Category

Edict Number & Location

Key Content & Messages

Major Rock Edicts
‎(14 total, found at Girnar (Gujarat), Kalsi (Uttarakhand), Mansehra & Shahbazgarhi (Pakistan), Yerragudi (Andhra), etc.)

Edict 1
‎(Time: c. 257 BCE; Found in most Major Rock Edict sites)

Prohibits animal slaughter for religious sacrifices. Reduces the royal kitchen’s meat consumption, reflecting Ashoka’s commitment to Ahimsa (non-violence).

Edict 2
‎(Time: c. 257 BCE; Locations: Girnar, Kalsi, etc.)

Declares welfare measures for humans and animals. Mentions building hospitals, planting medicinal herbs, digging wells, and providing medical aid. References neighbouring territories like Chola, Pandya, and Sri Lanka, showing a broad humanitarian outlook.

Edict 3
‎(Time: c. 257 BCE; Locations vary)

Urges obedience to parents, respect for elders, and generosity toward Brahmins and teachers. Highlights core moral virtues for societal harmony.

Edict 4
‎(Time: c. 257 BCE)

States that violence and cruelty (e.g., animal sacrifices) have significantly declined. Emphasizes the active spread of Dhamma (righteousness) and moral progress across the empire.

Edict 5
‎(Time: c. 257 BCE)

Announces the appointment of Dhamma Mahamatras (officers of righteousness) tasked with promoting welfare, ethics, and religious harmony throughout the empire.

Edict 6
‎(Time: c. 257 BCE)

Calls for administrative efficiency and an open-door policy so that royal officers are always accessible for public grievances. Encourages swift and fair judicial processes.

Edict 7
‎(Time: c. 257 BCE)

Advocates religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence among all sects. Urges that the essence of Dhamma (moral and ethical behaviour) is more important than sectarian rituals.

Edict 8
‎(Time: c. 257 BCE)

Describes Ashoka’s personal pilgrimage (Dhamma-yatra) to sacred sites, including Bodh Gaya. Demonstrates his dedication to spreading Buddhist teachings.

Edict 9
‎(Time: c. 257 BCE)

Criticizes meaningless ceremonies and rituals; instead, stresses charity, moral conduct, and reverence for elders as truly beneficial practices.

Edict 10
‎(Time: c. 257 BCE)

Rejects personal fame or glory through grand conquests. Declares that true honour lies in disseminating and upholding Dhamma.

Edict 11
‎(Time: c. 257 BCE)

Defines Dhamma as universal righteousness, focusing on kindness, truth, and moral integrity beyond religious barriers.

Edict 12
‎(Time: c. 257 BCE)

Strongly reaffirms religious toleranceAdvises abstaining from praising one’s own faith at the cost of another’s. Seeks harmony and respect among different communities.

Edict 13
‎(Time: c. 256 BCE; Most famous Edict; missing in some places replaced by “Separate Edicts”)

The Kalinga War account. Expresses Ashoka’s remorse over the massive bloodshed. Declares a shift from military conquest to Dhamma-vijaya (victory through righteousness), reflecting a major turning point in Ashoka’s life and policy.

Edict 14
‎(Time: c. 257 BCE)

Provides a summary and concluding note of all inscriptions. Mentions how edicts were composed in different places and languages to ensure wide accessibility.

Separate (Kalinga) Rock Edicts
‎(Found at Dhauli and Jaugada in Odisha; sometimes labeled as Edict I & II)

Separate Edict I
‎(Time: c. 256 BCE; Dhauli, Jaugada)

Replaces/overlaps Major Rock Edict 13 in Kalinga region. Addresses local administration, instructing officers to govern with leniency and compassion. Emphasizes the welfare of Kalinga, newly conquered territory, and urges moral conduct.

Separate Edict II
‎(Time: c. 256 BCE; Dhauli, Jaugada)

Further clarifies the responsibilities of local officialsStresses ensuring no oppression of the people, particularly those in newly annexed regions. Reinforces Ashoka’s commitment to non-violence and just governance post-Kalinga War.

Minor Rock Edicts
‎(Several, often shorter or site-specific)

Bhabru Edict (Rajasthan)
‎(Time: c. 257–249 BCE)

Expresses Ashoka’s personal devotion to Buddhism. Mentions seven important passages from the Buddhist canon that Ashoka urges monks and nuns to study diligently.

Rummindei Edict (Lumbini, Nepal)
‎(Time: c. 257–249 BCE)

Marks Lumbini as the birthplace of the Buddha. Grants the region tax exemptions and other benefits to honour its significance.

Nigali Sagar Edict (Nepal)
‎(Time: c. 257–249 BCE)

Records Ashoka’s visit and enlargement of the stupa of Buddha Kanakamuni, showcasing Ashoka’s support for Buddhist monuments.

Maski, Gujarra, Nittur, Udegolam, etc.
‎(Time: c. 257–249 BCE)

Significant for explicitly identifying Ashoka by name: Devanampiya Piyadasi, Ashoka. The Maski edict was critical in confirming that “Devanampiya Piyadasi” is indeed King Ashoka.

Pillar Edicts
‎(Mainly in places like Topra (Delhi), Meerut, Allahabad, Lauriya Nandangarh, Rampurva, Sarnath, etc.)

Pillar Edict 1
‎(Time: c. 242 BCE; Allahabad, Sarnath, etc.)

Bans animal sacrifice and festive slaughter. Reinforces Ashoka’s stance on non-violence.

Pillar Edict 2
‎(Time: c. 242 BCE)

Expounds Dhamma as a code of moral duties: avoiding sin, doing good, being kind, truthful, and disciplined.

Pillar Edict 3
‎(Time: c. 242 BCE)

Directs Dhamma Mahamatras to periodically tour the empire, teaching moral and ethical conduct, and ensuring fair administration of justice.

Pillar Edict 4
‎(Time: c. 242 BCE)

Elaborates on the judicial system, advocating compassion in sentencing. Encourages officials to interpret laws leniently to reduce hardship for the populace.

Pillar Edict 5
‎(Time: c. 242 BCE)

Announces welfare measures for prisoners and animals (e.g., release of prisoners on certain festivals, restrictions on animal killings). Illustrates Ashoka’s compassion-driven policies.

Pillar Edict 6
‎(Time: c. 242 BCE)

Portrays Ashoka as a fatherly ruler who is personally involved in the moral and material welfare of his subjects. Reflects his hands-on administrative style.

Pillar Edict 7
‎(Time: c. 242 BCE)

Summarizes Ashoka’s Dhamma policy, underlining righteousness, non-violence, religious harmony, and compassionate governance as the hallmarks of his rule.

Separate Pillar Edicts
‎(Delhi-Topra, Meerut, Lauriya Nandangarh, Sarnath, etc.)

Delhi-Topra & Meerut Pillars
‎(Time: c. 242–241 BCE)

Reiterate Dhamma principles, highlighting the king’s moral duty to ensure peace, justice, and the spiritual progress of all subjects.

Lauria Nandangarh Pillar (Bihar)
‎(Time: c. 242–241 BCE)

Issues environmental directives like planting shade trees, digging wells, building rest houses along roads for travellers. Demonstrates an early concept of public utility works.

Sarnath Pillar (Uttar Pradesh)
‎(Time: c. 242–241 BCE)

Focuses on religious harmony and protection of all sects. Symbolically important site in Buddhism (where Buddha gave his first sermon). Reinforces Ashoka’s emphasis on tolerance and peaceful coexistence.