Dhauli Ashokan Rock Edicts

The Dhauli Ashokan Rock Edicts are a set of ancient inscriptions located on Dhauli Hills, about 8 km south of Bhubaneswar in Odisha, on the banks of the Daya River. Carved in the 3rd century BCE by Emperor Ashoka after the Kalinga War, the edicts are inscribed in Prakrit using Brahmi script and include a sculpted elephant. The site is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India and forms part of the Dhauli heritage complex near the Shanti Stupa.

Visitors can expect an open-air heritage site on Dhauli Hills with ancient rock-cut edicts protected within enclosures. The main attraction is a large rock inscribed with Ashokan edicts and a rock-cut sculpture of an elephant facing the inscriptions. The site is set on a low hill with views of the Daya River plains, surrounded by landscaped grounds, information panels, and pathways. The nearby Dhauli Shanti Stupa (Peace Pagoda) is visible on the hilltop and is often visited together.

The edicts were created in the 3rd century BCE by Mauryan Emperor Ashoka following the Kalinga War in 261 BCE. After the war, Ashoka embraced Buddhism and had his principles of Dhamma inscribed on rocks and pillars across his empire. The Dhauli edicts include two special Kalinga Edicts and are among the earliest written records in India, inscribed in Prakrit language using Brahmi script, conveying messages of non-violence, tolerance and welfare.

The site is an important Buddhist heritage site marking Ashoka's transformation and his propagation of Dhamma. The elephant sculpture symbolizes Buddhism and is revered by visitors. Dhauli Hills is regarded as a place of peace and is closely associated with the modern Shanti Stupa built nearby, making it a significant pilgrimage and cultural site for Buddhists and heritage visitors.