Ashoka & Dhamma
UPSC Notes
Ashoka was the most prominent ruler of the Mauryan dynasty.
The Kalinga War, generally placed around 261 BCE, became a major turning point in his reign.
The suffering caused by the war led Ashoka to emphasise Dhamma.
Ashoka's Dhamma
Ashoka's Dhamma was not simply Buddhism. It was a broad ethical and social code.
It emphasised:
Non-violence
Respect for parents and elders
Compassion
Religious tolerance
Humane treatment of servants
Welfare of people
Restraint in behaviour
Dhamma Mahamatras
Ashoka appointed special officials called Dhamma Mahamatras to promote Dhamma.
Major Inscriptions
Ashoka's ideas are known primarily through:
Major Rock Edicts
Minor Rock Edicts
Pillar Edicts
Rock Edict XIII is particularly important because it describes the Kalinga War and Ashoka's remorse.
Key Pointers
Kalinga War → major turning point
Dhamma → ethical/social policy
Dhamma ≠ simply Buddhism
Dhamma Mahamatras → officials promoting Dhamma
Rock Edict XIII → Kalinga War
Ashoka promoted religious tolerance
Most Ashokan inscriptions → Prakrit language
Brahmi script → widely used
MCQs
Q13. Which Ashokan inscription provides important information about the Kalinga War?
(a) Major Rock Edict XIII
(b) Pillar Edict VII
(c) Minor Rock Edict I
(d) Bhabru Edict
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Major Rock Edict XIII describes the Kalinga War and Ashoka's remorse following the conflict.
Category: Ancient History – Ashoka
Q14. Dhamma Mahamatras were associated with which ruler?
(a) Chandragupta Maurya
(b) Bindusara
(c) Ashoka
(d) Samudragupta
Answer: (c) Ashoka
Explanation: Ashoka appointed Dhamma Mahamatras to promote and supervise aspects of his Dhamma policy.
Category: Ancient History – Ashoka's Dhamma