The Deciphering of Ashoka’s Edicts

Our understanding of ancient Indian history owes much to the painstaking work of scholars like James Prinsep (1799–1840), a successor to Sir William Jones at the Asiatic Society. In 1837, while studying inscriptions on the stone railings of the Sanchi Stupa, Prinsep deciphered two characters that revealed the language as Pāli. This breakthrough led him to decode numerous other inscriptions scattered across the subcontinent—carved on boulders, cliffs, and most strikingly, towering stone pillars.

Speculation about these inscriptions had ranged from obscure Vedic mantras to an Indian version of the Ten Commandments. Prinsep, however, deduced they were royal edicts issued by a single ruler. Most began with the phrase Devanāmpiya Piyadassi (“Beloved of the Gods, the Gracious One”). Sri Lankan Buddhist chronicles mentioned a king named Piyadassi, but it wasn’t until the early 20th century that this figure was conclusively identified as Ashoka, the Mauryan emperor.

Ashoka’s Transformation from Conqueror to Peacemaker

H.G. Wells famously called Ashoka “the greatest of all monarchs in history” for renouncing war and embracing Buddhism. Historian A.L. Basham noted that Ashoka stands apart from other ancient Indian kings because his life can be reconstructed with relative certainty. Basham described him as “somewhat naive, often self-righteous and pompous, yet tireless, strong-willed, and imperious.”

When Ashoka ascended the throne in 268 BCE, he inherited an empire of 50 million people, a mosaic of diverse cultures, religions, and ethnicities. The regions around Magadha and the western Ganges plains were deeply influenced by Aryan traditions, while the northwest had ties to Hellenistic Afghanistan, and the south retained its pre-Aryan Dravidian identity.

Ashoka’s early reign was marked by violence. A rock edict at Girnar records that his conquest of Kalinga resulted in 100,000 deaths, with countless more perishing from famine and disease. This carnage reportedly filled Ashoka with remorse, prompting his conversion to Buddhism and a radical shift in governance.

The Pillars of Dharma: Ashoka’s Administrative Vision

To manage his vast empire, Ashoka instituted sweeping reforms:

– Infrastructure: He built tree-lined roads with wells and rest houses at regular intervals.
– Healthcare: Herbal gardens were planted to promote public health.
– Governance: Officials called dhamma-mahāmāttas were appointed to enforce ethical administration.

His edicts—33 of which survive—were inscribed on rocks and pillars across the empire. Most were written in Prākrit, a vernacular language, though some in the northwest used Greek or Aramaic, reflecting Persia’s influence. The pillars themselves are marvels of engineering, standing 12–15 meters tall and weighing up to 50 tons. Carved from Chunar sandstone, they were transported hundreds of kilometers and adorned with lifelike lions and bulls, likely crafted by Persian artisans.

Unlike the boastful monuments of Persian kings, Ashoka’s pillars promoted dhamma (moral law), emphasizing:
– Tolerance: Respect for all faiths and ideologies.
– Nonviolence (Ahimsa): Protection of animals, including parrots, bats, and dairy cows.
– Social Ethics: Filial piety, truthfulness, and generosity to monks.

The Lion Capital and India’s Modern Identity

The most iconic pillar, discovered at Sarnath, features four lions standing atop a dharmachakra (wheel of law). This image became India’s national emblem after independence, adorning currency, stamps, and government seals. The wheel also appears on the Indian flag, symbolizing Ashoka’s enduring legacy.

Buddhism’s Global Expansion

Ashoka transformed Buddhism from a regional sect into a world religion:
– Relic Distribution: He redistributed the Buddha’s relics from eight stupas across India, many reaching Taxila via Mauryan trade routes.
– Monastic Caves: Meditation caves were dug for Buddhist and Jain monks, some immortalized in E.M. Forster’s A Passage to India.
– Third Buddhist Council: Around 250 BCE, he convened scholars in Pataliputra to standardize Buddhist scriptures in Pāli.

By the 2nd century BCE, Buddhist communities thrived as far as Alexandria, where Greek officials grumbled about “barbarians” influencing philosophy. Scholars note parallels between Buddhist Jataka tales and Christian parables, such as miracles of walking on water or feeding multitudes with scant food.

The Fragility of Empire

Ashoka’s vision of peace proved fleeting. After his death in 232 BCE, succession disputes fractured the Mauryan Empire. His nonviolent policies may have weakened military readiness, while Brahmin resistance and economic strain—evidenced by silver coin debasement—hastened decline. As Basham observed, India would not reunite politically for two millennia, though cultural unity endured.

Why Ashoka Matters Today

Ashoka’s legacy resonates in:
– Global Ethics: His emphasis on tolerance and nonviolence predates modern human rights frameworks.
– Environmental Stewardship: Early wildlife protection laws foreshadowed contemporary conservation.
– Soft Power: His use of moral persuasion over coercion remains a model for diplomatic engagement.

Though his empire crumbled, Ashoka’s pillars still stand—literal and metaphorical testaments to a ruler who dared to believe conquest could be won through compassion.