Edicts of Ashoka
Label : Top Attraction
Tags : Monument
Timings : 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Time Required : 1-2 hrs
Entry Fee : Indian Tourists: INR 5,
Foreign Tourists: INR 100
Edicts of Ashoka, Junagadh Overview
The Edicts of Ashoka is a site featuring an inscription of fourteen edicts issued by Emperor Ashoka, carved onto a large boulder along the route to Mount Girnar. Located within 2 km of Uparkot Fort, the site offers a glimpse into ancient Mauryan-era governance and is a popular stop for history enthusiasts.
Dating back to 250 BC, there are 14 Edicts of Ashoka inscribed in large granite stones at the Western end of India. The edicts are written in Brahmi script preaching the ideas of love, peace, and tolerance, and apply to persons of any faith, not just Buddhism. The scriptures were carved into stone by an iron pen, and enclose knowledge of significant historical importance. Today, the rock edicts are protected by a modern white building, guarding the age-old wisdom in its original form.
Ashoka's rock edicts are an off the beaten track tourist spot, which would be mainly of interest to history buffs. The edicts are a gem from the past, symbolic of ancient wisdom and virtues that form the foundation of India which makes it a must-visit for almost every Indian as well as any enthusiast who truly wishes to absorb the knowledge legacy of India.
Read More on Edicts of Ashoka
History of Edicts of Ashoka
To preserve this timeless piece of history, the Nawab Rasool Khan of Junagadh State constructed a protective structure around the rocks in 1900. The building was repaired in the years 1939 and 1941 by local rulers, until its most recent collapse in 2014. A smaller version of the Ashokan Edicts has been showcased outside the National Museum in Delhi.
Inscriptions at Ashoka's Rock Edicts
The Ashokan edicts were a gateway for the British to understand the historical legacy of India. A well-known British scholar, James Princep, first discovered edicts carved on stone in the state of Orissa and spent years trying to decode the script. It was only after another British historian Colonel James Todd uncovered a similar inscription in Junagadh that Princep was finally able to crack the code. Through his research, Princep not only proved the story of King Ashoka but also pioneered the line of work that led to the development of nine stages behind the Devnagiri script. Nowadays, the Devanagari script is said to have been born out of three distinct stages -
1. Ashoka Brahmi - the original script
2. Gupta Brahmi - a slightly undeveloped cut through the script
3. Kutila - the rounded script from which Devnagiri was derived
The 14 Edicts of Ashoka of Junagadh are uneven rock structures, about seven meters wide and ten meters in height. James Todd, who found the Ashokan Edicts, said the following about his discovery:
"The memorial in question, evidently of some great conqueror, is a huge hemispherical mass of dark granite, which like a wart upon the body has protruded through the crust of mother earth, without fissure or inequality, and which by the aid of 'iron pen', has been converted into a book. The measurement of the arc is nearly ninety feet; its surface is divided into compartments or parallelograms, within which are inscriptions in the usual character."
Sightseeing at Edicts Of Ashoka
Best Time To Visit Edicts of Ashoka
Tips For Visiting Edicts of Ashoka
2. Sports shoes may be the most comfortable for traversing this area.
3. Carry binoculars and a camera for getting the best out of the experience.
