Ashokan Rock Edicts as Governance Tools

The Ashokan Rock Edicts were a revolutionary set of royal inscriptions that served as the primary instrument for Emperor Ashoka to communicate his unique philosophy of governance—Dhamma (Dharma or Righteousness)—directly to the people and his vast administration across the Mauryan Empire.

Edicts as Governance Tools

  • Royal Proclamation: The edicts were a public declaration of the emperor's new political and moral philosophy following the Kalinga War, replacing Bherighosha (sound of war) with Dhammaghosha (sound of righteousness) (Major Rock Edict IV).
  • Accessibility: Inscribed on rocks, boulders, and polished sandstone pillars, they were strategically placed along major trade routes and near population centres to ....
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Indian History