Samrat Ashoka of Mauryan Empire was one of the greatest Emperors of India. Ashoka is called “The Great “ emperor because he renounced war as state policy voluntarily in the 3rd Century BC after the victory at the gruesome battle at Kalinga and instead adopted the policy of Dhamma ie policy of welfare of his subjects after conversion to Buddhism .... Being far ahead of his time Ashoka is fittingly called Ashoka the great.
King Ashoka (r. 268-232 BCE) used Rock Edicts to help rule his Empire. These Rock Edicts showed his adoption of Buddhist and Hindu principles, particularly by spreading his moral code he called the Dhamma. Ashoka’s edicts, inscribed on rocks and pillars were found in India and neighbouring countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nepal. In India rock inscriptions were found in Mount Girnar-Gujarat, Sopara-Maharashtra, Yerragudi-Andhra Pradesh, Dhauli and Jaugada in Odisha.
One such site of Rock Edicts is a place in Uttarakhand called Kalsi, the only place in north India where the great Mauryan emperor has inscribed the set of the fourteen rock edicts. The language of these edicts is Pali and the script Brahmi.
Kalsi is a small town located in between Chakrata and Dehradun near Dakpatthar on the banks of Yamuna river. It is 44 Km from state capital Dehradun. This charming village is located at a height of 780m and forms its boundary at the confluence of River Yamuna and Tons.
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