Mod 7: Ashoka’s Edicts and Mauryan Art in Bihar — Sasaram, the Champaran Pillars, Barabar Caves, Didarganj Yakshi and the National Emblem
Concept
9.13 The inscriptions of Ashoka
🏫 School level · NCERT Class 6–12 History (the base for UPSC, BPSC, BSSC and other PSC exams)
Types, scripts and locations
Ashoka’s inscriptions are the first royal records in India that speak directly to the people. Most are in Prakrit and Brahmi script; in the north-west Kharosthi was used, and in Afghanistan Greek and Aramaic.
| Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| 14 Major Rock Edicts | Girnar, Kalsi, Shahbazgarhi, Mansehra, Dhauli, Jaugada, Erragudi, Sopara, Sannati |
| Separate Kalinga Edicts | Dhauli and Jaugada (replace RE XI–XIII) |
| Minor Rock Edicts | Sasaram, Rupnath, Bairat, Maski, Brahmagiri, Gujarra, Ahraura |
| 7 Pillar Edicts | All seven only on Delhi–Topra; PE I–VI at Lauriya Araraj, Lauriya Nandangarh, Rampurva, Delhi–Meerut, Allahabad |
| Minor Pillar Inscriptions | Rummindei (Lumbini, tax cut to 1/8), Nigali Sagar, Sarnath/Sanchi (schism), Allahabad Queen’s edict (Karuvaki) |
| Cave inscriptions | Barabar hills, Bihar — gifts to the Ajivikas |
The name “Ashoka” occurs in the Minor Rock Edicts at Maski (found 1915), Gujarra, Nittur and Udegolam. At Kanaganahalli (Karnataka) a stupa relief is labelled “Ranyo Ashoka” (King Ashoka) — a question asked in UPSC 2019.
- Brahmi/Prakrit; Kharosthi in NW; Greek & Aramaic at Kandahar.
- 14 RE, MRE, 7 PE (all only at Delhi–Topra); name “Ashoka” at Maski, Gujarra, Nittur, Udegolam.
- Question: Where is the only Ashokan rock edict in Bihar? Answer: Sasaram (Chandan Shahid hill, Rohtas).
MCQs
Answer this question, then use Next.
[School] Most of Ashoka’s inscriptions are written in the script:
[BPSC level] Ashokan edicts at Shahbazgarhi and Mansehra are in the script:
[UPSC level] A bilingual Greek–Aramaic edict of Ashoka was found at:
[BPSC level] All seven Pillar Edicts appear together only on the pillar of:
[UPSC level] The Rummindei pillar records that Ashoka reduced the tax of Lumbini to:
[BSSC pattern] The Queen’s Edict on the Allahabad pillar mentions queen:
Question 2: In which district of Bihar is the Ashokan Minor Rock Edict situated on the Chandan Shahid Hill?
[UPSC level] The Minor Rock Edict at Maski (Karnataka) is significant because:
One-liners
Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.
Where is the only Ashokan rock edict in Bihar?
Sasaram (Chandan Shahid hill, Rohtas).Concept
9.14 Mauryan Bihar on the ground
🏫 School level · NCERT Class 6–12 History (the base for UPSC, BPSC, BSSC and other PSC exams)
Edicts, pillars, caves and sculpture
| Site (district) | What is there |
|---|---|
| Sasaram — Chandan Shahid hill (Rohtas) | Minor Rock Edict I in Brahmi; only Ashokan rock edict in Bihar |
| Lauriya Araraj (East Champaran) | Plain pillar with PE I–VI; capital lost |
| Lauriya Nandangarh (West Champaran) | Pillar with PE I–VI and an intact single lion capital |
| Rampurva (West Champaran) | Two pillars: bull capital (now Rashtrapati Bhavan) and lion capital with PE I–VI (Indian Museum, Kolkata) |
| Kolhua, Vaishali | Uninscribed pillar with a lion facing north; stupa nearby |
| Barabar hills (Jehanabad) | Polished rock-cut caves: Sudama (12th year) and Karan Chaupar (19th year) for Ajivikas; Lomas Rishi with carved elephant façade |
| Nagarjuni hills | Gopika, Vahiyaka, Vadathika caves gifted by Dasharatha |
Court art: monolithic pillars of Chunar sandstone with a mirror-like polish, bell-shaped (lotus) capitals and animal tops; the Barabar caves. Popular art: yaksha–yakshi statues such as the Didarganj Yakshi (found 1917, Patna; now in Bihar Museum) and the Parkham Yaksha, plus terracottas.
The Sarnath Lion Capital was adopted as the State Emblem on 26 January 1950, with “Satyameva Jayate” (Mundaka Upanishad) below. Its 24-spoke wheel is on the national flag. A 6.5-metre bronze emblem on the roof of the new Parliament building was unveiled on 11 July 2022.
- Pillars: Lauriya Araraj, Lauriya Nandangarh (lion), Rampurva (bull + lion); Kolhua uninscribed.
- Barabar (Ajivikas, Lomas Rishi); Nagarjuni (Dasharatha); Didarganj Yakshi; emblem 26 Jan 1950.
- Question: Where is the Rampurva bull now? Answer: Rashtrapati Bhavan.
MCQs
Answer this question, then use Next.
[BPSC level] The intact single lion capital on an inscribed Ashokan pillar in Bihar is at:
[BPSC level] The Rampurva bull capital is now kept at:
[BSSC pattern] The Lauriya Araraj pillar is in the district of:
[UPSC level] The Kolhua pillar at Vaishali differs from the Champaran pillars because it:
[BPSC level] The Barabar caves were dedicated to the:
[UPSC level] The Barabar cave with a carved elephant frieze over its doorway, a model for later chaitya façades, is:
[BSSC pattern] The Nagarjuni caves were gifted by Ashoka’s grandson:
[School] Mauryan pillars were mostly made of polished:
[BPSC level] The Didarganj Yakshi is now displayed in:
One-liners
Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.
Where is the Rampurva bull now?
Rashtrapati Bhavan.Concept
🎯 UPSC · BPSC · BSSC · State PSC level: PYQs and traps
| Exam | What it asks from this module |
|---|---|
| UPSC | Kanaganahalli; scripts of edicts; Lomas Rishi |
| BPSC | Sasaram edict; Champaran pillars; Barabar caves |
| BSSC / SSC | National emblem; Didarganj Yakshi |
Which of the following sites has a relief sculpture that portrays Emperor Ashoka with the label “Ranyo Ashoka”? (a) Kanganahalli (b) Sanchi I (c) Shahbazgarhi (d) Sohgaura
- The Kanaganahalli stupa near Sannati in Kalaburagi district, Karnataka, has a portrait of Ashoka with his queens labelled “Ranyo Ashoka”.
- Bihar has one Ashokan rock edict (Sasaram) but three inscribed pillar sites (Lauriya Araraj, Lauriya Nandangarh, Rampurva).
- The Vaishali (Kolhua) pillar has no edict.
- The Rampurva bull is in Rashtrapati Bhavan; the Sarnath lions are in the Sarnath Museum.
- Kanaganahalli “Ranyo Ashoka” (UPSC 2019).
- Question: What is written below the State Emblem? Answer: Satyameva Jayate.
MCQs
Answer this question, then use Next.
[UPSC level] The relief labelled “Ranyo Ashoka” was found at:
[BSSC pattern] The State Emblem of India was adopted on:
[Current affairs 2022] The bronze national emblem atop the new Parliament building was unveiled on:
[BPSC level] How many places in Bihar have Ashokan rock edicts (not pillars)?
One-liners
Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.
What is written below the State Emblem?
Satyameva Jayate.