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Ashokan Edict Sites

Posted 16 Apr 2025

2 minread

Period: Collection of more than 30 inscriptions on rocks, pillars, boulders, and cave walls, made by Emperor Ashoka of Mauryan Empire during his reign, from 268 BCE to 232 BCE.
- They are the first written inscriptionsin India following decline of Harappan civilization.
- There are 14 Major Rock Edicts, seven Pillar Edicts and some Minor Rock Inscriptions to his credit.
Purpose: His inscriptions were royal decrees, mostly in his own words, pertaining to social, cultural and administrative matters addressed to nobility, officials or general populace.
Language: Primarily Prakrit, with Aramaic and Greek in northwestern region.
Script: Brahmi (Main Script), Kharoshti (Used in Gandharan Region), Greek and Aramaic.
Materials: Pillars were made from buff-colored hard sandstone from Chunar and spotted red and white sandstone from Mathura.
Other Features of edicts:
- Locations of his edicts (Dhamma-lipis) which were majorly inscribed to advertise his policy of Dhamma allows us to estimate vast territorial spread of his empire.
- Ashoka uses his name "Devanampiya" (Beloved of the Gods) in four places namely: Maski, Brahmagiri (Karnataka), Gujjara (MP), and Nettur (AP).
- Kanganahalli Inscription Found on a stupa in Karnataka, identifies Ashoka as "Ranyo Asoka" (King Ashoka).