For detailed information about the Maurya Empire, the ‘Ashoka Inscription,’ also known as ‘Edicts of Ashoka,’ were important as primary sources. After Bindusara’s death, his son, the great Ashoka, ascended the throne of Pataliputra around 273 BCE. Ashoka was the first king in Indian history who propagated his messages and activities through inscribed edicts. In this regard, he followed the custom of the former Persian king Darius I. In 1837 CE, James Prinsep, an employee of the Calcutta Mint and associated with the Asiatic Society, deciphered Ashoka’s inscriptions. Prinsep’s collaborators in this regard were Alexander Cunningham and Lassen.
The Harappan script, which is currently untranslated, is used in the oldest inscriptions found on the Indian subcontinent. Brahmi and Kharoshthi contain the oldest known deciphered inscriptions, which date to the late 4th century BCE.
These inscriptions include the writings of the Mauryan emperor Ashoka, which are written in various languages and scripts, primarily in the Prakrit language and Brahmi script.” The word ‘lipi’ (script) is mentioned in Panini’s “Ashtadhyayi,” which highlights the early references to writing systems in ancient India.
Recently, important direct evidence that Brahmi existed in Pre-Maurya times has come from Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka, where excavations unearthed potsherds with short inscriptions that can be dated to at least the early 4th century BCE.
Language and Script of Ashoka Inscription
Ashoka inscriptions were composed in various languages and scripts. There were mainly three languages: Prakit, Aramic, and Greek. And there were two scripts: Brahmi and Kharoshthi. Although most of Ashoka’s inscriptions were engraved in Prakit language and Brahmi script, only in Mansehra and Shahbazgarhi in Pakistan, inscriptions in Prakit language and Kharoshthi script were notable.
The Kharoshthi script’s writing direction is the opposite of the Brahmi script, which is written from left to right. Kharoshthi is a right-handed script written from right to left. The core of Kharoshthi was located in the North West, in particular in the valleys of Indus, Swat, and Kabul, which is also known as Gandhara. In the north of India, the Indo-Greek, Indo-Parthian, and Kushana sovereigns later came to use Kharoshthi. It was also used in some records outside of the Gandhara region, such as in some regions of central Asia.
Bilingual inscriptions of Ashoka were also found in Ashokan edicts. Discoveries within and outside the Indian subcontinent have yielded numerous bilingual Ashokan inscriptions.
A bilingual Greek-Aramic inscription was discovered in Shar-i-Kuna, near Kandahar, in southern-eastern Afghanistan.
During his time, two Aramaic inscriptions were found in Taxila and Laghman in Eastern Afghanistan.
Separate bilingual inscriptions in Prakit and Aramaic were found in Lampaka and Kandahar, which is another example of such discoveries.
Later, in Maski (Karnataka), Udegolam (Karnataka), Nittur (Karnataka), and Gujjara (Madhyapradesh) were the sites where various versions of an important inscription called the “Minor Rock Edict I” were found. These versions mentioned the name of King Ashoka, which was not present in the earlier versions.
Edicts of Ashoka: Types of Inscriptions
Ashoka’s Edicts were mainly inscribed on rock faces, pillars, and cave walls. Therefore, these can be divided into three main categories. They are Rock Edicts of Ashoka, Pillar Edicts of Ashoka, and Cave Edicts of Ashoka.
Rock Edicts of Ashoka and Pillar Edicts of Ashoka were further divided into two categories: Major and Minor. They are:
- Major Rock Edicts.
- Minor Rock Edicts.
- Major Pillar Edicts.
- Minor Pillar Edicts.
- Cave Edicts.
Major Rock Edicts of Ashoka
Among Ashoka’s Rock Edicts, there were 14 Major Rock Edicts. Ashoka’s 14 Major Rock Edicts were found collectively in 10 places. The 10 places where these Major Rock Edicts of Ashoka were found are:
- Shar-i-Kuna (Kandahar): Currently located in Afghanistan. Fragments of Major Rock Edicts XII and XIII written in Greek language were unearthed.
- Mansehra: It is situated in the Hazara district, Pakistan. Major Rock Edicts XIV containing Kharosthi script and Prakrit language were found.
- Shahbazgarhi: It is located in the Peshawar district of Pakistan. Here too, Major Rock Edicts XIV in Kharoshthi script and Prakit language were found.
- Kalsi: Kalsi is located in Dehradun district of Uttarakhand. Major Rock Edicts XIV were found here in Brahmi script.
- Girnar: Currently located in Gujarat and Kathiawar. Major Rock Edicts XIV were found in Brahmi script.
- Sopara: Located in Thane district of Maharashtra. Major Rock Edicts VIII and IX were found in Brahmi script.
- Erragudi: Located in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. Here too, Major Rock Edicts XIV were found in Brahmi script.
- Sannati: Located in the Gulbarga district of Karnataka. Major Rock Edicts XII and XIV were found.
- Dhauli: Located in the Puri district of Odisha. The three Major Rock Edicts XI, XII, and XIII were found in Brahmi script.
- Jaugada: Located in the Ganjam district of Odisha. Major Rock Edicts XI, XII, and XIII were found in Brahmi script.
Currently, two special edicts have been discovered in place of Major Rock Edicts XI, XII, and XIII, which are now located in Dhauli and Jaugada. These are collectively called “Kalinga Rock Edicts.” These edicts contain Ashoka’s famous statement, “Savve Munisse Paja Mama.” One of Ashoka’s edicts written in Aramaic script was found in Takshashila, and another edict was found in Jalalabad in eastern Afghanistan.
Features Inscribed in 14 Major Rock Edicts of Ashoka
Major Rock Edicts I
- Prohibitions on celebrations and the killing of animals.
- Only two peacocks and one deer could be killed during sacrifices at any event. In the twelfth year of Ashoka’s rule, this Rock Edict was inscribed.
- Ashoka said that the relationship between the king and his subjects is like that of father and son.
Major Rock Edicts II
- There are descriptions of social and public welfare (road construction, digging tanks, planting saplings, etc.) works.
- He advised us to take care of every human being and every animal.
- Mentions the south Indian kingdoms such as Cholas, Pandya, Keralaputra (Chera), and Tamraparni (Srilanka).
- This Rock Edict was inscribed in the twelfth year of Ashoka’s reign.
- This Rock Edict also mentioned Ashoka’s paternalism.
Major Rock Edicts III
- Respect for Brahmanas and Sramanas (monks of heterodox religions).
- Every 5 years, prominent officials would go to every village to preach dharma.
- This rock edict was inscribed in the twelfth year of Ashoka’s reign.
- Information about the administration of the Maurya Empire was found.
- In this Rock Edict, mention of ‘Palisa or Parisad’ was found.
Major Rock Edicts IV
- He considered the practice of non-violence to be the best, so he ordered all subjects to avoid the path of violence. Ashoka therefore started dhammagosha (sound of righteousness) instead of bherigosha (sound of war drums) following the religion of non-violence.
- The Killing of animals to a large extent was stopped.
- Showing respect to elders and relatives.
- It was also mentioned that Rajukas have the power to judge.
Major Rock Edicts V
- Humane and kind treatment of slaves.
- Appointment of dhammamahamatras to propagate dhamma.
- Emperor used to pardon prisoners for good behavior on his coronation anniversary.
Major Rock Edicts VI
- Public welfare.
- Theory of kingship.
- All the people are my children.
- Here too, ‘parisad’ is mentioned.
- The need for efficient administration, explaining the purpose of dharma to the people.
Major Rock Edicts VII
- Tolerance to each other’s religions (repeated 12 edicts).
- It was mentioned to establish dharma pillars for the spiritual development of the general public.
Major Rock Edicts VIII
- Gave up viharayatras for dhammayatras.
- Describe the Ashoka 1st time dhammayatra to the Bodhgaya and Bodhi trees.
Major Rock Edicts IX
- Criticism of ceremonies by people, especially women.
- To cease through sacrificings and ceremonials and commence Dhamma practice.
Major Rock Edicts X
- Dhamma, defined by King Ashoka, is “freedom from evil.” It means “not doing bad things.”
- It is mentioned that one has to forsake the king’s glory and fame.
Major Rock Edicts XI
- Dhamma elaborately discussed.
- It was mentioned that dharma-dana (the gift of dharma) is superior to all other gifts.
Major Rock Edicts XII
- Mention of Itthijhakka-mahamattas is found.
- He instructed us to refrain from criticizing other religions or sects and consider one’s own religion as superior for the sake of increasing its glory.
- Ashoka orders the people to live in harmony and coexistence.
Major Rock Edicts XIII
- It is the largest and most important Edict among all the Major Rock Edicts, covering the Kalinga War, the southern kingdoms, and five modern-day Greek rulers and their kingdoms.
- The Greek kings and kingdoms in order of Ashoka’s envoys are:
| Ashoka’s Envoy | Greek Ruler and Kingdom |
| Amtiyoko | Antiochus Theos of Syria. |
| Turayama | Ptolemy Philadelphus II of Egypt/Misor. |
| Antikini | Antigonus of Macedonia. |
| Maka | Magas of Cyrene or Libya. |
| Alikasudaro | Alexander of Epirus or Greece. |
Major Rock Edicts XIV
- Mention of information related to the northwest frontier.
- Description of the purpose of inscribing Rock edicts.
- This was inscribed in the eighteenth year of Ashoka.
Minor Rock Edicts of Ashoka
There were two Minor Rock Edicts of Ashoka. The first Minor Rock Edicts were found in 17 different places in India. These places are: Bahapur (Delhi), Ahraura (Mirzapur, UP), Gujarra (MP), Rajulamandagiri (AP), Maski (Karnataka), Sasaram or Sahasram (Bihar), Nittur (Bellarydistrict, Karnataka), Bairat (Joypur, Rajasthan), Panguraria (MP), Palkigundu (Karnataka), Erragudi (AP), Rupnath (Jabalpur, MP), Jatinga Rameshwara (Karnataka), Brahmagiri (Karnataka), Udegolam (Karnataka), Gavimath (Karnataka), and Siddapura (Karnataka).
The second Minor Rock Edicts were found in seven places, those places are Brahmagiri, Diddapura, Jatinga Rameshwara, Nittur, Udegolam, Erragudi, and Rajula Mandagiri.
In the Minor Rock Edicts found at Maski, Ashoka first referred to himself as “Devanampriya Priyadarshi.” Recently, three Minor Rock Edicts of Ashoka were found in Sannati village of Gulbarga district in Karnataka.
Minor Rock Edicts I: Ashoka has been a lay follower for a little over two and a half years.
Minor Rock Edicts III: Found at Bairat (also known as Bhabru). In this inscription, Emperor Ashoka sends good wishes to the Sangha, expresses confidence in “Budhha,” “Dhamma,” and “Sangha,” and makes a recommendation to the even people, the monks and nuns, about six texts of Dhamma that they read and review quite often.
Major Pillar Edicts of Ashoka
There was a total of seven Major Pillar Edicts of Ashoka. The seven Pillar Edicts were found in Kandahar (Afghanistan), Delhi-Meerut (Meerut, Up), Delhi-Topra (Ambala District, Haryana), Allahabad (UP), Rampurva (Champaran, Bihar), Lauriya-Nandangarh (Champaran, Bihar), and Lauriya Araraj (Champaran, Bihar).
| Pillar Edicts of Ashoka | Features inscribed in Edicts |
| Major Pillar Edicts I | It refers to Ashoka’s idea of protecting people. |
| Major Pillar Edicts II | Through these edicts, he expounded on the characteristics, rules, and nature of ‘dhamma,’ and how human character can be improved by following it. |
| Major Pillar Edicts III | Ashoka told everyone to renounce harshness, cruelty, and anger. |
| Major Pillar Edicts IV | Details with duties rajukas. Ashoka did not abolish the capital punishment. |
| Major Pillar Edicts V | The list of animals and birds that shall not be killed on the listed day. No animal should be killed in any ceremony. It is also mentioned in these Piller Edicts that Ashoka released a total of 25 prisoners from captivity. |
| Major Pillar Edicts VI | Describe the dhamma policy of the state. Every sect aspires to mental purity and self-control. |
| Major Pillar Edicts VII | This Pillar Edict was the longest. |
‘Allahabad Major Pillar Edicts’ has the inscriptions of not only Ashoka but of Samudragupta and Jahangir. Another Pillar Edict similar to this one was found, which was thought to have been brought by Emperor Ashoka from Kausambi.
Minor Pillar Edicts of Ashoka
There were six Minor Pillar Edicts of Ashoka. These six Minor Pillar Edicts were found in Sarnath (UP). Allahabad (UP), Kausambi (UP), Sanchi (MP), Lumbini/Rummindei (Nepal), and Nigalisagar, also called Nigliva (Nepal).
- Rummindei Pillar Inscription
Ashoka came to Lumbini city in the 20th year of his reign to visit Buddha’s birthplace. After coming here, he abolished the ‘Bali’ tax as revenue and reduced the ‘Bhaga’ tax to 1/2 percent.
- Nigalisagar Pillar Inscription
The inscription records Ashoka’s actions during his 14th and 20th years of reign. Ashoka visited the Buddhist stupa of Kanakamuni in the 14th and 20th years of his reign, and he doubled the size of Kanakamuni’s stupa for the second time. The word stupa for this pillar was previously used as Thube in the Pali language. In 1312 CE, King Ripu Malla added the words “Om Mani Padme Hum” and “Sri Ripu Malla Chiram Jayatu 1234,” in the inscription.
Cave Edicts of Ashoka
There were three cave edicts of Ashoka. These edicts were found in Barabara hill near Gaya in Bihar. In the Barabar Caves near Gaya in Bihar, Ashoka’s donation to the Ajivikas is mentioned. Three cave inscriptions of Ashoka’s grandson Dasharatha were found in the Nagarjuni Cave near the Barabar Caves.
Barabar Caves are a group of four caves that are part of Barabar Hill. “Lomas Rishi Caves,” “Sudama Caves,” “Vishwakarma Caves,” and “Karan Chaupar Caves” are the names of these four caves. Also, there are three Nagarjuni Caves, the “Vedathi-Ka-Kubha,” “Vapiya-Ka-Kubha,” and “Gopi-Ka-Kubha” located in Jehanabad, Bihar. Together, these seven caves; four from Barabar Hill and three from Nagarjuni, are collectively known as the “Seven Sister Caves.”
Conclusion
The Mauryan rulers were the first to establish a well-planned, well-structured, and centralized system of governance in India. The role of Ashoka and his edicts in this was undeniable. Emperor Ashoka established a new ideal in royal duty through these edicts. By establishing a strong relationship with all subjects throughout the empire, he strengthened the foundation of his empire. The Edicts not only inform about the state of the Maurya Empire during Ashoka’s time but also give indications of how he governed the empire during his reign.
