Edicts of Ashoka
In the year 260 BCE, a stone slab stood in Old Kandahar, modern Afghanistan. It bore words in Greek and Aramaic. These were not random carvings but official commands from Emperor Ashoka of the Maurya Empire. He ruled most of the Indian subcontinent between 268 BCE and 232 BCE. The text declared his policy on dhamma to distant Hellenistic rulers like Antiochus II. This inscription marked the first tangible evidence of Buddhism found anywhere. Earlier texts like Vedic scriptures had been passed down orally for centuries. No written record existed before these stone messages carved into rock and pillars. They remain exactly as they were originally inscribed three millennia ago.
British archaeologist James Prinsep published results in March 1838 that changed history forever. He translated inscriptions on large numbers of rock edicts scattered across India. Before this moment, scripts like Brahmi and Kharoshthi had become extinct around the 5th century CE. Christian Lassen made initial progress in 1836 using bilingual coins of King Agathocles. Prinsep completed the task with help from Major Cunningham. He identified characters for the full Brahmi alphabet within a remarkably short period. His work removed what historian Sourindranath Roy called a thick crust of oblivion. The mystery of both Kharoshthi and Brahmi scripts unlocked in just three years from 1834 to 1837. This breakthrough revealed names like Devanampriya Piyadasi hidden within the ancient text.
Scholars divide the Edicts into four distinct groups based on size and material. Minor Rock Edicts appear at the beginning of Ashoka's reign in Prakrit, Greek, and Aramaic. These texts are generally very short with poor technical quality compared to later works. Major Rock Edicts contain fourteen separate messages plus two found in Odisha written in Prakrit and Greek. They focus on practical instructions for running an empire rather than personal details. Minor Pillar Edicts include the Schism Edict and Queen's Edict inscribed on columns in Prakrit. Major Pillar Edicts consist of seven detailed messages carved at the end of his reign between 237 and 236 BCE. Chronologically, minor inscriptions tend to precede larger ones while rock inscriptions started earlier than pillar ones.
Ashoka used his power to try making life better for people throughout his vast domain. He showed great concern for fairness in justice by regularly pardoning prisoners. The edicts mention a fine of one hundred panas coins for poaching deer in imperial hunting preserves. This rule suggests that rule-breakers did exist despite royal decrees. He protected fauna and even relinquished the imperial hunt entirely. Officials tasked with protection duty monitored natural resources across the Mauryan Empire. Ashoka advocated restraint in killing animals for consumption and condemned violent acts like castration. He established officers of faith to survey welfare and propagate Dharma throughout territories. Roadside facilities improved to make travel more comfortable for subjects and travelers alike.
The word dhamma translates to piety in Greek versions found in Kandahar. No mention appears anywhere of Buddha's specific teachings within these translations. Ashoka defined main principles as non-violence and tolerance of all sects and opinions. He encouraged respect for brahmins and other religious teachers without forcing conversion. The Barabar caves were built for ascetic sects like Ajivikas alongside Buddhists. This illustrates deep respect for multiple faiths coexisting under one ruler. Explicit mentions of Buddhism appear only in Minor Rock Edicts and Minor Pillar Edicts. Beyond affirming himself as Buddhist, he insisted the word of Buddha be read by monastic circles. His approach remained largely ecumenical and non-sectarian in nature throughout his reign.
Major Rock Edict Number Thirteen names five Hellenistic rulers by their specific titles. Antiochus II ruled from Syria to Bactria between 305 BCE and 250 BCE. Ptolemy II Philadelphos governed Egypt from 285 BCE until 247 BCE. Antigonus II Gonatas held Macedonia from 278 BCE to 239 BCE. Magas of Cyrene and Alexander II of Epirus also received emissaries sent by Ashoka. These Greek kings lived six hundred yojanas away which equals over two thousand kilometers. Evidence suggests Kandahar Greeks transmitted Indian ideas to philosophical circles in Alexandria. Scholars note parallels between Buddhism and Epicureanism regarding states of equanimity. The philosopher Hegesias of Cyrene may have been influenced by Buddhist missionaries there. His influence was so strong that he was ultimately prohibited from teaching publicly.
The first examples of Hindu-Arabic numerals appeared in Brahmi scripts used during Ashoka's time. A numeral for six appears when Ashoka explains touring for two hundred fifty-six days. This system involved different symbols for units, dozens, or hundreds without positional notation. Zero and mature positional systems were invented much later around the 6th century CE. Prakrit remained the main inscriptional language for centuries until Sanskrit rose from the 1st century CE. Louis Renou called this the great linguistic paradox of India since Sanskrit is a descendant of Prakrit. The Brahmi script stayed readable down to the 4th century CE during the Gupta period. For nearly seven hundred years, these inscriptions remained visible and understandable to everyone in India. They began an important tradition of royal epigraphical inscriptions across the subcontinent.
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Common questions
When did Emperor Ashoka rule the Maurya Empire?
Emperor Ashoka ruled most of the Indian subcontinent between 268 BCE and 232 BCE. He issued official commands from stone slabs in places like Old Kandahar during this period.
Who translated the ancient Brahmi script used in Edicts of Ashoka?
British archaeologist James Prinsep published results in March 1838 that changed history forever by translating inscriptions on large numbers of rock edicts scattered across India. He completed the task with help from Major Cunningham after Christian Lassen made initial progress in 1836 using bilingual coins of King Agathocles.
What are the four distinct groups of Edicts of Ashoka based on size and material?
Scholars divide the Edicts into Minor Rock Edicts, Major Rock Edicts, Minor Pillar Edicts, and Major Pillar Edicts. Minor Rock Edicts appear at the beginning of Ashoka's reign while Major Pillar Edicts consist of seven detailed messages carved at the end of his reign between 237 and 236 BCE.
Which Hellenistic rulers received emissaries from Emperor Ashoka according to Major Rock Edict Number Thirteen?
Major Rock Edict Number Thirteen names five Hellenistic rulers including Antiochus II who ruled from Syria to Bactria between 305 BCE and 250 BCE. Ptolemy II Philadelphos governed Egypt from 285 BCE until 247 BCE and Antigonus II Gonatas held Macedonia from 278 BCE to 239 BCE.
When did the Brahmi script used for Edicts of Ashoka become readable again after extinction?
Scripts like Brahmi and Kharoshthi had become extinct around the 5th century CE before British archaeologist James Prinsep published results in March 1838 that changed history forever. The Brahmi script stayed readable down to the 4th century CE during the Gupta period for nearly seven hundred years.