The Rock Edicts

The Rock Edicts The rock edicts of Asoka are of two types: major rock edicts and minor rock edicts.
There are 14 major rock edicts. Miljor Rock Edict I It bans festive gatherings and the killing of animals. At the time of writing this edict only three animals-two peacocks and a deer-were killed in the kitchen of Asoka's palace, though the king wished to discontinue this practice. (It is not, however, clear whether the ban on killing refers to all animals or those that were 'protected'. There is also a possibility that the ban is on sacrifice of animals.)

Major Rock Edict II It mentions Chola, Pandya, Satyaputra and Keralpautra kingdoms in South India. It provides for the medical care of man and the care of animals.
Major Rock Edict III It was issued after 12 years of Asoka's consecration. The yuktas (subordinate officers) with the rajukas (rural officers) and the pradesikas (heads of districts) shall go on tour every five years to spread the dhamma policy. The edict is generous to brahmans and sramanas.

Miljor Rock Edict IV It declares dhammaghosh and not the bherighosh to be the ideal of human beings.

Major Rock Edict V It mentions for the first time of dharma-mahamatras and expresses concern over public welfare policy regarding slaves and masters.

Major Rock Edict VI It speaks of well being of the people, and the king's desire to be informed constantly about the condition of the people.

Miljor Rock Edict VII It requests for tolerance for all religions.

Major Rock Edict VIII It speaks of the beginning of Dhammayatra and reports that the first Dhammayatra was for Bodh Gaya in the tenth year of Asoka's ruling.

Major Rock Edict IX It condemns various popular ceremonies.
Miljor Rock Edict X It condemns the desires for fame and glory, and calls for implementation of the policy of dhamma.

Major Rock Edict XI It elaborates dhamma and mentions its spread.
Miljor Rock Edict XII It makes a direct and determined
request for tolerance among different religious sects.
Miljor Rock Edict XIII It speaks of Asoka's annexation of Kalinga. It mentions Asoka's victory by dhamma over Greek kings, Antiochus, Ptolemy, Antigonus, Magas, Alexander and, in south India, over the Chola, Pandya, and Andhra kingdoms. It also mentions the atrocious Atwik tribe.

Miljor Rock Edict XIV It mentions the engraving of inscriptions by Asoka in different parts of the country.

Asoka engraved two separate rock edicts in place of XI, XII and XIII rock edicts. These separate rock edicts have been found at sites in Kalinga.

Separate Edict I (Dhauli and Jaugada) It is addressed to the mahamatras of Tosali and Samapa. Asoka declared' All people are my sons'.

Separate Edict II It is also addressed to the mahamatras of Tosali and Samapa. It provides for proclamation of the edict even to a single person.

Asoka's major rock edicts have been found at the following sites: Mansehra (Hazara), Shahbajgarhi (peshawar), Kalsi (Dehradun), Girnar Ounagarh), Sopara (Thana), Dhauli (Purl), Jougarh (Ganjam), Iragudo (Kuroool), Roopnath Oabalpur), Bairat Oaipur), Sasaram (Shahabad), Gavimatha, Palaki and Gundu- (Hyderabad), and Yerragudi (Chittal Durga).
The minor rock inscriptions, related to Asoka's faith in Buddhism, include the minor rock edicts, the Queen's edict, the Barabar cave inscriptions and Kandahar inscriptions.
Minor Rock Edict Carved by the engraver Capada, this edict speaks of Asoka becoming a more ardent follower of Buddhism.

The Queen's Edict It mentions Asoka's second queen, the mother of TIvala, Karuvaki.
Barabar Cave Inscription It mentions Asoka's giving away the Barabar cave to the Ajivika sect in the twelfth year of the King's consecration.
Kandahar Bilingual Rock Inscription Issued ten years after the adoption of dhamma policy by Asoka, it expresses satisfaction over the implementation of Asoka's policy.