Concept
Ashoka’s Dharma Edicts as State Ideology
Ashoka's inscriptions articulate a moral-ontological framework (dharma) guiding governance, welfare, and religious tolerance.
Indus / South AsianDetails
- Promoted ethical governance, non-violence, and public welfare within imperial administration.
- Institutionalized moral aims through edicts, officials (dhamma-mahamatras), and public communication.
Background
Ashoka (r. c. 268–232 BCE) of the Maurya dynasty had edicts inscribed on rocks and pillars across the subcontinent in Prakrit, Greek and Aramaic. They present a public ethic of dhamma (moral conduct, tolerance and welfare) and are among the earliest datable deciphered texts of South Asia.
About this entry
A draft entry preserved from civilization.study. Background paragraph added from public reference works. Evidence grade: medium. 3 of 3 listed sources are fully documented; the rest are names only. Method and sources
Notes
- Use to model translation from religious ontology to administrative practice.