RAS question
Which Mauryan emperor's edict mentions 'Dhamma' and has been found in Rajasthan at Bairath?
Correct answer: (C) Ashoka.
The Bhabru, or Bairath, edict, found at Bairath in Rajasthan, belongs to Mauryan emperor Ashoka and records his reverence for Dhamma and the Buddhist Sangha.
Explanation
The Bhabru, or Bairath, edict belongs to Mauryan emperor Ashoka and was found at Bairath in Jaipur district. It records Ashoka's reverence for Dhamma and the Buddhist Sangha, lists seven Buddhist texts, and is unique among his edicts in directly mentioning Buddhism. Captain Burt discovered it in 1840. Encyclopaedia Britannica notes that 3rd-century BCE rock inscriptions found near Bairat in north-central Rajasthan show that the area was under Ashoka. These details identify Ashoka, rather than Bindusara or Chandragupta Maurya, as the correct answer.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) No edict attributed to Bindusara has been discovered, whereas the Bhabru, or Bairath, edict belongs to Ashoka.
- (B) No edict attributed to Chandragupta Maurya has been discovered, whereas the Bairath evidence is tied to Ashoka.
- (D) Samprati's edicts have not been found in Rajasthan, whereas the Bhabru, or Bairath, edict was found at Bairath in Rajasthan.
Concept
Ashokan inscriptions are important historical evidence for understanding Mauryan-era Rajasthan. Evidence from Bairath connects Rajasthan's early history and archaeology with the broader Mauryan imperial and Buddhist context, making the topic important for RAS preparation.