IASNOVA Interactive Atlas · History Through Maps
ASHOKAN EDICTS & PILLAR LOCATIONS
Exact site coordinates · Correct pillar locations · Complete and variant edict recensions
Markers use exact modern coordinates. Hollow or dashed symbols indicate uninscribed, attributed or approximate original-location records. Routes are schematic.
Girnar Major Rock Edicts
Complete fourteen-text series
Major Rock EdictPresent locationJunagadh, Gujarat
Inscription corpusMajor Rock Edicts I–XIV
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentNatural rock below Girnar hill
Principal messageThe standard fourteen-edict dhamma corpus, later joined on the same rock by inscriptions of Rudradaman and Skandagupta.
Historical importanceOne of the five principal sites preserving the complete fourteen Major Rock Edicts.
Kalsi Major Rock Edicts
Complete fourteen-text series
Major Rock EdictPresent locationKalsi, Dehradun district, Uttarakhand
Inscription corpusMajor Rock Edicts I–XIV
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentLarge quartz rock with an elephant outline
Principal messageThe full corpus includes Rock Edict XIII on the Kalinga war and Ashoka’s remorse.
Historical importanceThe only complete fourteen-edict rock recension in the Himalayan foothill region of northern India.
Shahbazgarhi Major Rock Edicts
Complete fourteen-text series
Major Rock EdictPresent locationShahbazgarhi, Mardan district, Pakistan
Inscription corpusMajor Rock Edicts I–XIV
Language and scriptPrakrit in Kharosthi, written right-to-left
Surface / monumentTwo large boulders beside an ancient route
Principal messageThe complete fourteen-edict series adapts Ashoka’s message to the northwestern scribal tradition.
Historical importanceA key Gandharan site showing Kharosthi and the reach of Mauryan communication routes.
Mansehra Major Rock Edicts
Complete fourteen-text series
Major Rock EdictPresent locationMansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Inscription corpusMajor Rock Edicts I–XIV
Language and scriptPrakrit in Kharosthi, written right-to-left
Surface / monumentThree inscribed boulders on a rocky outcrop
Principal messageThe complete fourteen-edict series presents Ashoka’s dhamma beside the route toward Kashmir, Gilgit and Central Asia.
Historical importanceOne of the best documented northwestern complete recensions.
Erragudi / Yerragudi Edicts
Complete major series plus minor edict
Major Rock EdictPresent locationNear Gooty, Andhra Pradesh
Inscription corpusMajor Rock Edicts I–XIV and a Minor Rock Edict tradition
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentRock surfaces on a ridge
Principal messageThe site combines the full major corpus with a southern minor-edict message.
Historical importanceThe southernmost principal location preserving the complete fourteen Major Rock Edicts.
Dhauli Major and Separate Kalinga Edicts
Kalinga recension
Major Rock EdictPresent locationDhauli, near Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Inscription corpusMajor Rock Edicts I–X and XIV; Separate Kalinga Edicts I–II replace the missing central sequence
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentRock face with a sculpted elephant above the inscriptions
Principal messageThe Separate Kalinga Edicts instruct officers to govern humanely and include the famous paternal formulation that all people are Ashoka’s children.
Historical importanceDirect evidence for post-conquest administration in Kalinga.
Jaugada Major and Separate Kalinga Edicts
Kalinga recension
Major Rock EdictPresent locationJaugada, Ganjam district, Odisha
Inscription corpusMajor Rock Edicts I–X and XIV; Separate Kalinga Edicts I–II
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentPrepared rock surface near the ancient fortified settlement
Principal messageThe Jaugada version parallels Dhauli and addresses provincial administration in conquered Kalinga.
Historical importanceConfirms that the special Kalinga orders were issued at more than one administrative centre.
Sopara Major Rock Edict Fragments
Fragmentary major-rock site
Major Rock EdictPresent locationNala Sopara, Maharashtra
Inscription corpusFragments of Major Rock Edicts VIII and IX survive
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentDetached fragments found in the ancient port landscape
Principal messageThe surviving pieces concern dhamma journeys and ritual or ceremonial conduct.
Historical importanceShows that the major-rock corpus once reached the western maritime centre of Sopara.
Sannati Edict Slabs
Fragmentary and special-edict site
Major Rock EdictPresent locationSannati, Kalaburagi district, Karnataka
Inscription corpusFragments of Major Rock Edicts XIII–XIV and Separate Kalinga Edicts I–II
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentPrepared stone slabs reused in a temple context
Principal messageThe finds combine fragments of the later major-rock corpus with special administrative orders also known from Kalinga.
Historical importanceExpanded understanding of Mauryan administration and Ashokan Buddhism in the Deccan.
Kandahar Greek Edicts XII–XIII
Old Kandahar, Afghanistan
Greek frontier inscriptionScript and languageGreek; Greek
Edict or recordGreek adaptation of parts of Major Rock Edicts XII and XIII
Principal messageReligious concord and the moral consequences of the Kalinga war, expressed for a Greek-reading audience.
Inscribed surfaceInscribed stone block found in the ancient city.
Historical importanceDemonstrates deliberate adaptation of Ashokan ideas for a Hellenistic intellectual environment.
Kandahar Bilingual Edict
Old Kandahar, Afghanistan
Greek–Aramaic frontier inscriptionScript and languageGreek and Aramaic
Edict or recordIndependent bilingual proclamation, usually dated around the tenth regnal year
Principal messageRestraint in killing, obedience to parents and elders, and growth of piety or dhamma.
Inscribed surfaceRock slab from Old Kandahar.
Historical importanceOne of the clearest witnesses to the Mauryan Empire’s multilingual communication policy.
Laghman / Pul-i-Darunta Aramaic Inscriptions
Laghman–Jalalabad region, Afghanistan
Aramaic frontier inscriptionScript and languageAramaic
Edict or recordShort Aramaic Ashokan inscriptions associated with the eastern Afghan route zone
Principal messageAdministrative and moral vocabulary reflecting Ashokan authority on the Indo-Iranian frontier.
Historical importanceExtends the Ashokan epigraphic landscape beyond the subcontinent proper.
Sasaram Minor Rock Edict
Minor Rock Edict
Minor Rock EdictPresent locationSasaram, Bihar
Inscription corpusMinor Rock Edict I
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentNatural rock or prepared rock face
Principal messageA short personal proclamation on Ashoka’s increasing commitment and the value of energetic effort.
Historical importanceA northern example of the widely copied early personal edict.
Rupnath Minor Rock Edict
Minor Rock Edict
Minor Rock EdictPresent locationRupnath, Madhya Pradesh
Inscription corpusMinor Rock Edict I
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentNatural rock or prepared rock face
Principal messageEncourages sustained effort in dhamma and addresses officers and communities.
Historical importanceImportant central-Indian copy situated on a route through the Vindhyan region.
Bairat / Bhabru Edict Site
Minor Rock Edict
Minor Rock EdictPresent locationBairat, Rajasthan
Inscription corpusBairat-Bhabru Buddhist edict tradition
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentNatural rock or prepared rock face
Principal messageExpresses Ashoka’s reverence for the Buddha, dhamma and sangha and recommends specific teachings.
Historical importanceOne of the most explicitly Buddhist Ashokan proclamations.
Brahmagiri Minor Rock Edicts
Minor Rock Edict
Minor Rock EdictPresent locationBrahmagiri, Karnataka
Inscription corpusMinor Rock Edicts I–II
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentNatural rock or prepared rock face
Principal messageUrges ethical conduct, obedience, respect and vigorous practice.
Historical importanceA principal southern minor-edict centre, traditionally associated with the officer Chapada.
Siddapura Minor Rock Edicts
Minor Rock Edict
Minor Rock EdictPresent locationSiddapura, Karnataka
Inscription corpusMinor Rock Edicts I–II
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentNatural rock or prepared rock face
Principal messageA closely related southern version of the personal and administrative dhamma messages.
Historical importancePart of the tightly grouped Chitradurga inscription landscape.
Jatinga-Rameshwara Minor Rock Edicts
Minor Rock Edict
Minor Rock EdictPresent locationJatinga-Rameshwara, Karnataka
Inscription corpusMinor Rock Edicts I–II
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentNatural rock or prepared rock face
Principal messageRepeats the southern minor-edict corpus in a route-side rocky landscape.
Historical importanceCompletes the Brahmagiri–Siddapura–Jatinga cluster.
Maski Minor Rock Edict
Minor Rock Edict
Minor Rock EdictPresent locationMaski, Karnataka
Inscription corpusMinor Rock Edict I
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentNatural rock or prepared rock face
Principal messageContains the personal name “Asoka” with the title Devanampiya, helping identify Priyadarsi with Ashoka.
Historical importanceA decisive inscription for the modern historical identification of the emperor.
Gavimath Minor Rock Edict
Minor Rock Edict
Minor Rock EdictPresent locationGavimath, Koppal, Karnataka
Inscription corpusMinor Rock Edict I
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentNatural rock or prepared rock face
Principal messageA southern copy emphasising effort and moral progress.
Historical importanceDemonstrates dense Mauryan communication in the Koppal region.
Paligunda / Palkigundu Minor Rock Edict
Minor Rock Edict
Minor Rock EdictPresent locationPaligunda, Koppal, Karnataka
Inscription corpusMinor Rock Edict I
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentNatural rock or prepared rock face
Principal messageA nearby version of the personal dhamma proclamation.
Historical importanceTogether with Gavimath, shows multiple copies placed within a small regional network.
Rajula-Mandagiri Minor Rock Edict
Minor Rock Edict
Minor Rock EdictPresent locationRajula-Mandagiri, Andhra Pradesh
Inscription corpusMinor Rock Edict I
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentNatural rock or prepared rock face
Principal messageA southern copy engraved on a rock surface in the Deccan route zone.
Historical importanceExtends the minor-edict distribution east of the Koppal cluster.
Gujarra Minor Rock Edict
Minor Rock Edict
Minor Rock EdictPresent locationGujarra, Datia district, Madhya Pradesh
Inscription corpusMinor Rock Edict I
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentNatural rock or prepared rock face
Principal messageUses the personal name Ashoka together with royal titles.
Historical importanceOne of the inscriptions that independently confirms the emperor’s personal name.
Bahapur / Srinivaspuri Minor Rock Edict
Minor Rock Edict
Minor Rock EdictPresent locationBahapur, New Delhi
Inscription corpusMinor Rock Edict I
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentNatural rock or prepared rock face
Principal messageA short rock inscription placed on the Delhi quartzite ridge.
Historical importanceShows an Ashokan message at the strategic Delhi route junction.
Panguraria Minor Rock Edict
Minor Rock Edict
Minor Rock EdictPresent locationPanguraria, Madhya Pradesh
Inscription corpusMinor Rock Edict I and associated records
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentNatural rock or prepared rock face
Principal messageA personal proclamation in a central Indian monastic and route landscape.
Historical importanceImportant for the spread of Ashokan communication through the Narmada–Vindhyan zone.
Nittur Minor Rock Edicts
Minor Rock Edict
Minor Rock EdictPresent locationNittur, Karnataka
Inscription corpusMinor Rock Edicts I–II
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentNatural rock or prepared rock face
Principal messageA southern recension of the two minor rock proclamations.
Historical importanceOne of the paired Ballari-region sites close to Udegolam.
Udegolam Minor Rock Edicts
Minor Rock Edict
Minor Rock EdictPresent locationUdegolam, Karnataka
Inscription corpusMinor Rock Edicts I–II
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentNatural rock or prepared rock face
Principal messageClosely parallels Nittur and other southern versions.
Historical importanceShows repeated inscription of the same message within a compact administrative zone.
Ratanpurwa Minor Rock Edict
Minor Rock Edict
Minor Rock EdictPresent locationRatanpurwa, Uttar Pradesh
Inscription corpusMinor Rock Edict I
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentNatural rock or prepared rock face
Principal messageA comparatively recently identified northern copy of the personal proclamation.
Historical importanceExpands the known distribution in the eastern Ganga–Vindhyan corridor.
Ahraura Minor Rock Edict
Minor Rock Edict
Minor Rock EdictPresent locationAhraura, Mirzapur district, Uttar Pradesh
Inscription corpusMinor Rock Edict I
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentNatural rock or prepared rock face
Principal messageA route-side version of the early dhamma message.
Historical importanceConnects the middle Ganga region with routes toward central India.
Delhi–Topra Pillar
Major Pillar Edicts at present location
Major Pillar EdictPresent locationFiroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
Inscription corpusMajor Pillar Edicts I–VII
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentPolished sandstone pillar moved from Topra Kalan in 1356
Principal messageThe only pillar preserving Major Pillar Edict VII in addition to I–VI.
Historical importanceThe most complete major-pillar corpus.
Delhi–Meerut Pillar
Major Pillar Edicts at present location
Major Pillar EdictPresent locationNorthern Ridge, Delhi
Inscription corpusMajor Pillar Edicts I–VI, partly damaged
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentPolished sandstone pillar moved from Meerut by Firuz Shah Tughluq
Principal messageThe pillar preserves the standard major-pillar dhamma orders, though damaged by an explosion in the early modern period.
Historical importanceA relocated pillar whose current and original geographies must be distinguished.
Prayagraj / Allahabad–Kosam Pillar
Major and minor pillar inscriptions at present location
Major Pillar EdictPresent locationInside Prayagraj Fort, Uttar Pradesh
Inscription corpusMajor Pillar Edicts I–VI, Queen’s Edict and Schism/Kaushambi Edict; later Samudragupta and Jahangir inscriptions
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi; later Sanskrit and Persian inscriptions
Surface / monumentPolished sandstone pillar in the fort
Principal messageThe Ashokan texts share the monument with the Prayag Prashasti of Samudragupta and a Jahangir inscription.
Historical importanceA uniquely layered epigraphic monument spanning Mauryan, Gupta and Mughal history.
Lauriya-Araraj Pillar
Major Pillar Edicts
Major Pillar EdictPresent locationAreraj, East Champaran, Bihar
Inscription corpusMajor Pillar Edicts I–VI
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentStanding polished sandstone pillar
Principal messageThe six edicts address dhamma, justice, welfare, officials and ethical administration.
Historical importanceA major pillar-edict site in the north Bihar heartland.
Lauriya-Nandangarh Pillar
Major Pillar Edicts
Major Pillar EdictPresent locationLauriya Nandangarh, West Champaran, Bihar
Inscription corpusMajor Pillar Edicts I–VI
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentStanding polished sandstone pillar with lion capital
Principal messageThe standard six major pillar edicts survive on the shaft.
Historical importanceOne of the best-preserved standing Ashokan pillars in its original regional setting.
Rampurva Pillars
Major Pillar Edicts and two pillar remains
Major Pillar EdictPresent locationRampurva, West Champaran, Bihar
Inscription corpusMajor Pillar Edicts I–VI on one of the pillar shafts
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentTwo fallen pillar shafts associated with lion and bull capitals
Principal messageThe site lies close to the Himalayan foothill route toward Nepal.
Historical importanceImportant for both the major-pillar corpus and Mauryan animal capitals.
Sanchi Schism Edict Pillar
Minor Pillar / Schism Edict
Minor / commemorative pillarPresent locationSanchi, Madhya Pradesh
Inscription corpusSangha Schism Edict
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentPillar fragment associated with the stupa complex
Principal messageOrders against creating division in the Buddhist sangha.
Historical importanceEvidence of royal concern for monastic discipline.
Sarnath Schism Edict Pillar
Minor Pillar / Schism Edict
Minor / commemorative pillarPresent locationSarnath, Uttar Pradesh
Inscription corpusSangha Schism Edict
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentPillar whose lion capital is preserved in the site museum
Principal messageWarns monks and nuns against schism and specifies disciplinary action.
Historical importanceLinks Ashokan patronage with the site of the Buddha’s first sermon.
Lumbini / Rummindei Pillar Inscription
Commemorative Pillar Inscription
Minor / commemorative pillarPresent locationLumbini, Nepal
Inscription corpusRummindei inscription
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentStanding pillar beside the Maya Devi Temple
Principal messageRecords Ashoka’s visit to the Buddha’s birthplace and a reduction of the village tax.
Historical importanceProvides epigraphic confirmation of Lumbini as the Buddha’s birthplace.
Nigali Sagar / Niglihawa Pillar Inscription
Commemorative Pillar Inscription
Minor / commemorative pillarPresent locationNigali Sagar, Nepal
Inscription corpusKanakamuni Buddha inscription
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentBroken pillar near the ancient stupa landscape
Principal messageRecords Ashoka’s enlargement of the stupa of the former Buddha Kanakamuni and his later visit.
Historical importanceKey evidence for Ashoka’s Buddhist pilgrimage and commemoration programme.
Barabar Cave Inscriptions
Cave dedication inscriptions
Cave or attributed pillarPresent locationBarabar Hills, Bihar
Inscription corpusAshokan cave dedications to the Ajivikas
Language and scriptPrakrit in Brahmi
Surface / monumentHighly polished interiors of Sudama, Visvakarma and Karna Chaupar caves
Principal messageRecords royal donation of caves to the Ajivika ascetics.
Historical importanceThe earliest surviving imperial rock-cut architecture in India.
Gotihawa Pillar
Uninscribed attributed Ashokan pillar
Cave or attributed pillarPresent locationGotihawa, Nepal
Inscription corpusNo surviving Ashokan edict
Language and scriptUninscribed
Surface / monumentBroken pillar at a Buddhist pilgrimage site
Principal messageTraditionally linked with Ashoka’s commemoration of the Krakuchchhanda Buddha.
Historical importanceUseful for the wider pilgrimage-pillar programme but not an edict location.
Kolhua–Vaishali Pillar
Uninscribed Ashokan pillar
Cave or attributed pillarPresent locationKolhua, Vaishali, Bihar
Inscription corpusNo standard Ashokan edict
Language and scriptUninscribed; later marks occur
Surface / monumentStanding pillar with a single lion capital
Principal messageAssociated with the Buddhist landscape of Vaishali and Ashoka’s commemorative building programme.
Historical importanceAn important pillar location, but not an edict site.
Sankissa Pillar Remains
Pillar remains and elephant capital
Cave or attributed pillarPresent locationSankissa, Uttar Pradesh
Inscription corpusNo surviving Ashokan edict
Language and scriptUninscribed surviving capital/remains
Surface / monumentElephant capital and pillar remains
Principal messageTraditionally associated with Ashoka’s commemoration of the Buddha’s descent at Sankissa.
Historical importanceImportant monument location but not an edict-bearing pillar.
Topra Kalan — original location of Delhi–Topra pillar
Original pillar location
Original / proposed relocation pointPresent locationTopra Kalan, Yamunanagar district, Haryana
Inscription corpusOriginal erection site of the pillar now at Firoz Shah Kotla
Language and script—
Surface / monumentOriginal monument site; pillar removed in 1356
Principal messageThe pillar was transported to Delhi under Firuz Shah Tughluq.
Historical importanceDistinguishes original Mauryan geography from current monument geography.
Meerut — original area of Delhi–Meerut pillar
Approximate original pillar area
Original / proposed relocation pointPresent locationMeerut, Uttar Pradesh
Inscription corpusOriginal erection area of the pillar now on Delhi’s Northern Ridge
Language and script—
Surface / monumentOriginal site not securely pinpointed within the modern city
Principal messageFiruz Shah Tughluq moved the pillar from Meerut to Delhi.
Historical importancePrevents the current Delhi monument from being mistaken for an originally Delhi pillar.
Kaushambi — traditional original location of Prayagraj pillar
Traditional/proposed original pillar location
Original / proposed relocation pointPresent locationAncient Kaushambi near Kosam, Uttar Pradesh
Inscription corpusOriginal setting traditionally assigned to the pillar now in Prayagraj Fort
Language and script—
Surface / monumentAncient city archaeological landscape
Principal messageThe pillar is widely called the Allahabad–Kosam or Prayagraj–Kaushambi pillar.
Historical importanceSeparates the current fort location from the pillar’s accepted ancient association.
What are the Ashokan edicts?
The Ashokan edicts are public proclamations issued by Emperor Ashoka in the third century BCE and engraved on natural rocks, polished stone pillars and cave walls across the Mauryan realm. They communicate dhamma, administrative instructions, welfare measures, religious concord and the ruler’s reflections on power and violence.
Ashoka’s inscriptional network extended from southern Afghanistan and Gandhara to Gujarat, Kalinga, Karnataka, Bihar and the Nepal Terai. The messages were not identical everywhere. Court formulations were translated, shortened or adapted to regional languages, scripts and political circumstances.
Map accuracy: secure sites use documented coordinates. Laghman is shown as an approximate regional marker because several Aramaic inscriptions are associated with the wider area. Gotihawa, Vaishali and Sankissa are pillar locations without surviving standard Ashokan edicts. The Topra, Meerut and Kaushambi pillars are shown at both original and present locations.
Scripts, languages and audiences
Brahmi and Prakrit
Most inscriptions use regional forms of Prakrit written in Brahmi. Their spelling and wording vary, revealing local scribes and dialects.
Kharosthi in Gandhara
Shahbazgarhi and Mansehra use Prakrit in right-to-left Kharosthi, reflecting the northwestern scribal tradition shaped by Aramaic.
Greek and Aramaic
Kandahar and Laghman show that Ashoka’s government addressed frontier populations in languages inherited from Hellenistic and Achaemenid administration.
Major Rock Edicts
The fourteen Major Rock Edicts discuss animal protection, medical facilities, wells and trees, administrative tours, respect for parents and teachers, treatment of servants, religious restraint, dhamma officers and conquest by dhamma. Major Rock Edict XIII is the best-known because it reflects on the suffering caused by the conquest of Kalinga.
Dhauli and Jaugada are regionally adapted. They omit several standard edicts and carry Separate Kalinga Edicts directing officers to administer justice humanely and win the confidence of conquered and frontier populations.
Minor Rock Edicts
The Minor Rock Edicts are shorter and more personal. Ashoka identifies himself as a lay follower, describes increasing religious effort and insists that moral progress is possible for people of every social rank. The Deccan contains the densest cluster. Maski and Gujarra are especially important because their versions use the personal name Ashoka.
Pillar Edicts and monumental communication
The polished sandstone pillars represent a later phase of imperial communication. Major Pillar Edicts focus on justice, Dhamma-Mahamatras, humane administration, animal protection and public welfare. Minor Pillar records include commands concerning Buddhist Sangha unity and commemorations of pilgrimage.
The Lumbini inscription records Ashoka’s visit to the Buddha’s birthplace and a tax concession. Nigali Sagar records enlargement of the stupa of Kanakamuni Buddha. The Barabar cave inscriptions dedicate highly polished caves to the Ajivikas, demonstrating religious patronage beyond Buddhism.
Relocated pillars
Not every pillar stands where Ashoka erected it. Firoz Shah Tughlaq transported pillars from Topra and Meerut to Delhi in the fourteenth century. The pillar now at Prayagraj is traditionally associated with Kaushambi. The map therefore shows original locations and current monuments separately and links them through route lines.
All mapped locations at a glance
| Location | Category | Script | Principal record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kandahar Bilingual Edict | Northwestern multilingual inscription | Greek and Aramaic | Independent bilingual proclamation, usually dated around the tenth regnal year |
| Kandahar Greek Edicts XII–XIII | Northwestern multilingual inscription | Greek | Greek adaptation of parts of Major Rock Edicts XII and XIII |
| Laghman / Pul-i-Darunta Aramaic Inscriptions | Northwestern multilingual inscription | Aramaic | Short Aramaic Ashokan inscriptions associated with the eastern Afghan route zone |
| Shahbazgarhi Major Rock Edicts | Major Rock Edict | Kharosthi | Full series of fourteen Major Rock Edicts |
| Mansehra Major Rock Edicts | Major Rock Edict | Kharosthi | Fourteen Major Rock Edicts on three boulders |
| Kalsi Major Rock Edicts | Major Rock Edict | Brahmi | Fourteen Major Rock Edicts, including Edict XIII |
| Girnar Major Rock Edicts | Major Rock Edict | Brahmi | Fourteen Major Rock Edicts; later inscriptions of Rudradaman and Skandagupta share the rock |
| Sopara Major Rock Edict Fragments | Major Rock Edict | Brahmi | Fragments of Major Rock Edicts VIII and IX |
| Dhauli Major and Separate Kalinga Edicts | Major Rock Edict | Brahmi | Major Rock Edicts I–X and XIV; Separate Kalinga Edicts I–II; elephant relief |
| Jaugada Major and Separate Kalinga Edicts | Major Rock Edict | Brahmi | Major Rock Edicts I–X and XIV; Separate Kalinga Edicts I–II |
| Erragudi / Yerragudi Major Rock Edicts | Major Rock Edict | Brahmi | Major Rock Edicts and Minor Rock Edicts distributed across rock surfaces |
| Sannati Edict Fragments | Major Rock Edict | Brahmi | Fragments of Major Rock Edicts XII and XIV and Separate Edicts, recovered from the Kanaganahalli–Sannati area |
| Bairat / Bhabru Edict | Minor Rock Edict | Brahmi | Bhabru or Bairat Edict addressed to the Buddhist Sangha |
| Bahapur Minor Rock Edict | Minor Rock Edict | Brahmi | Minor Rock Edict I |
| Gujarra Minor Rock Edict | Minor Rock Edict | Brahmi | Minor Rock Edict I; contains the personal name Ashoka |
| Panguraria Minor Rock Edicts | Minor Rock Edict | Brahmi | Minor Rock Edict and associated short inscriptional records |
| Rupnath Minor Rock Edict | Minor Rock Edict | Brahmi | Minor Rock Edict I |
| Sasaram Minor Rock Edict | Minor Rock Edict | Brahmi | Minor Rock Edict I |
| Ratanpurwa Minor Rock Edict | Minor Rock Edict | Brahmi | Minor Rock Edict |
| Ahraura Minor Rock Edict | Minor Rock Edict | Brahmi | Minor Rock Edict I |
| Maski Minor Rock Edict | Minor Rock Edict | Brahmi | Minor Rock Edict I; explicitly uses the name Asoka |
| Brahmagiri Minor Rock Edicts | Minor Rock Edict | Brahmi | Minor Rock Edicts I and II, including instructions transmitted through officials |
| Siddapura Minor Rock Edict | Minor Rock Edict | Brahmi | Minor Rock Edicts closely related to the Brahmagiri version |
| Jatinga-Rameshwara Minor Rock Edict | Minor Rock Edict | Brahmi | Minor Rock Edict version related to Brahmagiri and Siddapura |
| Gavimath Minor Rock Edict | Minor Rock Edict | Brahmi | Minor Rock Edict |
| Palkigundu Minor Rock Edict | Minor Rock Edict | Brahmi | Minor Rock Edict |
| Rajula-Mandagiri Minor Rock Edicts | Minor Rock Edict | Brahmi | Minor Rock Edicts on horizontal rock surfaces |
| Nittur Minor Rock Edicts | Minor Rock Edict | Brahmi | Minor Rock Edicts, including versions naming Ashoka in the regional corpus |
| Udegolam Minor Rock Edicts | Minor Rock Edict | Brahmi | Minor Rock Edicts |
| Topra: Original Site of the Delhi-Topra Pillar | Relocated pillar: original or present location | Brahmi | Original location of the pillar bearing Major Pillar Edicts I–VII |
| Delhi-Topra Pillar at Firoz Shah Kotla | Major Pillar Edict | Brahmi | Major Pillar Edicts I–VII; Pillar Edict VII is uniquely preserved here |
| Meerut: Original Site of the Delhi-Meerut Pillar | Relocated pillar: original or present location | Brahmi | Original location of a pillar bearing Major Pillar Edicts |
| Delhi-Meerut Pillar at the Northern Ridge | Major Pillar Edict | Brahmi | Major Pillar Edicts |
| Kaushambi: Original Site of the Prayagraj Pillar | Relocated pillar: original or present location | Brahmi | Original site associated with the pillar now at Prayagraj; includes Schism-related and administrative records in its inscriptional history |
| Prayagraj / Allahabad–Kosam Pillar | Major Pillar Edict | Brahmi | Major Pillar Edicts; Queen’s Edict; Schism-related record; later Samudragupta and Jahangir inscriptions |
| Lauriya-Araraj Pillar | Major Pillar Edict | Brahmi | Six Major Pillar Edicts |
| Lauriya-Nandangarh Pillar | Major Pillar Edict | Brahmi | Six Major Pillar Edicts |
| Rampurva Pillars | Major Pillar Edict | Brahmi | Major Pillar Edicts on one of the pillars; two pillars and famous bull and lion capitals are associated with the site |
| Sanchi Schism Edict Pillar | Minor or commemorative pillar inscription | Brahmi | Minor Pillar or Schism Edict |
| Sarnath Schism Edict Pillar | Minor or commemorative pillar inscription | Brahmi | Schism Edict; pillar originally carried the lion capital now India’s State Emblem |
| Lumbini / Rummindei Pillar Inscription | Minor or commemorative pillar inscription | Brahmi | Commemorative pillar inscription, regnal year 20 |
| Nigali Sagar / Niglihawa Pillar | Minor or commemorative pillar inscription | Brahmi | Commemorative pillar inscription, referring to regnal years 14 and 20 |
| Barabar Cave Inscriptions | Cave dedication | Brahmi | Dedicatory inscriptions in caves including Sudama, Visvakarma and Karna Chaupar |
| Gotihawa Ashokan Pillar | Ashokan pillar without surviving edict | No surviving Ashokan inscription | Uninscribed pillar traditionally associated with Ashoka’s pilgrimage to the birthplace of Krakuchhanda Buddha |
| Kolhua–Vaishali Ashokan Pillar | Ashokan pillar without surviving edict | No Ashokan edict; later marks occur | Uninscribed lion-capital pillar traditionally attributed to Ashoka |
| Sankissa Ashokan Pillar Site | Ashokan pillar without surviving edict | No surviving Ashokan edict | Pillar and elephant-capital tradition associated with Ashoka |
Complete reference list
Kandahar Bilingual Edict
Arachosia, Afghanistan
- Script / language
- Greek and Aramaic; Greek and Aramaic
- Edict / record
- Independent bilingual proclamation, usually dated around the tenth regnal year
- Message
- Summarises Ashoka’s moral programme: restraint in killing, obedience to parents and elders, and growth of piety or dhamma.
- Surface
- Rock slab from Old Kandahar
- Condition
- Discovered in 1957; formerly associated with the Kabul Museum collection.
- Context
- Shows that Ashoka addressed a culturally mixed frontier population in the administrative languages of the Hellenistic and Achaemenid worlds.
One of the clearest witnesses to the Mauryan Empire’s multilingual communication policy.
Kandahar Greek Edicts XII–XIII
Old Kandahar, Afghanistan
- Script / language
- Greek; Greek
- Edict / record
- Greek adaptation of parts of Major Rock Edicts XII and XIII
- Message
- Religious concord and the moral consequences of the Kalinga war, expressed for a Greek-reading audience.
- Surface
- Inscribed stone block found in the ancient city
- Condition
- Discovered in 1963; fragmentary.
- Context
- The translation is not mechanically literal and reveals deliberate adaptation of Ashokan ideas to a Hellenistic intellectual environment.
Demonstrates the geographic and linguistic breadth of Ashoka’s inscriptional programme.
Laghman / Pul-i-Darunta Aramaic Inscriptions
Laghman–Jalalabad region, Afghanistan
- Script / language
- Aramaic; Aramaic
- Edict / record
- Short Aramaic Ashokan inscriptions associated with the eastern Afghan route zone
- Message
- Administrative and moral vocabulary reflecting Ashokan authority on the Indo-Iranian frontier.
- Surface
- Rock inscriptions; exact find contexts vary among the Laghman records
- Condition
- Several Aramaic records are known from the wider Laghman area; site-level localisation is approximate.
- Context
- Placed near routes connecting the Kabul valley, Gandhara and the Indian plains.
Extends the known Ashokan epigraphic landscape beyond the subcontinent proper.
Shahbazgarhi Major Rock Edicts
Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
- Script / language
- Kharosthi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Full series of fourteen Major Rock Edicts
- Message
- Dhamma, welfare, religious restraint, humane administration and the remorse following the Kalinga war in Edict XIII.
- Surface
- Two large boulders beside an ancient route
- Condition
- In situ and protected; written right-to-left.
- Context
- The northwestern version reflects the survival of Achaemenid-derived Kharosthi literacy in Gandhara.
Together with Mansehra, it preserves one of the fullest northwestern recensions of the Major Rock Edicts.
Mansehra Major Rock Edicts
Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
- Script / language
- Kharosthi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Fourteen Major Rock Edicts on three boulders
- Message
- Ashoka’s dhamma policy, welfare measures, religious concord and the rejection of aggressive conquest.
- Surface
- Three boulders on a rocky outcrop
- Condition
- In situ and protected.
- Context
- Located near routes toward Kashmir, Gilgit, Central Asia and Taxila.
A principal source for Ashokan Prakrit in Kharosthi script.
Kalsi Major Rock Edicts
Dehradun district, Uttarakhand
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Fourteen Major Rock Edicts, including Edict XIII
- Message
- Moral government, restraint, welfare, religious tolerance and Ashoka’s remorse over Kalinga.
- Surface
- Large quartz boulder near the Yamuna–Tons route
- Condition
- In situ under ASI protection.
- Context
- The only complete Major Rock Edict series in northern India within the present Indian border.
Provides a northern Brahmi counterpart to the Kharosthi versions at Shahbazgarhi and Mansehra.
Girnar Major Rock Edicts
Junagadh, Gujarat
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Fourteen Major Rock Edicts; later inscriptions of Rudradaman and Skandagupta share the rock
- Message
- Dhamma, medical and welfare measures, animal protection, religious concord and conquest by dhamma.
- Surface
- Natural rock at the foot of Girnar
- Condition
- In situ and protected.
- Context
- Its later inscriptions turned the rock into a long epigraphic archive spanning Mauryan, Western Kshatrapa and Gupta rule.
A key western recension and an exceptional example of reuse of a prestigious inscriptional landscape.
Sopara Major Rock Edict Fragments
Nala Sopara, Maharashtra
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Fragments of Major Rock Edicts VIII and IX
- Message
- Dhamma journeys and criticism of empty ceremonial practices in favour of ethical conduct.
- Surface
- Fragments discovered at the ancient port settlement
- Condition
- The original inscription is fragmentary and not preserved as a complete in-situ series.
- Context
- Sopara was a major western port connected to Arabian Sea commerce.
Shows that the Major Rock Edict programme reached important maritime gateways.
Dhauli Major and Separate Kalinga Edicts
Near Bhubaneswar, Odisha
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Major Rock Edicts I–X and XIV; Separate Kalinga Edicts I–II; elephant relief
- Message
- Humane provincial administration, impartial justice and a paternal relationship between ruler and subjects after the conquest of Kalinga.
- Surface
- Rock face with sculpted elephant above the inscription
- Condition
- In situ and protected.
- Context
- The usual Major Rock Edicts XI–XIII are omitted and replaced by special instructions to officers in conquered Kalinga.
One of the clearest sites for studying how Ashoka adapted imperial messages to a recently conquered province.
Jaugada Major and Separate Kalinga Edicts
Ganjam district, Odisha
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Major Rock Edicts I–X and XIV; Separate Kalinga Edicts I–II
- Message
- Instructions to Mahamatras at Samapa on justice, restraint and winning the confidence of frontier peoples.
- Surface
- Rock inscription near the ancient fortified settlement
- Condition
- In situ and protected.
- Context
- Like Dhauli, Jaugada replaces Edicts XI–XIII with special Kalinga proclamations.
Pairs with Dhauli to reveal the administrative geography of post-conquest Kalinga.
Erragudi / Yerragudi Major Rock Edicts
Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Major Rock Edicts and Minor Rock Edicts distributed across rock surfaces
- Message
- Dhamma, welfare, restraint, respect for parents and teachers, and Ashoka’s own religious effort.
- Surface
- Multiple rock faces on a hill or ridge
- Condition
- In situ and protected; layout is dispersed and locally complex.
- Context
- A major southern inscription complex on the Dakshinapatha corridor.
Shows the depth of Ashokan communication in the Deccan.
Sannati Edict Fragments
Kalaburagi district, Karnataka
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Fragments of Major Rock Edicts XII and XIV and Separate Edicts, recovered from the Kanaganahalli–Sannati area
- Message
- Religious concord and humane administration; the surviving fragments connect the Deccan with the wider imperial corpus.
- Surface
- Inscribed stone slabs, some reused in later structures
- Condition
- Fragments discovered archaeologically; not a single intact roadside rock series.
- Context
- The wider site also preserves important Buddhist remains and later sculptural evidence.
A major modern discovery that expanded knowledge of Ashokan inscriptions in Karnataka.
Bairat / Bhabru Edict
Bairat, Rajasthan
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Bhabru or Bairat Edict addressed to the Buddhist Sangha
- Message
- Ashoka expresses reverence for the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha and recommends specific Buddhist teachings for repeated study.
- Surface
- Inscribed rock or slab from the Bairat hills
- Condition
- The famous inscribed stone was removed and is preserved by the Asiatic Society, Kolkata.
- Context
- More explicitly Buddhist than the general dhamma language of most major edicts.
Essential for understanding Ashoka’s personal relationship with Buddhist teaching.
Bahapur Minor Rock Edict
Srinivaspuri–Bahapur, Delhi
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Minor Rock Edict I
- Message
- Ashoka describes becoming a lay Buddhist and intensifying his religious effort; urges people of all ranks to exert themselves.
- Surface
- Rock surface in the Delhi ridge zone
- Condition
- Protected monument in a heavily urbanised setting.
- Context
- The inscription demonstrates that the imperial message reached the upper Yamuna route near ancient Indraprastha.
An important urban-survival case within modern Delhi.
Gujarra Minor Rock Edict
Datia district, Madhya Pradesh
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Minor Rock Edict I; contains the personal name Ashoka
- Message
- Religious exertion, moral progress and the possibility of spiritual advancement for ordinary people.
- Surface
- Rock face
- Condition
- In situ and protected.
- Context
- Along with Maski, it helped confirm that Devanampiya Piyadasi was Emperor Ashoka.
One of the most important inscriptions for identifying the author of the edict corpus.
Panguraria Minor Rock Edicts
Sehore district, Madhya Pradesh
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Minor Rock Edict and associated short inscriptional records
- Message
- Ashoka’s Buddhist commitment and moral exertion, linked to a route and shelter landscape.
- Surface
- Rock shelters and surfaces
- Condition
- In situ; multiple inscriptional elements occur in the area.
- Context
- The site lies between the Ganga system, Ujjain and Deccan routes.
Provides evidence for dissemination through central Indian movement corridors.
Rupnath Minor Rock Edict
Jabalpur district, Madhya Pradesh
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Minor Rock Edict I
- Message
- Ashoka’s progress as a Buddhist lay follower and the value of sustained moral exertion.
- Surface
- Rock near a sacred waterfall and route landscape
- Condition
- In situ and protected.
- Context
- The location combines a route, water source and sacred setting.
Illustrates how edicts were placed where travellers and pilgrims could encounter them.
Sasaram Minor Rock Edict
Rohtas district, Bihar
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Minor Rock Edict I
- Message
- Religious effort, moral improvement and Ashoka’s commitment as a lay follower.
- Surface
- Rock face on Chandan Shahid hill
- Condition
- In situ and protected.
- Context
- The site stands on a major east–west communication corridor later associated with the Grand Trunk route.
Connects the Magadhan core with the western and northwestern road system.
Ratanpurwa Minor Rock Edict
Chandauli district, Uttar Pradesh
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Minor Rock Edict
- Message
- Moral exertion, obedience and the spread of dhamma through local officers and communities.
- Surface
- Rock surface
- Condition
- In situ; less widely known than the major sites.
- Context
- Located close to the middle Ganga–Vindhyan route zone.
Helps reveal the density of Ashokan communication around the imperial heartland.
Ahraura Minor Rock Edict
Mirzapur district, Uttar Pradesh
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Minor Rock Edict I
- Message
- Ashoka’s religious effort and appeal for moral progress.
- Surface
- Rock shelter or rock surface in the Vindhyan hills
- Condition
- In situ and protected.
- Context
- Its placement reflects routes between the Ganga plain and central India.
Shows the use of upland passages rather than only great urban centres.
Maski Minor Rock Edict
Raichur district, Karnataka
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Minor Rock Edict I; explicitly uses the name Asoka
- Message
- Ashoka’s lay Buddhist identity, increased zeal and call for moral exertion.
- Surface
- Rock surface
- Condition
- In situ and protected.
- Context
- Discovered in 1915; the personal name solved a major historical identification problem.
The classic inscription linking “Devanampiya Piyadasi” with Ashoka.
Brahmagiri Minor Rock Edicts
Chitradurga district, Karnataka
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Minor Rock Edicts I and II, including instructions transmitted through officials
- Message
- Respect for parents and teachers, kindness to living beings, truthfulness and local dissemination of royal orders.
- Surface
- Rock surface near an archaeological settlement and route
- Condition
- In situ and protected.
- Context
- Associated with the southern provincial zone traditionally linked with Suvarnagiri.
A principal Deccan site for the shorter practical formulations of dhamma.
Siddapura Minor Rock Edict
Near Brahmagiri, Karnataka
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Minor Rock Edicts closely related to the Brahmagiri version
- Message
- Moral discipline, respect for elders and communication through regional officers.
- Surface
- Rock surface
- Condition
- In situ; very close to Brahmagiri.
- Context
- Part of a dense cluster demonstrating repeated publication rather than a single regional copy.
Shows the intensity of Ashokan messaging in the Chitradurga zone.
Jatinga-Rameshwara Minor Rock Edict
Chitradurga district, Karnataka
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Minor Rock Edict version related to Brahmagiri and Siddapura
- Message
- Obedience, compassion and moral exertion communicated to southern communities.
- Surface
- Rock surface
- Condition
- In situ and protected.
- Context
- Forms a three-site cluster with Brahmagiri and Siddapura.
Useful for comparing local scribal copies of a common royal message.
Gavimath Minor Rock Edict
Koppal district, Karnataka
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Minor Rock Edict
- Message
- Ashoka’s Buddhist commitment and call for sustained moral effort.
- Surface
- Rock or hill surface
- Condition
- In situ and protected.
- Context
- Located in a major Deccan route and settlement zone.
Part of the southern concentration of Minor Rock Edicts.
Palkigundu Minor Rock Edict
Koppal district, Karnataka
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Minor Rock Edict
- Message
- Moral exertion and royal communication to local populations.
- Surface
- Rock surface
- Condition
- In situ, close to Gavimath.
- Context
- The close pair demonstrates multiple publication points within one regional corridor.
Important for the micro-geography of Ashokan communication.
Rajula-Mandagiri Minor Rock Edicts
Kurnool–Anantapur border region, Andhra Pradesh
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Minor Rock Edicts on horizontal rock surfaces
- Message
- Moral conduct, religious effort and obedience to parents and teachers.
- Surface
- Horizontal rock faces
- Condition
- In situ and protected.
- Context
- The unusual surface orientation affects how the inscription was encountered and read.
Adds variety to the physical presentation of Ashokan messages.
Nittur Minor Rock Edicts
Ballari district, Karnataka
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Minor Rock Edicts, including versions naming Ashoka in the regional corpus
- Message
- Personal religious exertion and practical ethical duties.
- Surface
- Vertical rock surface
- Condition
- In situ and protected.
- Context
- Part of the Bellary–Koppal concentration along Deccan routes.
Provides important textual variants and naming evidence.
Udegolam Minor Rock Edicts
Ballari district, Karnataka
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Minor Rock Edicts
- Message
- Moral discipline and the spread of royal instruction through local administration.
- Surface
- Rock surface
- Condition
- In situ and protected.
- Context
- Located extremely close to Nittur and therefore offset on the map with a true-location anchor.
Demonstrates repeated inscription within a compact administrative landscape.
Topra: Original Site of the Delhi-Topra Pillar
Topra Kalan, Haryana
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Original location of the pillar bearing Major Pillar Edicts I–VII
- Message
- The full pillar programme includes dhamma administration, justice, welfare, animal protection and Ashoka’s summary of his moral policies.
- Surface
- Original pillar site
- Condition
- The pillar was transported to Firoz Shah Kotla, Delhi, by Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlaq in the fourteenth century.
- Context
- The original location lay on a northern communication route.
Separating original and present positions prevents a major mapping error.
Delhi-Topra Pillar at Firoz Shah Kotla
Firoz Shah Kotla, Delhi
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Major Pillar Edicts I–VII; Pillar Edict VII is uniquely preserved here
- Message
- Ashoka’s mature dhamma policy, administrative officers, public welfare, justice and a retrospective summary of his achievements.
- Surface
- Monolithic polished sandstone pillar
- Condition
- Moved from Topra in the fourteenth century and re-erected in Delhi.
- Context
- Its relocation created one of the most famous surviving Ashokan monuments in Delhi.
The only surviving pillar with the complete seventh Major Pillar Edict.
Meerut: Original Site of the Delhi-Meerut Pillar
Meerut, Uttar Pradesh
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Original location of a pillar bearing Major Pillar Edicts
- Message
- Dhamma, justice, welfare and ethical governance.
- Surface
- Original pillar site
- Condition
- Moved to Delhi by Firoz Shah Tughlaq; later damaged by an explosion and restored.
- Context
- The original position lay on the upper Ganga–Yamuna route system.
Must be distinguished from its present Delhi location.
Delhi-Meerut Pillar at the Northern Ridge
Delhi Northern Ridge
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Major Pillar Edicts
- Message
- Moral administration, justice, restraint and welfare.
- Surface
- Polished sandstone pillar
- Condition
- Relocated from Meerut in the fourteenth century; broken in the eighteenth century and reassembled.
- Context
- Its present setting is secondary, not Mauryan.
A key example of the post-Mauryan movement and conservation history of Ashokan pillars.
Kaushambi: Original Site of the Prayagraj Pillar
Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Original site associated with the pillar now at Prayagraj; includes Schism-related and administrative records in its inscriptional history
- Message
- Preservation of Sangha unity and royal orders; the same pillar later accumulated inscriptions of Samudragupta and Jahangir.
- Surface
- Original pillar location
- Condition
- The date and circumstances of removal to Prayagraj are debated.
- Context
- Kaushambi was a major Mauryan and earlier urban centre on the Yamuna.
The original-location marker is essential for interpreting the pillar’s Ashokan context.
Prayagraj / Allahabad–Kosam Pillar
Prayagraj Fort, Uttar Pradesh
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Major Pillar Edicts; Queen’s Edict; Schism-related record; later Samudragupta and Jahangir inscriptions
- Message
- Dhamma administration; the Queen’s Edict records donations of Karuvaki, mother of Tivara; the pillar also orders protection of Sangha unity.
- Surface
- Monolithic polished sandstone pillar
- Condition
- Now inside Prayagraj Fort; traditionally associated with an original location at Kaushambi.
- Context
- A multi-period inscriptional monument spanning Mauryan, Gupta and Mughal history.
One of South Asia’s most important cumulative epigraphic archives.
Lauriya-Araraj Pillar
East Champaran, Bihar
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Six Major Pillar Edicts
- Message
- Dhamma, justice, self-examination, humane treatment and regulation of animal killing.
- Surface
- Standing monolithic polished sandstone pillar
- Condition
- In situ; capital no longer survives.
- Context
- Located along the northern Bihar communication corridor.
One of the best-preserved in-situ carriers of the six-edict pillar series.
Lauriya-Nandangarh Pillar
West Champaran, Bihar
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Six Major Pillar Edicts
- Message
- Ethical governance, justice, welfare and restraint.
- Surface
- Standing sandstone pillar with lion capital
- Condition
- In situ and protected.
- Context
- The pillar stands near a landscape of ancient mounds and routes toward Nepal.
Combines inscriptional, artistic and archaeological importance.
Rampurva Pillars
West Champaran, Bihar
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Major Pillar Edicts on one of the pillars; two pillars and famous bull and lion capitals are associated with the site
- Message
- Moral administration and the standard pillar-edict programme.
- Surface
- Two polished sandstone pillars
- Condition
- The capitals and components are now dispersed, including the bull capital at Rashtrapati Bhavan and lion capital in the Indian Museum.
- Context
- Located close to routes toward the Nepal Terai.
A major source for Mauryan pillar art as well as epigraphy.
Sanchi Schism Edict Pillar
Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Minor Pillar or Schism Edict
- Message
- Monks or nuns who divide the Sangha are to be expelled from the monastic community and made to wear white garments.
- Surface
- Pillar at the Buddhist complex
- Condition
- Fragmentary pillar remains in the monumental landscape.
- Context
- The message reflects direct royal concern with institutional unity in the Buddhist Sangha.
Connects Ashokan epigraphy with one of India’s greatest Buddhist sites.
Sarnath Schism Edict Pillar
Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Schism Edict; pillar originally carried the lion capital now India’s State Emblem
- Message
- Orders preservation of unity within the Buddhist Sangha.
- Surface
- Polished sandstone pillar
- Condition
- Broken shaft remains at the site; lion capital preserved in Sarnath Museum.
- Context
- Sarnath was associated with the Buddha’s first sermon.
Unites political symbolism, Buddhist institutional history and Mauryan art.
Lumbini / Rummindei Pillar Inscription
Lumbini, Nepal
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Commemorative pillar inscription, regnal year 20
- Message
- Records Ashoka’s personal visit, identifies the Buddha’s birthplace and reduces the village’s tax burden.
- Surface
- Standing sandstone pillar
- Condition
- In situ within the UNESCO World Heritage property.
- Context
- One of the rare inscriptions linking Ashoka to a specific Buddhist pilgrimage event and tax concession.
The inscription is the principal ancient epigraphic testimony identifying Lumbini as the Buddha’s birthplace.
Nigali Sagar / Niglihawa Pillar
Kapilvastu district, Nepal
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Commemorative pillar inscription, referring to regnal years 14 and 20
- Message
- Records enlargement of the stupa of the former Buddha Kanakamuni and Ashoka’s later personal visit and worship.
- Surface
- Broken sandstone pillar in two pieces
- Condition
- In situ at Niglihawa; bears a later inscription of Ripu Malla.
- Context
- Shows Ashoka’s patronage of Buddhist sacred geography beyond sites associated only with Gautama Buddha.
A unique record of stupa enlargement and royal pilgrimage.
Barabar Cave Inscriptions
Jehanabad district, Bihar
- Script / language
- Brahmi; Prakrit
- Edict / record
- Dedicatory inscriptions in caves including Sudama, Visvakarma and Karna Chaupar
- Message
- Ashoka donates highly polished rock-cut caves to the Ajivikas in specified regnal years.
- Surface
- Rock-cut cave interiors and entrances
- Condition
- In situ and protected.
- Context
- The caves reveal that Ashoka’s patronage was not limited to Buddhism and preserve exceptional Mauryan stone polish.
Crucial for religious plurality, royal patronage and the beginnings of Indian rock-cut architecture.
Gotihawa Ashokan Pillar
Kapilvastu district, Nepal
- Script / language
- No surviving Ashokan inscription; —
- Edict / record
- Uninscribed pillar traditionally associated with Ashoka’s pilgrimage to the birthplace of Krakuchhanda Buddha
- Message
- The site tradition links the pillar and stupa to Ashoka’s Buddhist pilgrimage programme.
- Surface
- Broken pillar standing on an ancient foundation
- Condition
- In situ; attribution is based on archaeological and pilgrimage traditions rather than a surviving Ashokan text.
- Context
- Part of the sacred geography described by later Chinese pilgrims.
Included as a pillar location, but clearly separated from securely inscribed pillars.
Kolhua–Vaishali Ashokan Pillar
Vaishali, Bihar
- Script / language
- No Ashokan edict; later marks occur; —
- Edict / record
- Uninscribed lion-capital pillar traditionally attributed to Ashoka
- Message
- Commemorative monument associated with the Buddha’s visits and the Buddhist landscape of Vaishali.
- Surface
- Standing monolithic pillar with lion capital
- Condition
- In situ and protected.
- Context
- The pillar does not bear the standard Ashokan edict series.
Important for Mauryan pillar architecture but should not be confused with an inscribed edict pillar.
Sankissa Ashokan Pillar Site
Farrukhabad district, Uttar Pradesh
- Script / language
- No surviving Ashokan edict; —
- Edict / record
- Pillar and elephant-capital tradition associated with Ashoka
- Message
- Commemorative marking of a major Buddhist pilgrimage site connected with the Buddha’s descent from heaven.
- Surface
- Broken pillar/capital remains and archaeological site
- Condition
- Attribution and reconstruction depend on archaeology and pilgrimage accounts rather than a surviving edict.
- Context
- Part of the Buddhist pilgrimage network later described by Chinese travellers.
Included as a pillar location with an explicit evidence caution.
Test yourself
1. Which northwestern sites preserve the Major Rock Edicts in Kharosthi script?
Shahbazgarhi and Mansehra preserve Prakrit edicts written right-to-left in Kharosthi.
2. At which Minor Rock Edict site does the personal name Ashoka appear prominently?
Maski was decisive in linking Devanampiya Piyadasi with Ashoka; Gujarra also contains the personal name.
3. Why are Dhauli and Jaugada distinctive?
Their special proclamations address administration and justice in conquered Kalinga.
4. Which pillar inscription identifies the Buddha’s birthplace?
The Lumbini or Rummindei inscription records Ashoka’s visit and tax concession at the Buddha’s birthplace.
5. Which site records the enlargement of Kanakamuni Buddha’s stupa?
The Nigali Sagar inscription records enlargement of the Kanakamuni stupa and Ashoka’s later visit.
6. The Barabar cave inscriptions were dedicated primarily to the:
Ashoka donated polished rock-cut caves to the Ajivikas.
7. The Delhi-Topra pillar originally stood at:
Firoz Shah Tughlaq moved the pillar from Topra to Delhi.
8. Which Ashokan inscription is especially explicit in recommending Buddhist texts?
The Bairat Edict addresses the Sangha and names teachings for repeated study.
9. The Queen’s Edict names which queen?
Karuvaki, mother of Tivara, is named in the Queen’s Edict on the Prayagraj pillar.
10. Major Rock Edict XIII is famous for:
Edict XIII reflects on the suffering caused by Kalinga and promotes conquest by dhamma.
11. What does the presence of Greek and Aramaic at Kandahar show?
The Kandahar records address a multilingual frontier shaped by Hellenistic and Achaemenid traditions.
12. Which pillar preserves Major Pillar Edict VII?
The Topra pillar in Delhi uniquely preserves the full seventh Major Pillar Edict.
Frequently asked questions
What are Ashokan edicts?
They are public proclamations issued by Emperor Ashoka in the third century BCE and inscribed on natural rocks, prepared pillars and cave walls across the Mauryan realm.
Were all Ashokan inscriptions Buddhist sermons?
No. Most promote dhamma as an ethical and administrative policy—respect, restraint, welfare, justice and religious concord. Some records, such as the Bairat Edict and Buddhist pilgrimage pillars, are more explicitly Buddhist.
Which scripts were used?
Brahmi was used across most of the subcontinent; Kharosthi was used at Shahbazgarhi and Mansehra; Greek and Aramaic were used in and around Kandahar and Laghman.
Why are the edicts called major and minor?
Major Rock Edicts are longer series of fourteen proclamations, while Minor Rock Edicts are shorter and often more personal. Major Pillar Edicts form a later, mature series engraved on polished pillars.
Which inscription mentions the Kalinga war?
Major Rock Edict XIII describes the suffering caused by the conquest and Ashoka’s preference for conquest by dhamma. Dhauli and Jaugada instead carry special Kalinga instructions.
Which inscriptions name Ashoka directly?
Maski and Gujarra are especially important because their versions contain the personal name Ashoka, helping historians identify Devanampiya Piyadasi.
Why are some pillar markers shown twice?
The Topra, Meerut and Kaushambi pillars were moved. The map distinguishes their historically meaningful original locations from their current locations in Delhi or Prayagraj.
Are Vaishali, Sankissa and Gotihawa edict pillars?
They are included as Ashokan pillar locations, but no standard Ashokan edict survives on them. The map places them in a separate uninscribed or attributed category.
What do the edicts reveal about Mauryan administration?
They mention Mahamatras, judicial concerns, provincial officers, periodic tours, welfare projects and direct royal instructions distributed through regional communication networks.
Why are Ashokan inscriptions historically important?
They are the earliest large, datable corpus of royal inscriptions in South Asia and provide contemporary evidence for Ashoka’s policies, languages, scripts, empire and religious world.
Sources and further reading
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Serial nomination for Ashokan Edict sites along the Mauryan Routes, including official coordinates for major Indian rock, pillar and cave sites.
- Archaeological Survey of India regional circles and protected-monument records, including the Kalsi inscription and Bihar pillars.
- Pakistan Department of Archaeology and Museums and UNESCO Tentative List entries for Shahbazgarhi and Mansehra.
- UNESCO World Heritage documentation for Lumbini and the Lumbini Development Trust’s descriptions of Niglihawa and Gotihawa.
- Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum and modern scholarly editions of the Ashokan inscriptions for textual classification and translation.
- Upinder Singh, A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India; Romila Thapar, Aśoka and the Decline of the Mauryas.
The atlas distinguishes secure in-situ inscriptions, relocated pillars, approximate regional locations and attributed uninscribed pillars. It should not be used to infer exact Mauryan political borders.
