Mauryan Art and Architecture: Pillars

Pillar inscriptions became significant during the Ashoka period.
Uses of pillars.
- As a symbol of the State or to commemorate battle victories.
- Also used to propagate imperial sermons as well.
The material used to build the pillars was chunar sandstone.
Parts of the pillars
- The shaft formed the base and was made up of a single piece of stone or monolith.
- On top of it lay the capital, which was either lotus-shaped or bell-shaped and was influenced by Iranian pillars.
- Above it, there was a circular or rectangular base known as the abacus on which an animal figure was placed.

The abacus and the animal part of the Sarnath pillar form the official national emblem of India.
Four animals are shown representing four directions.

Animals	Direction	Representation
Galloping horse	west	The horse named Kanthaka, which Buddha is said to have used for leaving his princely life.
Elephant	east	Elephant depicts the dream of Queen Maya, where a white elephant is seen entering her womb.
Bull	south	Bull depicts the zodiac sign of Taurus, the month in which Buddha was born.
Lion	north	Lion shows the attainment of enlightenment.

The four Lions symbolize Buddha spreading Dhamma in all directions.
It was built in commemoration of the first sermon by Buddha known as Dharmachakrapravartana.

Features	Ashoka Pillar	Achamenian Pillar (Persian Pillar)
Material	Chunar sandstone	Polished stones
Architecture	Simple and independent free standing monument	Associated with larger architectural schemes, complex architecture.
Shaft	Monolithic stone shaft	Multiple segments of stones
Polishing	Smooth polish	Fluted/ridged
Objective	Spread Dhamma and court orders in the entire Mauryan empire	Artistic and architectural significance
Language	Pali and Prakrit, few in Aramaic and Greek	Old Persian, Babylonian
Shape and ornamentation	Use of lotus

Edict	Ashokan Inscription Details
Pillar Edict I	Ashoka’s principle of protecting his people.
Pillar Edict II	Dhamma
Pillar Edict III	Avoiding practices of cruelty, sin, harshness, pride and anger among his subjects.
Pillar Edict IV	Responsibilities of the Rajukas.
Pillar Edict V	List of animals and birds that should not be killed on certain days. Another list mentions animals that should never be killed.
Pillar Edict VI	Dhamma policy of the State.
Pillar Edict VII	Ashoka’s work for fulfilling Dhamma. Tolerance for all sects.

Edict	Ashokan Inscription Details
Major Rock Edict I	Prohibits animal slaughter and bans festive gathering.
Major Rock Edict II	Care for man and animals. Mentions the Pandyas, Satyaputras and Kerala Putras of South India.
Major Rock Edict III	Generosity to Brahmins. About Yuktas, Pradeshikas and Rajukas who would go every five years to different parts of his empire to spread Dhamma.
Major Rock Edict IV	Dhammaghosha (sound of Dhamma/righteousness) over Bherighosha (sound of war).
Major Rock Edict V	About Dhamma Mahamatras. Talks about treating slaves right.
Major Rock Edict VI	King’s desire to know about his people’s conditions. About welfare measures.
Major Rock Edict VII	Tolerance for all religions.
Major Rock Edict VIII	Ashoka’s first visit to Bodh Gaya and the Bodhi tree (his first Dhamma Yatra).
Major Rock Edict IX	Condemns popular ceremonies.
Major Rock Edict X	Disapproves of the individual’s desire for fame and glory and stresses on Dhamma.
Major Rock Edict XI	Elaborates on Dhamma.
Major Rock Edict XII	Tolerance for all religions and sects.
Major Rock Edict XIII	Mentions victory over Kalinga. Mentions Ashoka’s Dhamma victory over Greek Kings Antiochus of Syria (Amtiyoko), Ptolemy of Egypt (Turamaye), Magas of Cyrene (Maka), Antigonus of Macedon (Amtikini), Alexander of Epirus (Alikasudaro). Also mentions Pandyas, Cholas, etc.
Major Rock Edict XIV	Engraving of inscriptions installed in various parts of the country.