Girnar Ashoka Rock Edicts - Archaeological site in Junagadh - Junagadh, India

Ashoka's Edicts are the inscriptions on rocks which were made during King Ashoka's ruling period. The rock edict is considered as the most important one among the many edicts of Ashoka. It is located on the Saurashtra peninsula of Junagadh in Gujarat. Since it is inscribed on the high mountain rocks of Girnar , the edict is not easily accessible by all. The inscription is in Brahmi script, which claims to be the oldest script that was used in India.

Amazing!!

If you are in junagath than visit this place.only a big stone to see there, except you are interested about knowing historical things.

The Edicts of Ashoka are a collection of more than thirty inscriptions on the pillars as well as boulders and cave walls, made by Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan Empire during his reign, from 268 BCE to 232 BCE. Ashoka used the expression Dhamma Lipi (Prakrit in the Brahmi script: , "Inscriptions of the Dharma") to describe his own Edicts. These inscriptions were dispersed throughout the areas of modern-day Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and provide the first tangible evidence of Buddhism. The edicts describe in detail Ashoka's view about dhamma, an earnest attempt to solve some of the problems that a complex society faced. According to the edicts, the extent of Buddhist proselytism during this period reached as far as the Mediterranean, and many Buddhist monuments were created. These inscriptions proclaim Ashoka's adherence to the Buddhist philosophy which, as in Hinduism, is called dharma, "Law". The inscriptions show his efforts to develop the Buddhist dharma throughout his kingdom. Although Buddhism as well as Gautama Buddha are mentioned, the edicts focus on social and moral precepts rather than specific religious practices or the philosophical dimension of Buddhism. These were located in public places and were meant for people to read. In these inscriptions, Ashoka refers to himself as "Beloved of the Gods" (Devanampiya). The identification of Devanampiya with Ashoka was confirmed by an inscription discovered in 1915 by C. Beadon, a British gold-mining engineer, at Maski, a village in Raichur district of Karnataka. Another minor rock edict, found at the village Gujarra in Datia district of Madhya Pradesh, also used the name of Ashoka together with his titles: "Devanampiya Piyadasi Asokaraja". The inscriptions found in the central and eastern part of India were written in Magadhi Prakrit using the Brahmi script, while Prakrit using the Kharoshthi script, Greek and Aramaic were used in the northwest. These edicts were deciphered by British archaeologist and historian James Prinsep. The inscriptions revolve around a few recurring themes: Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism, the description of his efforts to spread Buddhism, his moral and religious precepts, and his social and animal welfare program.The edicts were based on Ashoka's ideas on administration and behaviour of people towards one another and religion.

my first encounter with asoka's inscriptions. it has lived its life for over 2000 years and still crystal clear.. it's on roadside is it well protected?

Worth a brief visit for its historical significance.

PRECHRIST ERA, BUDDHIST STONE EDICT LAID HERE BY KING ASHOK, 3RD AND LAST EMPORER, GRAND SON OF FAMOUS EMPEROR CHANDRAGUPTA OF KINGDOM OF "MAGADH". AS IT'S IN VICINITY OF SEVERAL OTHER TOURIST PLACE WITHIN THE HILL RANGE OF MOUNT GIRNAR, YOU CAN VISIT ENROUTE. IT'S A PLACE OF INTEREST MAINLY FOR RESEARCHERS AND ACADAMACIONS AS SCRIPT CAN BE READ BY THEM ONLY.

Everyone should visit this place once as it situated in forest of Girnar Mountain of Junagadh... You can enjoy beauty of nature here