Asoka's Edicts

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

Asoka's Edicts is a scholarly exploration of the ancient inscriptions left by Emperor Ashoka, the Mauryan emperor renowned for his embrace of Buddhism and his efforts to spread ethical governance throughout his empire. This book delves into Ashoka's rock and pillar edicts, which are among the earliest and most significant examples of recorded ethics and governance in Indian history. Sen provides an analysis of the content, language, and historical context of these edicts, offering readers a window into Ashoka's mind and his approach to rule.

Ashoka's edicts were carved onto rocks and pillars across the Indian subcontinent and were aimed at communicating his principles to his subjects. These inscriptions reveal his commitment to Dhamma (or Dharma), which he advocated as a moral code of non-violence, compassion, and respect for all life. This marked a significant shift from the emperor's earlier, more expansionist rule, symbolizing his transformation after the bloody Kalinga War, which led him to adopt Buddhism and prioritize peace and morality over conquest.

Amulyachandra Sen's work is distinguished by his meticulous translation and interpretation of these edicts, presenting them in a way that highlights Ashoka's universal message of ethical conduct and spiritual growth. Sen Addresses the linguistic and dialectical diversity present in the inscriptions, which were written in Prakrit, Greek, and Aramaic, reflecting the vast extent of Ashoka's empire and his intention to reach a diverse audience.

Amulyachandra Sen was a renowned Bengali writer, historian, and scholar whose works contributed significantly to Bengali literature and historical studies. Known primarily for his expertise in history and culture, Sen authored several books that explored themes related to ancient and medieval history, philosophy, and literature, He played a vital role in documenting and interpreting the rich history of Bengal, delving into subjects such as religious influences, socio- political changes, and the lives of prominent figures in Bengal's past.

THE English writer H. G. Wells considered Asoka to be one of the Six Greatest Men of history, and yet Humanity outside of Asia did not know anything about him a little over 100 years ago. Even in Asia he had become a legendary figure. But the glory of his personality was specially recognised in Buddhist countries. In the Sanskrit literature of Mahayana Buddhism as rendered into Tibetan and Chinese, and in the Pali literature of Hinayana Buddhism, Asoka has his place well-established as a great king and patron of Buddhism.

But the real Asoka, the human Asoka, was lost to history. He had left behind him quite a number of inscriptions which set forth his ideals and his efforts to bring about a rule of Dharma or Righteousness in his empire, and to spread this Dharma among his neighbours all round, him. These inscriptions were wholly lost sight of in India. The script and the language in which they were written became forgotton in India, and unfortunately no memory of it was preserved in literature.

In India, and outside India too, we are eternally grateful to the curiosity of Europe about the doings of man everywhere to the great Humanity of Europe-in bringing us back the historical Asoka by discovering, reading, translating and disseminating the inscriptions which form the most precious relic of this great man.