Ashokan Inscriptions And Legacy
Page 5 of 5
EXAMIVERSE
Exam-Oriented Q&A
Q1: What are the Major Pillar Edicts?
Answer: Seven pillar inscriptions in Brahmi that proclaim Ashoka’s moral and administrative codes.
Q2: Which languages and scripts did Ashoka use?
Answer: Mainly Prakrit in Brahmi; Greek and Aramaic versions in northwestern provinces.
Q3: Name two key themes of Ashoka’s edicts.
Answer: Non-violence (ahimsa) and tolerance of all sects.
Q4: How did Ashokan inscriptions unify the empire?
Answer: By broadcasting a common code of Dhamma in local languages and at major crossroads.
Q5: What modern symbols derive from Ashokan art?
Answer: The Lion Capital of Sarnath (national emblem) and the Ashoka Chakra on India’s flag.