Mauryan Inscriptions

Mauryan Inscriptions

Ashokan Inscriptions

• To date, 40 Ashokan inscriptions have been found.

• In Ashokan inscriptions, only Karuwaki among his queens and only Teevar among his children have been mentioned.

• In Ashokan inscriptions, the word "Pasand" for Sampradaya, i.e., community, "Bambhan" for Brahmana, and "Nigrath" for Nirgranthi, i.e., Jain, has been used.

Unique Scripts and Variations

• Bhabru inscription is the only Ashokan inscription in which Boustrophendon (Bailmutti i.e. writing like piss of an ox) script is used. This script is a bidirectional script, from right to left and left to right in alternate lines.

• In the Yerragudi inscription (Andhra Pradesh), the matter of inscription is written in Brahmi script but right to left (Note – Brahmi script is written from left to right direction only).

• In four Ashokan inscriptions found from Maski, Gurjara, Nittur & Udegolam, the word 'Ashoka' is used for him. The The 

• Bhabru inscription is the only Ashokan inscription in which Maurya Ashoka called himself Magadhiraj, i.e., Raja of Magadh.

Later Additions to Ashokan Edicts

• Ashokan Junagadh (Ginar) Major Rock Edict is the inscription on which later Saka ruler Rudradaman (130–50 AD) and Gupta ruler Skandagupta (455–67 AD) inscribed their inscriptions.

• Ashokan Allahabad Pillar Edict is the inscription on which the inscriptions of four persons are inscribed – Ashoka, Karuwaki, Samudragupta & Jehangir.

Discovery and Language

• The first discovered inscription of Ashoka is the Meerut Delhi Pillar Edict, which was discovered in 1750 AD by Joseph Tiefenthaler, a European Jesuit Missionary & Geographer.

• Ashokan inscriptions are generally written in the Brahmi script and the Prakrit language.

• Though Prakrit was the language used in the Ashokan inscription, the script varied from region to region.n 

  • Brahmi script in Eastern India,

  • Kharosthi script in North-Western India, and

  • Greek & Aramaic scripts in Western India.

• In Manshera & Shahbajgadhi (both in Pakistan) Inscription in Kharosthi script (a script that is written from right to left).

• In the Shara-i-Kuna (Kandhar, Afghanistan) Inscription, Greek & Aramaic script is used.

Literature Based on Ashokan Inscriptions

• Devdatta Ramkrishna (D.R.) Bhandarkar has written a book, 'Ashoka' (Published in 1925 AD), which is based only on the inscriptions of Ashoka.

Dasharatha's Nagarjuni Cave Inscription (220 BC)

• This inscription is found in Nagarjuni hills situated in the Jehanabad district of Bihar state. This inscription is written in Prakrit language and Brahmi script.

• According to the inscription, King Dasharatha (grandson of Ashoka) donated three caves, namely Vapika, Gopika & Vadithika caves, to Ajivika monks so that they could reside in the rainy season.

Final Thoughts

Ashokan inscriptions are a cornerstone of ancient Indian history, offering deep insights into the emperor’s life, religious beliefs, administrative policies, and linguistic diversity.

These inscriptions, found across the subcontinent and even beyond, reflect the vast reach of the Mauryan Empire and Ashoka's efforts to communicate his message of dharma.

Variations in script and language across regions further highlight the cultural and geographic expanse of his rule.

Continue reading to explore the inscriptions of the Post-Mauryan period