The Yerragudi Copy of Asoka’s Minor Rock Edict

Summary

This epigraphic study examines a copy of Aśoka’s Minor Rock Edict found at Yerragudi in Andhra Pradesh. The author first provides a transliteration of the Prakrit inscription and compares it with versions discovered at other sites, such as Bahapur and Mārkanḍī. Differences in wording and orthography are meticulously tabulated, revealing regional variations in the dissemination of royal messages. The edict exhorts monks and laymen to study the Dharma regularly and emphasises virtues like compassion, self‑control and moderation in eating. The article discusses palaeographic features of the Brahmi script at Yerragudi and suggests a date around the third century BCE. It also explores the historical context of the edict’s promulgation, noting that Aśoka issued these minor edicts to supplement the major rock edicts by providing practical ethical instructions. By analysing the Yerragudi copy, the author highlights the administrative reach of the Mauryan empire and the ways in which official proclamations were adapted for local audiences.