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Ashoka's 14 Rock Edicts

The Edicts of Ashoka set in stone are found throughout the Subcontinent ranging from as far as in Afghanistan and in south as Andhra, the edicts state his policies and accomplishments. Although predominantly written in Prakrit, two of them were written in Greek and one in Aramaic.Ashoka’s edicts refer to the Greeks,Kambhojas and Gandharas as people forming a frontier region of his empire. The major Rock Edicts are

Ist MRE
Declares prohibition of animal sacrifice also prohibits the holding of festivals; royal hunting was discontinued; only 2 peacocks and deer were killed in the kitchen of beloved of Gods.

IInd MRE
It mentions medical treatment of humans and animals; also mentions construction of roads,wells etc and also tree planting.

IIIrd MRE
It mentions about the Pradeshikas,Rajuks and Yuktas;declares the liberty towards Brahmanas and the Sramanas.

IVth MRE
It mentions that the Beri Ghosa has been replaced by dharma gosha.it also mentions that the Rajuks had the power to punish.

Vth MRE
Reference to the appointment of Dhamma mahatamas for the first time in the 14th year of his regime. It also mentions that Dhamma Mahatamas promoting the welfare of prisoners.

VIth MRE
Mantri parishad has been mentioned; officials like Pulisani and Pratividikar has also been mentioned; it mentions All Times I am available to the Mahamattas- Mahamattas could bring their report to the king at any time.

VIIth MRE
It mentions religious toleration amongst all the sects; it gives information that tension among the sects was expressed intensely; it gives information about self-centre and purity of mind.

VIIIth MRE
In his 10th Regnal year Ashoka went to Dharmyatras to Sambodhi in Bodhgaya.

IXth MRE
It mentions about the uselessness of the various ceremonies; it stresses on morality and moral code of conducts; it also mentions about the ceremony of Dhamma;it includes regards for slaves and servants,respect for teachers,restrained behaviour towards living beings and donation to Sarmanas and the Brahmanas.

Xth MRE
It mentions that the king desires no more fame or glory except in the field of Dhamma;it mentions about the supreme quality of Dhamma policy.

XIth MRE
It further explains the policy of Dhammas;it emphasizes on giving respect to the elders,abstain from killing animals and liberalism and charity towards friends,Sramanas and Brahmans and good behaviour towards slaves and servants.

XIIth MRE
Ithijika Mahamatta has been mentioned ;appeal for toleration among sects to honor the other sects;it mentions that the beloved of the Gods does not consider gifts or honor to be as important as the progress of the essential doctrines of all sects.

XIIIth MRE
It is the largest inscription from the edict .King considered the victory by Dhamma to be the foremost victory;mention the Dhamma victory on the Greek being named Antiochus;it also mentions the Dhamma victory over the following foreign brings-
Ptolemy II Philadelphus- King of Egypt ( 285-247 BC)
Alexander –King of Epirus (273-255 BC)
Antigonous Gonatus- King of Macedonia ( 276-239 BC)
Magas- King of Cyrene
It also mentions the Dhamma victory in south over the Cholas and Pandyas as far as Ceylon
IInd and 13th RE mentions that Pandyas,Cholas had Dhamma victory over Ceylon.


XIVth MRE
The purpose of the Rock Edicts has been mentioned.