Context
Recently, the Madhya Pradesh government began fresh excavations at Vaishya Tekri, Ujjain, to investigate Buddhist remains potentially associated with Emperor Ashoka and the Mauryan period. The site may provide further evidence about ancient Ujjain’s Buddhist and Mauryan connections.
Explanation
- Ashoka (c. 268–232 BCE) was the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya and son of Bindusara; according to tradition, he served at Ujjain before becoming emperor.
- Ujjain was the capital of Avanti, located on the Shipra River, and an important trade centre.
- Ashoka’s Kalinga War profoundly influenced his policy of Dhamma, emphasising compassion, tolerance, non-violence and welfare.
- His ideas are known mainly through Major Rock Edicts, Minor Rock Edicts and Pillar Edicts, generally written in Prakrit using Brahmi script.
- In the northwest, some inscriptions used Kharosthi, while Greek and Aramaic inscriptions are also known.
- Ashoka appointed Dhamma Mahamattas to promote Dhamma and public welfare.
- His 13th Major Rock Edict describes the Kalinga War and Ashoka’s remorse.
- Rummindei Pillar inscription identifies Lumbini as Buddha’s birthplace; the Maski inscription explicitly mentions the name Ashoka.
- Ashoka patronised Buddhism and stupas, while his Dhamma was broader than Buddhism.
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Vaishya Tekri Excavations: Tracing Ashoka’s Ujjain Legacy