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EDICTS AND INSCRIPTIONS
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Edicts and Inscriptions
Introduction
• Edicts are proclamations or orders issued by a ruler or authority for public
knowledge.
• They are primarily focused on communicating policies, rules, or ethical principles for
governance.
• Inscriptions are writings engraved on durable surfaces, such as stones, metals, or
clay, for historical, religious, or commemorative purposes.
• They serve as historical records to commemorate events, achievements, conquests,
and donations.
Key Differences Between Edicts and Inscriptions:
Aspect Edicts Inscriptions
Definition Public proclamations issued by rulers Writings engraved on surfaces for
or authorities. historical purposes.
Purpose Spread policies, rules, and ethical Document events, achievements, or
principles. donations.
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Content Policy-oriented; focuses on Historical narratives, eulogies, and Notable Rock Edicts of Ashoka
governance and morals. genealogies.
Edict Feature
Medium Found on pillars, rocks, and walls in Found on temples, tombs, artefacts, and
Major Rock Edict I Prohibits animal sacrifice during celebrations.
public spaces. coins.
Major Rock Edict II Mentions South Indian kingdoms and focuses on medical care and
Example Ashoka's Major Rock Edict XIII on Mehrauli Iron Pillar commemorating
welfare.
peace and war. Chandragupta II.
Major Rock Edict Ensures freedom for Brahmanas and encourages officials to promote
Ashokan Edicts and Inscriptions Ill Dhamma.
Major Rock Edict IV Prefers the sound of Dhamma (peace) over the sound of war.
• Emperor Ashoka, a Maurya dynasty ruler, embraced Buddhism after witnessing the
devastation caused by the Kalinga War.
• To spread Buddha's teachings and Dhamma, Ashoka inscribed pillar edicts, rock Major Rock Edict V Orders kind treatment for slaves and appointment of Dhamma
edicts, and cave inscriptions in various parts of his empire, covering present-day India, Mahamatras.
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Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanista~..,
Major Rock Edict Describes the transformatio'\., of Ashoka after the Kalinga War,
• Ashoka's Dhamma was not just a religion but~ way of life, emphasizing non-violence,
XIII advocating peace.
compassion, truthfulness, and s o d a *
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Major Rock Edict Explains the purpose of inscriptions and their placement.
Types of Ashokan Edicts XIV
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• Major Rock Edicts: .._'("'i Notable Pillar Edicts of Ashoka
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o Inscribed on 1WYsat the borders of Ashoka's empire, containing ethical
instru\.~o'°'jl-governance principles. Edict Feature
• Minor Rock E ~ \ v
o Found in Maski, Brahmagiri, Sasaram, Rupanath, and Bhabru-Bairat, these Pillar Edict I States Ashoka's principles for protecting people.
inscriptions detail Ashoka's personal beliefs and his conversion to Buddhism.
Pillar Edict V Lists animals and plants protected by Ashoka and describes the
• Major Pillar Edicts:
release of prisoners.
o Written during Ashoka's later reign on polished stone pillars, focusing on
Dhamma principles, governance, and non-violence. Pillar Edict VII Promotes tolerance towards all religions.
• Minor Pillar Edicts:
Rummindei Pillar Documents Ashoka's visit to Lumbini, Buddha's birthplace.
o These include Queen's edicts and Schism edicts, found on a smaller scale across
Edict
Ashoka's empire.
Nigali Sagar Pillar Mentions raising the height of Kanakamuni Buddha's shrine.
Edict
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Ashokan Edicts: Languages and Locations
• Languages Used:
o Prakrit, Aramaic, and Greek.
o Most inscriptions were in Prakrit, written in Brahmi script.
o Kharosthi script was used in Mansehra and Shabazgiri.
• Locations:
o It is found in Delhi, Sarnath, Allahabad, Kandahar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,
Vaishali, Amaravati, and Sanchi.
Significance of Ashokan Edicts and Inscriptions
• Ashoka's edicts emphasized moral conduct, compassion, and non-violence, promoting
Dhamma across his empire.
• These inscriptions played a pivotal role in governance by spreading messages of
welfare and religious tolerance. r
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Placed along highways and trade routes, they ensured accessibility to the public.
• The Ashokan edicts are some of the ~~,!_i~ublic records, showcasing ethical
governance and civic responsibili0
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Important Inscriptions and Edicts
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Inscription/Edict Location Period Significance
Sohgaura Copper Uttar Pradesh Mauryan References famine relief efforts;
Plate Period pre-Ashoka Brahmi inscription.
EDICTS OF ASHOKA Rummindei Pillar Lumbini, Nepal Ashokan Records Ashoka's pilgrimage to
Major rock edicts Edicts Period Lumbini; exempts the region from
taxes.
A Pillar. edicts
Minor rock edlc:ts Mehrauli Iron Qutub Minar, Gupta Celebrates Chandragupta ll's
Tenitorial limits Pillar Delhi Period conquests; made from rust-resistant
metal.
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Allahabad Pillar Allahabad, Uttar Multiple Contains Ashokan, Samudragupta, Bhattiprolu Andhra 3rd century The earliest Brahmi script found in
Pradesh Periods and Jahangir's inscriptions. Inscription Pradesh BCE South India; reflects early Buddhism.
Kalsi Inscription Dehradun, Ashokan Features the only complete set of Bharhut Inscriptions Madhya 2nd century Contains Buddhist inscriptions; and
Uttarakhand Period Ashoka's 14 edicts in North India. Pradesh BCE records donations for Bharhut Stupa.
Maski Inscription Karnataka Ashokan First inscription mentioning Ashoka Gwalior Inscription Madhya 875 CE Documents building of a tank by
Period by name; promotes Buddhist Pradesh Mihira Bhoja of the Gurjara-Pratihara
principles. dynasty.
Kalinga Edicts Odisha Ashokan Reflects Ashoka's transformation Amarkantak Madhya 11th century Records the donation by Kama of
Period post-Kalinga War and adoption of Inscription Pradesh CE the Kalachuri dynasty to Brahmins.
non-violence.
Mandsaur Inscription Madhya 5th century Eulogizes Kumargupta I; mentions
Aihole Inscriptions Karnataka Chalukya Mentions Pulakeshin II's victory Pradesh CE the construction of a Vishnu temple.
Period over Harshavardhana; written in
Sanchi Stupa Madhya 2nd century Highlights donations for the
Sanskrit and Kannada script. <.)
Inscriptions Pradesh BCE construction of the Sanchi Stupa.
Junagarh Gujarat 2 ~ e r y Describes the construction of the
Udayagiri Madhya ~entury Mentions the reign of Chandragupta
Inscription '"'-:~ Sudarshana Lake dam and repairs
1-- Inscriptions Pradesh II and the development of
under Skandagupta.
Vaishnavism.
Nasik Inscription Satavahana Documents Gautamiputra
Maha,, Naneghat Inscription Maharashtra 1st century Documents Satavahana queen
Period Satakarni's achievements and
victory over the Sakas.
-~ ~c, BCE Naganika's sacrifices for religious
rituals.
Hathigumpha Udayagiri-Khan 2nd Century Provides a year-by-year account of
Halmidi Inscription Karnataka 450 CE Earliest record in Kannada
Inscription dagiri, Odisha BCE Kharavela's reign; a key source of
language; marks the beginning of
Jain history.
Kannada epigraphy.
Ben Sagar Vidisha, Madhya Sunga Greek ambassador Heliodorus's
Belur Inscription Karnataka 12th century Mentions Hoysala king
Inscription Pradesh Period dedication to Lord Vasudev; written
CE Vishnuvardhana's reign and temple
in Prakrit and Brahmi script.
donations.
Other Inscriptions in Ancient India
Inscription/Edict Location Period Significance
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Tirukkural Tamil Nadu Chola period Engraved verses of Tirukkural on Rajatarangini Jammu & 12th century References historical events
Inscription temple walls, highlighting Tamil Inscription Kashmir CE documented by Kalhana in
literature. Rajatarangini.
Tiruvalangadu Tamil Nadu 11th century Records the conquests of Chola King Rajasimha Pallava Tamil Nadu 8th century Describes the reign of Rajasimha
Copper Plates CE Rajendra I. Inscription CE Pallava and temple patronage.
Kudumiyanmalai Tamil Nadu 7th century Contains musical notes on the Erukal Inscription Andhra 3rd century Mentions early Buddhist
Inscription CE Pallava dynasty's patronage of Pradesh CE monasteries and royal patronage.
music.
Talagunda Karnataka 5th century Mentions the origin of the Kadamba
Karle Inscription Maharashtra 1st century Inscriptions in Karle Caves Inscription CE dynasty and King Mayurasharman.
BCE mentioning Satavahana donations.
Ghatiyala Inscription Rajasthan 861 CE Mentions Pratihara King Bhoja I
Girnar Inscription Gujarat 2nd century Written by Rudradaman; mentions and his conquests.
CE repairs to Sudarshana Lake.
Ajanta Caves Maharashtra 5th century Records donations by Vakataka
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Gorathgiri Uttar Pradesh 1st centu~ Records Buddhist donations in the Inscriptions CE dynasty kings and merchants for the
Inscription CE Kushana period. , caves.
Jambai Inscription Tamil Nadu 1st century The earliest reference to the Sangam Modhera Sun Temple Gujarat 11th century Mentions the construction of the Sun
CE Chera dynasty in Tamil Nadu. Inscription CE Temple by Solanki King Bhima I.
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Mahabalipuram Tamil Nadu 7th century Describes Pallava dynasty's Bodh Gaya Bih~ 5th century Mentions King Meghavarna of Sri
Inscription
C, CE maritime activities. Inscription
~Clj CE Lanka's visit to Bodh Gayo and his
contributions.
Agastya Inscription Tamil Nadu 10th century References the legend of Sage
CE Agastya and southward migration of Kashi Copper Plates Uttar Pradesh 10th century Mentions donations to temples
Vedic culture. CE during the reign of King Govinda
Chandra.
Nalanda Copper Bihar 9th century Records donations to the Nalanda
Plate CE University by King Devapala. Hanumangarh Rajasthan 2nd century Mentions early Buddhist activities
Inscription BCE during the Indo-Scythian period.
Bhimbetka Rock Madhya Prehistoric Contains prehistoric paintings and
Shelters Pradesh period inscriptions, documenting early
human life.