The inscriptions of the Mauryan emperor Ashoka (reigned about 268 to 232 BCE), carved on rocks, pillars, and cave walls, that proclaim his policy of Dhamma (moral law) after the Kalinga war.
- Mostly in Prakrit language and Brahmi script; the north-west edicts use Kharosthi, and some use Aramaic and Greek (Shahbazgarhi, Mansehra, Kandahar).
- Major Rock Edict XIII records the Kalinga war (about 261 BCE) and Ashoka's remorse, the turning point towards Dhamma and non-violence.
- Classified as Major Rock Edicts, Minor Rock Edicts, Major Pillar Edicts, and Minor Pillar Edicts; the name "Ashoka" appears in the Maski and Gujarra minor edicts.
- The Brahmi script was first deciphered by James Prinsep in 1837, which identified "Devanampiya Piyadasi" as Ashoka.
- The Lion Capital of the Sarnath pillar is India's national emblem; the wheel on it inspired the Ashok Chakra on the national flag.
Edict-to-content matching, the Kalinga reference in Rock Edict XIII, the script and decipherer (Prinsep), and the Sarnath capital as national emblem are recurring facts.
Brahmi (most edicts) versus Kharosthi (north-west); James Prinsep deciphered Brahmi, not the still-undeciphered Harappan script.
Ashoka's rock and pillar inscriptions in Prakrit-Brahmi proclaiming Dhamma; Sarnath capital is India's emblem.