Overview
Mauryan Dhamma, also known as Ashoka’s Dhamma (circa 268–232 BCE), was an ethical and moral framework introduced by Emperor Ashoka, the third Mauryan ruler, after the Kalinga War (circa 261 BCE). Based in Pataliputra (modern Patna, Bihar), Dhamma was a universal code promoting social harmony, non-violence, and ethical governance across the diverse Mauryan Empire. It blended principles from Buddhism, Jainism, and Vedic traditions to unify a multi-ethnic, multi-religious population. For UPSC, Dhamma is central to Ancient Indian History (Prelims) and Indian Heritage and Culture (Mains GS Paper I). For BPSC, its implementation in Magadha and inscriptions in Bihar (e.g., Lauriya Nandangarh) are significant.

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1. Historical Context and Origin

• Kalinga War (circa 261 BCE): Ashoka’s conquest of Kalinga (modern Odisha) resulted in over 100,000 deaths and 150,000 deportations, as recorded in Major Rock Edict XIII (Dhauli, Odisha). The war’s devastation caused Ashoka’s remorse, leading to his adoption of Dhamma.
• Buddhist Influence: Guided by monks like Upagupta or Moggaliputta Tissa (leader of the Third Buddhist Council, ~250 BCE, Pataliputra), Ashoka embraced Buddhism but crafted Dhamma as a non-sectarian ethical code.
• Purpose: Dhamma sought to:
  • Foster unity in the empire (Magadha, Gandhara, Kalinga, southern territories).
  • Shift from militarism to ethical governance post-Kalinga.
  • Promote moral behavior among subjects and officials.
• Sources: Ashoka’s edicts (rock, pillar, cave inscriptions), Buddhist texts (Ashokavadana, Dipavamsa, Mahavamsa), and archaeological findings document Dhamma.

Details to Memorize:

• Kalinga War: ~261 BCE, Odisha.
• Casualties: 100,000+ killed, 150,000+ deported (Major Rock Edict XIII).
• Influences: Buddhism (Upagupta, Moggaliputta Tissa), Jainism, Vedic traditions.
• Sources: Edicts, Ashokavadana, Dipavamsa, Mahavamsa.
• Hub: Pataliputra (Patna, Bihar).

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2. Core Principles of Dhamma

Dhamma emphasized moral and social responsibilities, as outlined in Ashoka’s edicts:

• Non-Violence (Ahimsa):
  • Banned animal sacrifices and discouraged hunting (Rock Edict I).
  • Promoted vegetarianism and protected wildlife (e.g., parrots, fish; Rock Edict II).
  • Advocated peaceful human relations.
• Religious Tolerance:
  • Promoted respect for Buddhism, Jainism, Brahmanism, and Ajivikas (Rock Edict VII, XII).
  • Condemned sectarian conflicts and encouraged interfaith harmony.
• Ethical Conduct:
  • Emphasized truthfulness, respect for elders, and kindness to subordinates (Rock Edict IV).
  • Encouraged compassion (daya) for the poor and prisoners.
  • Promoted charity (dana) to religious communities and the needy.
• Social Welfare:
  • Established hospitals for humans and animals (Rock Edict II).
  • Built wells, rest houses (dharamshalas), and planted banyan/mango trees along trade routes (Rock Edict II).
  • Introduced judicial reprieves for prisoners (Pillar Edict V).
• Environmental Conservation:
  • Protected species (e.g., parrots, geese) and restricted fishing (Rock Edict I).
  • Promoted afforestation through tree planting (Rock Edict II).
• Personal Morality:
  • Advocated self-control, purity of thought, and gratitude (Minor Rock Edict, Maski).
  • Encouraged moderation in consumption (Rock Edict III).

Details to Memorize:

• Non-Violence: No sacrifices (Rock Edict I), protected species (Rock Edict II).
• Tolerance: Respect for all religions (Rock Edict VII, XII).
• Welfare: Hospitals, wells, rest houses, trees (Rock Edict II).
• Ethics: Truth, compassion, charity, respect (Rock Edict IV).
• Environment: Wildlife protection, afforestation (Rock Edict I, II).
• Edicts: I (sacrifices), II (welfare), IV (ethics), VII/XII (tolerance), Pillar V (justice).

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3. Propagation of Dhamma

Ashoka employed multiple methods to spread Dhamma across the Mauryan Empire and beyond:

• Edicts:
  • Inscribed in Prakrit (Brahmi script), Greek, and Aramaic for diverse audiences.
  • Major Rock Edicts (14):
    • Locations: Dhauli (Odisha), Girnar (Gujarat), Shahbazgarhi (Pakistan), Mansehra (Pakistan), Jaugada (Odisha).
    • Content:
      • Edict I: Ban on animal sacrifices.
      • Edict II: Welfare measures (hospitals, wells, trees).
      • Edict IV: Ethical duties.
      • Edict VII/XII: Religious tolerance.
      • Edict XIII: Kalinga War and remorse.
  • Pillar Edicts (7):
    • Locations: Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh), Lauriya Nandangarh (Bihar), Delhi-Topra (Delhi), Allahabad-Kosambi (Uttar Pradesh).
    • Content: Judicial reforms (Edict V), Dhamma principles (Edict VI).
  • Minor Rock Edicts:
    • Locations: Maski (Karnataka, mentions Ashoka’s name), Bairat (Rajasthan), Brahmagiri (Karnataka).
    • Content: Personal commitment to Dhamma.
  • Cave Inscriptions:
    • Barabar Caves (Bihar): Donated to Ajivika monks, showing tolerance.
• Dhamma Yatras:
  • Replaced military campaigns with pilgrimages to Buddhist sites: Bodh Gaya (Bihar), Sarnath (UP), Lumbini (Nepal), Kushinagar (UP; Rock Edict VIII).
• Dhamma Mahamatras:
  • Officers appointed from the 13th regnal year (~256 BCE) to enforce Dhamma and welfare (Rock Edict V).
  • Duties: Promote ethics, monitor religious communities, ensure justice.
• Buddhist Missions:
  • Sent emissaries to spread Dhamma and Buddhism:
    • Sri Lanka: Mahendra (son) and Sanghamitra (daughter) carried a Bodhi tree sapling to Anuradhapura (Rock Edict XIII).
    • Southeast Asia: Burma (Myanmar), Thailand.
    • Central Asia: Gandhara, Bactria.
    • Mediterranean: Egypt (Ptolemy II), Greece (Antiochus II), Syria.
• Third Buddhist Council:
  • Held in Pataliputra (~250 BCE) under Moggaliputta Tissa to purify Buddhist teachings.

Details to Memorize:

• Edicts: Major Rock (14), Pillar (7), Minor Rock, Cave.
• Rock Edict Locations: Dhauli, Girnar, Shahbazgarhi, Mansehra, Jaugada.
• Pillar Edict Locations: Sarnath, Lauriya Nandangarh, Delhi-Topra, Allahabad-Kosambi.
• Minor Rock Locations: Maski, Bairat, Brahmagiri.
• Caves: Barabar (Bihar, Ajivikas).
• Languages: Prakrit (Brahmi), Greek, Aramaic.
• Yatras: Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Lumbini, Kushinagar (Rock Edict VIII).
• Mahamatras: Appointed ~256 BCE (Rock Edict V).
• Missions: Sri Lanka (Mahendra, Sanghamitra), Burma, Thailand, Egypt, Greece.
• Council: Pataliputra, ~250 BCE, Moggaliputta Tissa.

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4. Administration and Dhamma

Dhamma shaped Mauryan governance into a welfare-oriented system:

• Centralized System:
  • Capital: Pataliputra (Patna, Bihar).
  • Provinces: Ujjain, Taxila, Suvarnagiri, Tosali, governed by kumara or aryaputra.
  • Officials: Rajukas (revenue/judicial), yuktas (subordinates), Dhamma Mahamatras (ethical overseers).
• Welfare Measures:
  • Healthcare: Hospitals for humans and animals (Rock Edict II).
  • Infrastructure: Wells, rest houses, banyan/mango trees along Uttarapatha (Pataliputra to Taxila; Rock Edict II).
  • Education: Promoted moral education via edicts.
• Judicial Reforms:
  • Reduced harsh punishments, introduced prisoner reprieves (Pillar Edict V).
  • Rajukas empowered for fair justice (Rock Edict V).
• Economic Policies:
  • Continued taxation (bhaga) but prioritized equitable distribution.
  • Supported trade through infrastructure (Rock Edict II).
• Bihar Connection:
  • Pataliputra as Dhamma’s administrative center.
  • Edicts: Lauriya Nandangarh (Pillar), Barabar Caves (Ajivika donation).
  • Third Buddhist Council in Pataliputra.

Details to Memorize:

• Capital: Pataliputra.
• Provinces: Ujjain, Taxila, Suvarnagiri, Tosali.
• Officials: Rajukas, yuktas, Dhamma Mahamatras.
• Welfare: Hospitals, wells, rest houses, trees (Rock Edict II).
• Justice: Reprieves, fair trials (Pillar Edict V).
• Bihar Sites: Pataliputra, Lauriya Nandangarh, Barabar Caves.
• Trade Route: Uttarapatha.

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5. Cultural and Artistic Impact

Dhamma influenced Mauryan art and architecture:

• Stupas:
  • Ashoka built/expanded 84,000 stupas (per Buddhist tradition) for Buddha’s relics.
  • Sites: Sanchi (Madhya Pradesh), Bharhut (Madhya Pradesh), Dharmarajika (Taxila).
• Pillars:
  • Polished sandstone pillars (12–15 meters) with animal capitals:
    • Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh): Four-lion capital, India’s national emblem (1950).
    • Lauriya Nandangarh (Bihar): Single-lion capital.
    • Delhi-Topra: Relocated by Firoz Shah Tughlaq.
• Caves:
  • Barabar Caves (Bihar): Donated to Ajivikas (e.g., Lomas Rishi Cave).
• Artistic Features:
  • Polished sandstone, animal motifs (lion, bull, elephant), Buddhist symbols (lotus, wheel).
  • Dhamma’s ethics reflected in stupa carvings and edicts.
• Cultural Legacy:
  • Influenced Gupta and Kushana art.
  • Sarnath Lion Capital symbolizes modern India.

Details to Memorize:

• Stupas: Sanchi, Bharhut, Dharmarajika.
• Pillars: Sarnath (four lions), Lauriya Nandangarh, Delhi-Topra.
• Caves: Barabar (Bihar, Lomas Rishi).
• Features: Polished sandstone, animal capitals, Buddhist symbols.
• Emblem: Sarnath Lion Capital (1950).

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6. Global and Historical Significance

• Buddhism’s Spread:
  • Dhamma enabled Buddhism’s expansion to Sri Lanka (Anuradhapura, Bodhi tree), Southeast Asia (Burma, Thailand), Central Asia (Gandhara), and Mediterranean (Egypt, Greece).
• Ethical Governance:
  • Introduced welfare-state model with hospitals and infrastructure.
  • Secular tolerance inspired modern India’s pluralism.
• Bihar’s Legacy:
  • Pataliputra as Dhamma’s hub.
  • Edicts (Lauriya Nandangarh, Barabar Caves) and Third Buddhist Council highlight Magadha’s role.
• Historiographical Importance:
  • Dhamma as a secular governance model, per historians like Romila Thapar.

Details to Memorize:

• Buddhist Spread: Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Egypt (Ptolemy II), Greece (Antiochus II).
• Bihar Legacy: Pataliputra, Lauriya Nandangarh, Barabar Caves, Third Buddhist Council.
• Modern Relevance: Secularism, welfare, Sarnath emblem.

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7. Key Memorization Points

• Chronology:
  • Kalinga War: ~261 BCE.
  • Dhamma Mahamatras: ~256 BCE.
  • Third Buddhist Council: ~250 BCE.
• Edicts:
  • Major Rock (14): Dhauli, Girnar, Shahbazgarhi, Mansehra, Jaugada (I, II, IV, VII, XII, XIII).
  • Pillar (7): Sarnath, Lauriya Nandangarh, Delhi-Topra, Allahabad-Kosambi (V, VI).
  • Minor Rock: Maski, Bairat, Brahmagiri.
  • Cave: Barabar (Bihar, Ajivikas).
  • Languages: Prakrit (Brahmi), Greek, Aramaic.
• Propagation:
  • Yatras: Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Lumbini, Kushinagar.
  • Mahamatras: ~256 BCE.
  • Missions: Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, Mediterranean.
  • Council: Pataliputra, ~250 BCE.
• Principles:
  • Non-violence, tolerance, ethics, welfare, environment.
• Bihar Connections:
  • Pataliputra, Lauriya Nandangarh, Barabar Caves, Third Buddhist Council.
• Art:
  • Stupas: Sanchi, Bharhut, Dharmarajika.
  • Pillars: Sarnath (emblem), Lauriya Nandangarh.
  • Caves: Barabar.
• Global Impact:
  • Buddhism’s spread, secularism, welfare state.

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8. Practice Questions for Retention

• Prelims (MCQ):
  • Q: Which edict describes the Kalinga War’s impact on Ashoka’s Dhamma?
    A: Major Rock Edict XIII.
  • Q: The Barabar Caves were donated to:
    A: Ajivikas.
  • Q: Who spread Dhamma in Sri Lanka?
    A: Mahendra and Sanghamitra.
  • Q: When were Dhamma Mahamatras appointed?
    A: ~256 BCE.
• Mains:
  • Q: Discuss the principles and propagation of Ashoka’s Dhamma in Mauryan governance. (15 marks)
  • Q: Evaluate Dhamma’s impact on Bihar’s historical legacy. (10 marks)
  • Q: Analyze Dhamma’s role in Buddhism’s global spread and modern secularism. (15 marks)

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9. Recommended Resources

• NCERT:
  • Our Past-I (Class 6): Chapter 7, Ashoka’s Dhamma.
  • Themes in Indian History-I (Class 11): Chapter 2, Mauryan period.
  • Download: ncert.nic.in.
• NIOS:
  • Indian Culture and Heritage (Code 223): Mauryan culture.
  • Download: nios.ac.in.
• IGNOU:
  • EHI-02: Mauryan governance.
  • Download: egyankosh.ac.in.
• Books:
  • India’s Ancient Past by R.S. Sharma.
  • Ashoka and the Decline of the Mauryas by Romila Thapar.
  • The Edicts of Asoka by N.A. Nikam and R. McKeon.

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10. Why This Topic Matters

• UPSC: Key for Prelims (edicts, locations) and Mains (GS I: governance, culture; GS IV: ethics).
• BPSC: Pataliputra, local edicts, and Third Buddhist Council highlight Bihar’s role.
• Memorization Value: Factual (edicts, missions) and analytical (governance, secularism) aspects suit both exams.