Ashokan Edicts: Creation, Content, and Dissemination (c. 260–232 BCE)

1. Kalinga War prompts Ashoka’s policy shift

   Jan 1, 261 BCELabels: Kalinga War, Ashoka

   • Britannica
   • Ashoka Edicts

2. Kandahar bilingual rock inscription issued (Greek–Aramaic)

   Jan 1, 260 BCELabels: Kandahar Inscription, Greek Aramaic

   • Kandahar Inscription
   • Ashoka Edicts

3. Minor Rock Edicts begin in Prakrit (Brahmi)

   Jan 1, 259 BCELabels: Minor Rock, Brahmi Script

   • Minor Rock Edicts
   • Ashoka Edicts

4. Barabar caves dedicated to Ajivikas (12th regnal year)

   Jan 1, 258 BCELabels: Barabar Caves, Ajivikas

   • Barabar Caves
   • Ashoka Edicts

5. Major Rock Edicts launched as empire-wide program

   Jan 1, 256 BCELabels: Major Rock, Empire Program

   • Ashoka Edicts
   • Khalsi Edicts

6. Kalinga “separate edicts” addressed to provincial officials

   Jan 1, 256 BCELabels: Kalinga Edicts, Provincial Officials

   • Ashoka Edicts
   • Dhauli

7. Major Rock Edict 13 publicizes “conquest by dhamma”

   Jan 1, 256 BCELabels: Major Rock, Interstate Relations

   • Ashoka Edicts
   • Major Rock Edict

8. Schism Edicts warn against division in the Sangha

   Jan 1, 256 BCELabels: Schism Edicts, Sangha

   • Minor Pillar Edicts
   • Ashoka Edicts

9. Bairat (Bhabru/Calcutta–Bairat) edict endorses Buddhist texts

   Jan 1, 250 BCELabels: Bairat Edict, Buddhist Texts

   • Bairat Temple
   • Ashoka Edicts

10. Nigali Sagar pillar inscription records stupa enlargement

    Jan 1, 249 BCELabels: Nigali Sagar, Stupa Enlargement

    • Nigali Sagar
    • Minor Pillar Edicts

11. Rummindei (Lumbini) pillar inscription marks Buddha’s birthplace

    Jan 1, 249 BCELabels: Rummindei Pillar, Lumbini

    • Lumbini Inscription
    • Minor Pillar Edicts

12. Edicts disseminated in multiple scripts and languages

    Jan 1, 248 BCELabels: Multilingual Edicts, Scripts

    • Ashoka Edicts
    • Ashokan Prakrit

13. Major Pillar Edicts issued late in Ashoka’s reign

    Jan 1, 237 BCELabels: Major Pillar, Later Reign

    • Major Pillar Edicts
    • Ashoka Edicts

14. Major Pillar Edict 7 summarizes Ashoka’s dhamma program

    Jan 1, 236 BCELabels: Pillar Edict, Dhamma Program

    • Major Pillar Edicts
    • Ashoka Edicts