3rd centuries CE.
3. Emperor Ashoka's image was found at the site.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

[UPSC CDS I 2022] Consider the following statements about Ashoka's faith in Buddhism:

1. Rummindei Pillar Inscription and Nigali Sagar Pillar Inscription provide clear evidence of Ashoka's faith in Buddhism.
2. Minor Rock Edict I gives evidence of a sudden change in Ashoka's faith in Buddhism.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

Answer: (a) 1 only

[UPSC NDA II 2023] Which one of the following Ashokan Minor Rock Edicts contains the personal name of King Ashoka?

1. Maski
2. Bahapur
3. Bairat
4. Sahasram

Explanation

Answer: (a) Maski

[UPSC CAPF 2016] Ashokan inscriptions in Afghanistan are written in which one of the following scripts?

1. Brahmi
2. Sharada
3. Kharoshthi
4. Greek-Aramaic

Explanation

Answer: (d) Greek-Aramaic

For more information on this topic, refer to PMF IAS Ancient and Medieval Indian History book by Dr. Vishwjeet Kawar