Ashokan Inscriptions Occupy a Very Significant

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REFERENCES • « r ~ « £ % y. CHOLA A MAJOR ROCK EDICTS

• PILLAR INSCRIPTIONS

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V V" /Vsliokau Inscriptions

Ashokan inscriptions occupy a very significant

place in the history of India. They ai;c very helpful

in reconstructing the history of the Mauryan period.

Undoubtedly, Ashoka was the first ruler in the history

of India who spoke directly to his people through

Scanned with CamScanner his inscriptions and got engraved his5 eddicts on

stones. These inscriptions have been found on stones,

polished stone pillars and the walls of the caves..

The inscriptions on rocks are called Rock Edicts

and those, on pillars pillar Edicts. The inscriptions

■ of Ashoka have been found in India, Nepal, Pakistan

■ aiid Afghanistan. V T

■ v ; . The Ashokan inscriptions can be divided in the

following categories;

1. The Rock Edicts

Of Ashokan Rock Edicts the fourteen Rock Edicts

are the most important. These Rock Edicts refer

• ; to fourteen main policies or edicts regarding

administration and religion, hence they are known as

Fourteen Rock Edicts. The Fourteen Rock Edicts have

. been found at Kandhar, Mansehra, Shahbazgarhi, Kalsi,

Girnar, Sopara, Sannati, Shishupalgarh and Jaugada.

2. The Minor Rock Edicts

The Minor Rock Edicts particularly refer to Ashoka's

personal life, his deep 'devotion in Buddhism and

essence of Dharma; The Minor Rock Edicts have been * * ' * . found at Bahapur, Bairat, Bhabm, Maski, Gavimath,

Palkigundu, JatingRameshwar,. Udegolam, Rajula

Mandagiri, Nittlir, Brahmagiri and Siddapur. v Scanned with CamScanner 3. The Pillar Inscriptions

The Pillar Inscriptions particularly refer to Ashoka's

measures for the propagation and spread of Dhamma.

Of the Pillair Inscriptions, the Seven Pillar Inscriptions

are particularly, popular. Probably, because of the

inscription of seven edicts, they were known as Seven

Pillar Inscriptions. However, it is worthy to hpte that

all the seven edicts are found engraved only on Delhi-

, Topara Pillar; the other Pillars have six or less than

six edicts. The Pillar Inscriptions have been found at

Topra, Meerut, Nigalisagar, Rummindei,Ram"purwa,

Lauriya Nandangarh, LaUriya Araraj, Samath,

Sasaram, Ahraura, Kaushambi, Gujarra and Sanchi.

Significance r

Undoubtedly, the Ashokan inscriptions or edicts

(found in the form of Rock edicts, Pillar inscriptions

and Gave inscriptions) occupy a very significant

place in the history of India. They give us a complete

picture of the conquests, administrative policies of;

Emperor Ashoka and his measures for the spread of

Dhamma as well.'

Scanned with CamScanner They also throw light on the extent of Ashoka's empire and also on his relations with the neighbouring countries. The Rock Edicts and Pillar Inscriptions are admirable specimens of art as well.

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