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Q87 (CDS-II/2012) History & Culture › Ancient India › Ashokan edicts and Dhamma Answer Verified

The ‘Dhamma’, propagated by Ashoka, was

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: C
Explanation

Ashoka's 'Dhamma' was not a specific religious faith or the formal tenets of Buddhism, but rather a universal code of social and ethical conduct [3]. While Ashoka was personally a Buddhist, his policy of Dhamma was designed to be a non-sectarian system of morals consistent with the tenets of most sects of the time, including Brahmans, Ajivikas, and Jains [2]. The edicts emphasize generalized norms such as non-violence, tolerance, and respect for elders and slaves, which were intended to foster social cohesion across a diverse empire. Scholars like R.K. Mukherjee and Romila Thapar argue that it was a code of conduct necessary for all castes and religions rather than a state-imposed religious policy [3]. By promoting these shared ethical values, Ashoka sought to create a paternalistic basis for imperial legitimacy and harmony among his subjects [1].

Sources

  1. [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashoka%27s_policy_of_Dhamma
  2. [2] Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: The Rise of Empires > Questions and activities > p. 115
  3. [1] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 4: Emergence of State and Empire > Ashoka's Dharmic State > p. 55
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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

CDS-II · 2019 · Q79 Relevance score: 2.07

Consider the following state- ments : I. According to Mahavamsa, Ashoka turned to the Buddha's dhamma when his nephew Nigrodha preached the doctrine to him. 2. Dlayavadana ascribes Ashoka being drawn to the Buddha's teaching to the influence of Samudra, a merchant-turned monk. 3. Dipavamsa speaks of Samudra, the 12-year-old son of a merchant. as the key figure in Ashoka's coming under the Influence of the Buddhist dhamma. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

NDA-I · 2021 · Q27 Relevance score: 0.15

Which one of the following was not a part of the dhamma of King Ashoka?

CDS-I · 2016 · Q113 Relevance score: 0.04

Consider the following statements : 1. The inscriptions on the pillar at Rummindei give vivid details of Ashoka’s Dhamma 2. The Nigalisagar inscription records the fact of Ashoka having visited the Konagamana stupa Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

CDS-I · 2022 · Q83 Relevance score: -0.24

Consider the following statements about Ashoka’s faith in Buddhism : 1. Rummindei Pillar Inscription and Nigali Sagar Pillar Inscription provide clear evidence of Ashoka’s faith in Buddhism. 2. Minor Rock Edict-I gives evidence of a sudden change in Ashoka’s faith in Buddhism. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

CAPF · 2013 · Q123 Relevance score: -0.35

Statement I : Ashoka called the Third Buddhist Council in 252 BC at Pataliputra and it was there that the Buddhist Church became divided into two sects—the Hinayana and the Mahayana. Statement I : Kanishka called the Fourth Buddhist Council at Kundalvana near Srinagar and Vasumitra was believed to have acted as President.