What were Ashoka’s edicts?
Quick Answer
Ashoka’s edicts were inscriptions issued by the Maurya emperor Ashoka across South Asia. They were carved on rocks and pillars in the 3rd century BCE.
The Full Story
Ashoka’s edicts are a major source for ancient Indian history. After the Kalinga War, Ashoka promoted ideas of nonviolence, ethical conduct, welfare, and respect among peoples and religions. He had messages carved into stone pillars and rock faces in Prakrit and other local languages, using scripts such as Brahmi and Kharosthi. These inscriptions spread royal policy across a huge empire and reveal Ashoka’s effort to govern through moral instruction as well as power.
Key Facts
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"Ancient India’s emperor who wrote his beliefs in stone"
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