Ashoka’s 14 Major Rock Edicts UPSC UPPCS
🟦 Ashoka’s 14 Major Rock Edicts
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🟦 (1) First Rock Edict
• Criticism of animal killing and sacrifices.
• The king himself gave up animal sacrifices.
• The people were instructed to reduce violence.
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🟦 (2) Second Rock Edict
• Emphasis on medical facilities.
• Establishment of hospitals for both humans and animals.
• Provision for planting trees and growing medicinal herbs.
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🟧 (3) Third Rock Edict
• Instruction to officers (princes, Mahāmātras) to tour every five years and preach Dhamma (moral conduct) to the people.
• Promotion of moral education.
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🟨 (4) Fourth Rock Edict
• Discussion on the reduction of violence and the spread of morality.
• It states that before Ashoka’s rule, people were violent, but now—under the policy of Dhamma—they have improved.
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🟨 (5) Fifth Rock Edict
• Mentions the appointment of “Dhamma Mahāmātras” (Officers of Righteousness).
• These officials were responsible for the welfare of the people, women, Brahmins, and Buddhist monks.
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🟫 (6) Sixth Rock Edict
• Ashoka described himself as a “servant of Dhamma.”
• Declared that a king must always listen to his people.
• Ordered that subjects may express their opinions or complaints at any time.
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🟨 (7) Seventh Rock Edict
• Contains the most detailed description of Ashoka’s Dhamma policy.
• Preaches tolerance, compassion, truth, good conduct, purity, and non-violence.
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🟫 (8) Eighth Rock Edict
• Mentions Ashoka’s Dhamma-yatras (religious tours).
• Earlier, the king used to go on hunting trips, but later he began pilgrimages and spiritual journeys.
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🟨 (9) Ninth Rock Edict
• Criticism of empty religious rituals.
• States that instead of worship and sacrifice, following Dhamma and showing kindness is far superior.
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🟫 (10) Tenth Rock Edict
• Ashoka declared that following Dhamma is greater than fame or glory.
• The highest duty of a ruler is to guide his people on the moral path.
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🟦 (11) Eleventh Rock Edict
• Describes Dhamma as the greatest gift.
• Says that Dhamma-dāna (the gift of righteousness) is superior to the gift of gold, silver, or material possessions.
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🟧 (12) Twelfth Rock Edict
• Stresses religious tolerance.
• Advises people to respect all religions and refrain from criticizing one another.
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🟫 (13) Thirteenth Rock Edict
• The most famous inscription.
• Describes the Kalinga War.
• States that hundreds of thousands were killed, which deeply grieved Ashoka.
• Afterward, he renounced war and adopted the policy of Dhamma and non-violence.
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🟧 (14) Fourteenth Rock Edict
• Explains that the language and content of the edicts vary across regions.
• The message, however, remains the same—adapted to the language of the local people.
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Would you like me to translate this into academic-style English (for essays/exams) or keep it simple and easy to read (for quick study notes)?
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