Ashoka’s inscription - represt 1st tangible evidence of Buddhism, can be divided into 3
Pillar edicts (7)
Major rock edicts (14) (here 3 language and 4 scripts use for these 14, most inscriptions are in prakrit langu. And brahmi
script)
Minor rock edicts
Pillar edicts Description
1 Ashoka’s principle of protecting his people.
2 Dhamma
3 Avoiding practices of brutality , sin, harshness, pride and anger among his subjects.
4 Responsibilities of the Rajukas.
5 List of animals and birds that should not be killed on certain days. Another list which mentions animals that
should never be killed.
6 Dhamma policy of the State.
7 Ashoka’s work for fulfilling Dhamma. Tolerance for all sects.
Major rock Description
edicts
1 Prohibits animal slaughter and bans festive gathering.
2 Care for man and animals. Mentions the Pandyas, Satyapuras and Keralaputras of South India.
3 Generosity to Brahmins. About Yuktas, Pradeshikas and Rajukas who would go every five years to different parts
of his empire to spread Dhamma.
4 Dhammaghosha (sound of Dhamma/righteousness) over Bherighosha (sound of war).
5 About Dhammamahamatras. Talks about treating slaves right.
6 King’s desire to know about his people’s conditions. About welfare measures.
7 Tolerance for all religions.
8 Ashoka’s first visit to Bodh Gaya and the Bodhi tree (his first Dhamma Yatra).
9 Condemns popular ceremonies.
10 Disapproves of the individual’s desire for fame and glory and stresses on Dhamma.
11 Elaborates on Dhamma.
12 Tolerance for all religions and sects.
13 Mentions victory over Kalinga. Mentions Ashoka’s Dhamma victory over Greek Kings Antiochus of Syria
(Amtiyoko), Ptolemy of Egypt (Turamaye), Magas of Cyrene (Maka), Antigonus of Macedon (Amtikini), Alexander
of Epirus (Alikasudaro). Also mentions Pandyas, Cholas, etc.
14 Engraving of inscriptions installed in various parts of the country.
Minor rock edicts
15 minor rock edicts were found across the country and in Afghanistan also.
Ashoka’s name was used only in four places- Brahmagiri (Karnataka), Maski (Karnataka), Nittur (Karnataka) and Gujjara
(Madhya Pradesh) (here full title was used, ‘devanampiya piyadasi ashokaraja’)
Sites of pillar edicts Sites of major rock edicts
Delhi-topara Kandahar (aghanistan)
Delhi-meerut Mansehra (khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan)
Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh), Shahbazgarhi (khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan)
Kandahar (Afghanistan) Kalsi (uttrakhand)
Champaran/lauriya-araraj (Bihar) Dhauli (odisha)
Lauriya-nandagarh (bihar) Girnar (gujarat)
Rampurva, bihar Sopara (MH)
Jaugada (odisha)
Erraguadi/ Yerraguddi (andhra)
Sannati (karnataka)
Additional info.
In minor rock edict 3, ashoka claim that he has full reverence (respect) and faith in Buddha, dhamma and sangha
Delhi topara pillar, have all seven major pillar edicts present
Major rock edicts at mansehra and shahbazgarhi, records all the 14 major edicts of ashoka
Pre ashokan inscriptions
1) Bhogaz koi I = in N-E Syria 14th c
2) Piprahwa relicc casket I = in UP 3rd /2nd c
3) Barli pillar I= RAJ. (earliest jain inscription, in brahmi script and prakrit language) 5-4th c
4) Bhattiprolu relic casket I = ANDHRA 3-1st c
5) Sohgaurs copper plate I = UP (eariest known copper plate I) 3rd c
6) Mahasthangarh brahmi I = Bangladesh in 3rd c
Post mauryan inscriptions
1. Besnagar pillar Inscription = by heliodorus (greek ambassdor) in shunga period at vidisha, MP.
Prakrit and brahmi , Also known as garuda pillar
In inscription , he describe himself as bhagvata (worshipper of vasudeva krishna) that indicate he adopted hindu
Locally pillar called as khamba baba, and worshipped especially bu fisherman
2. Hathigumpha /elephant cave Inscription
In udayagiri and khandgiri cave at odisha . By king kharvela in Prakrit and brahmi and also related to jainism
3. Hathibada ghosundi Inscription
At RAJ, in sanskrit and brahmi and Related to vaishnavism
4. Naneghat Inscription
By satavahana dynasty and related to vaishanavism. At MH and represt world’s oldest numeration symbols
5. Ayodhya Inscription
By hindu kind dhana of deva dynasty. It refers to pushyamitra sunga as performer of 2 ashvamedha sacrifices
6. Junagarha/girnar rock I = it Contain the set of diff. I
Ashoka major rock edicts in prakrit and brahmi
Rudradaman’s rock I about repair of sudershan lake
Skandagupta rock I about repairing of reservoir that break in 5th c
7. Rabatak Inscription
At afghanistan, related to kanishka, in this kanishka called as king of kings and a son of god
In bactirian language and greek script. It also provide info. About extent of kushana dynasty
8. Kanaganahalli Inscription
In karnaraka, related to ashoka
This inscription contained the stone ortrait of ashoka and also mentioned about s ranyo ashoka
Gupta period Inscriptions
1) Mehruli inscription
In qutub minar, est. By changragupta 2 in honour of lord vishnu
This pillar tells about the conquest of vanga countries. It also record won over bahlikas in fight on indus river
2) Sanchi Inscription
At sanchi MP, by chandragupta 2. Records the donation to buddhist establishment
3) Tumen Inscription
In sanskrit mention about construction of temple during kumargupta 1
4) Bhitari pillar Inscription
By skandgupta, at UP
Mention about chronology of gupta rulers and also mention about conflict between skandgupta and pushyamitra
5) Kahaum pillar Inscription
During skandgupta at UP. It is Related to parshavnath and other jain tirthankars in brahmi script
(gaya and nalanda inscriptions also related to skandgupta)
6) Shankarpur copper plate inscription
By budhagupta at MP. Last known record about gupta empire
Post gupta inscriptions
7) Mandsaur pillar Inscription
By yashodharman at MP. In medieval time, guild can’t move to other place if do so, punishable
This inscription tells that guilds migrate without any punishment
It is sanskrit inscription, also mention about won of aulikara king, yashodharman over hun king, mihirakula
8) Eran boar Inscription
At MP in 6th c, by toramana (local king) of alchon huns. 1st evidence of sati if found in this
9) Harshvardhana inscriptions
Bankhera copper plate I, at UP = it has sign of harsha
Sonipat plate I at Haryana and madhuban plate I at UP
10) Halmidi Inscription
Oldest kannad language inscription in kadamba script and It present evidence of use of kannad as admi. Language
11) Doddahundi nishidhi and Inscription
In jainism, nishidhi means spot where ascetic/king/queen dies voluntarily or cremated or bone relics buried
It is related to samadhi of western ganga king Ereganaga nitimarga 1
12) Chanderi inscription
By alaudin khalji. it is Oldest islamic inscription at MP
In naskh script and persian language. It record the completion of mosque
