Correct Answer - Option 3 : (A), (B) and (C) only
The Edicts of Ashoka are 33 inscriptions engraved on pillars, large stones, and cave walls by Ashoka the Great (r. 268-232 BCE), the third king of the Mauryan Empire.
One set, the so-called Major Rock Edicts, are consistent in their message that the people should adhere to the concept of Dhamma, defined as “right behaviour”, “good conduct” and “decency toward others”.
The edicts were inscribed throughout Ashoka’s realm which included the areas of modern-day Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan and most were written in Brahmi Script (though one, in Afghanistan, is also given in Aramaic and Greek). The edicts are comprised of:
- Minor Rock Edicts
- Minor Pillar Edicts
- Major Rock Edicts
- Major Pillar Edicts
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has geared up for protecting the Ashoka rock edict site near Erragudi on Gooty-Pathikonda road in Kurnool district.
- The inscriptions were one of the important treasures of Mauryan king Ashoka (269-231 BCE) falling under major and minor rock inscriptions. From the archaeological point of view, Yerraguidi site is the most important location in entire South India.
- The inscriptions in Brahmi script and Prakrit language are believed to have been etched during the tours of King Ashoka after his Kalinga campaign.
- The content in the inscription was inconsonance with other Ashokan group of inscriptions where the king was referred to as Piyadasi and the Beloved of Gods.
- The Yerraguidi inscriptions contained in 28 parts on nine rocks which advocated that one should be obedient to one’s parents, one should likewise be obedient to one’s elders, one should be kind to live beings, one should speak the truth, one should propagate the attributes of dharma, no-living being be slaughtered for sacrifices.
Sannati(Gulbarga District) four major rock edicts and more than 75 contemporary inscriptions, all scattered across a compact area of about ten square kilometres.
- Portions of Major Rock edicts 13 and 14 were found and separate rock edicts 1 & 2 were found in Sannati.
- The Sannati Edict puts back the question that the Mauryan Empire is a single state.
- Until sannati was found Mauryan empire was considered a single state with Kalinga accorded special status, but Sannati has the same content as Kalinga edict that puts two special states – which is not special.
- This puts the clarity on Ashokan administration. The country is centralised with a high degree of autonomy to states.
Both Erragudi (A.P.) and Sannati (Karnataka) sites contain fourteen proclamations.
Maski inscription was the first inscription to give both Priyadarshan and Ashoka, thus identifying Ashoka with Priyadarshini found in other edicts.
