Ashokan Rock and Pillar edicts Flashcards
Ashoka’s Edicts - Overview
Ashoka’s edicts were inscribed on rocks & pillars across South Asia to spread Dhamma (moral law), administration, and public welfare policies. They are classified into: 1. Major Rock Edicts (14 edicts) | 2. Minor Rock Edicts | 3. Pillar Edicts.
Major Rock Edict I
Theme: Ban on animal sacrifice | Locations: Girnar (Gujarat), Kalsi (Uttarakhand), Shahbazgarhi & Mansehra (Pakistan), Dhauli & Jaugada (Odisha), Sopara (Maharashtra), Lauriya-Nandangarh (Bihar).
Major Rock Edict II
Theme: Public welfare & medicinal treatment | Locations: Same as Edict I | Special Feature: Mentions herbal gardens & hospitals for humans & animals.
Major Rock Edict III
Theme: Promotion of Dhamma | Locations: Same as Edict I + Erragudi (Andhra Pradesh) | Special Feature: Orders officials to spread Dhamma every five years.
Major Rock Edict IV
Theme: Impact of Dhamma on society | Locations: Same as Edict III | Special Feature: Describes how moral progress reduced crime & cruelty.
Major Rock Edict V
Theme: Appointment of Dhamma Mahamatras | Locations: Same as Edict IV | Special Feature: Introduces officials for social welfare & religious tolerance.
Major Rock Edict VI
Theme: King’s duty to listen to people | Locations: Same as Edict V | Special Feature: Ashoka states he is always available for public grievances.
Major Rock Edict VII
Theme: Religious tolerance | Locations: Girnar, Shahbazgarhi, Kalsi, Dhauli, Jaugada, Lauriya-Nandangarh, Sopara | Special Feature: Calls for harmony among all religions.
Major Rock Edict VIII
Theme: Pilgrimage instead of hunting | Locations: Girnar, Shahbazgarhi, Mansehra, Kalsi, Lauriya-Nandangarh | Special Feature: Mentions Ashoka’s Dhamma Yatras (pilgrimages).
Major Rock Edict IX
Theme: Criticism of rituals | Locations: Girnar, Shahbazgarhi, Mansehra, Kalsi, Dhauli, Lauriya-Nandangarh | Special Feature: Promotes morality over empty rituals.
Major Rock Edict X
Theme: Rejection of fame & glory | Locations: Same as Edict IX | Special Feature: Ashoka values Dhamma over conquest.
Major Rock Edict XI
Theme: Definition of Dhamma | Locations: Same as Edict X | Special Feature: Describes Dhamma as ethical living, not religious conversion.
Major Rock Edict XII
Theme: Strongest message of religious tolerance | Locations: Kalsi, Girnar, Shahbazgarhi, Mansehra, Dhauli | Special Feature: Urges people not to criticize other religions.
Major Rock Edict XIII
Theme: Ashoka’s remorse for the Kalinga War | Locations: Found at all major rock edict sites | Special Feature: Most famous edict—mentions Kalinga’s destruction & Ashoka’s transformation.
Major Rock Edict XIV
Theme: Summary of all edicts | Locations: Found at multiple sites | Special Feature: Explains why edicts were written in different regions.
Minor Rock Edict I
Theme: Ashoka’s personal conversion to Buddhism | Locations: Brahmagiri, Siddapur, Jatinga-Rameshwara (Karnataka); Rupnath (Madhya Pradesh); Panguraria (MP); Maski (Karnataka); Sahasram (Bihar); Bairat (Rajasthan); Rajula Mandagiri (Andhra Pradesh).
Minor Rock Edict II
Theme: Buddhist teachings | Locations: Found at Maski (Karnataka), Brahmagiri, Bairat, and others.
Bhabru Edict
Theme: Ashoka’s favorite Buddhist texts | Location: Bhabru, Rajasthan | Special Feature: Recommends seven Buddhist texts for study.
Queen’s Edict
Theme: Welfare of women | Location: Rajula Mandagiri (Andhra Pradesh) | Special Feature: Issued by Ashoka’s Queen Karuvaki, mentioning her charity work.
Pillar Edict I
Theme: King’s concern for welfare | Locations: Delhi-Topra, Lauriya-Araraj | Special Feature: Declares Ashoka’s desire to serve the people.
Pillar Edict II
Theme: Public health | Location: Delhi-Topra | Special Feature: Mentions hospital construction & medical aid.
Pillar Edict III
Theme: Respect for all religions | Location: Delhi-Topra | Special Feature: Advocates equal respect for all sects.
Pillar Edict IV
Theme: Impact of Dhamma | Location: Delhi-Topra | Special Feature: Describes moral progress under Ashoka’s rule.
Pillar Edict V
Theme: Role of Dhamma Mahamatras | Location: Delhi-Topra | Special Feature: Talks about justice for women & prisoners.
Pillar Edict VI
Theme: Direct contact with the king | Location: Delhi-Topra | Special Feature: Declares Ashoka is always open to public grievances.
Pillar Edict VII
Theme: Summary of Dhamma policy | Location: Delhi-Topra | Special Feature: Urges people to follow morality & respect all religions.
Sarnath Lion Capital (India’s National Emblem)
Location: Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh | Special Feature: Features four lions standing back to back | Fun Fact: Adopted as India’s National Emblem.
Rampurva Bull Capital
Location: Rampurva, Bihar | Special Feature: Features a beautifully carved zebu bull.
Sanchi Pillar
Location: Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh | Special Feature: Features bell-shaped capital with inscriptions.
Lauria Nandangarh Pillars
Location: Bihar | Special Feature: Contain edicts on justice & Dhamma.
Topra & Meerut Pillars (Shifted to Delhi)
Original Location: Topra (Haryana), Meerut (UP) | Current Location: Delhi | Special Feature: Shifted by Firoz Shah Tughlaq in the 14th century.
Pillars in Afghanistan
Locations: Kandahar, Afghanistan | Special Feature: Ashokan inscriptions in Greek & Aramaic, showing his diplomatic influence.
