Pillar Edicts

Pillar Edicts are ancient stone inscriptions issued by Emperor Ashoka of India around 250 BCE, carved onto tall stone pillars. They serve as messages promoting moral values, justice, and spiritual wellbeing, and often include principles like non-violence and respect for all beings. These edicts were meant to communicate his policies and ethical guidelines to his subjects across the empire, emphasizing ethical governance and religious tolerance. The surviving pillars, such as the well-known Lion Capital of Ashoka, help us understand Ashoka's emphasis on moral leadership and the spread of Buddhism throughout India and beyond.