Ashoka's welfare measures
Topic: The Mauryan Empire · NCERT: Class 7, Ch 5 "The Rise of Empires"
Meaning
Ashoka's welfare measures were the public works and kind policies he describes in his edicts. He says he arranged medical care for both people and animals, even beyond his empire. He banned hunting and cruelty to animals, and he stopped animal sacrifice in his capital. He had wells dug, rest houses built, and fruit and shade trees planted along main roads. These steps followed the Kautilyan idea that a king's duty is his people's welfare. Historians warn that not all of his claims should be taken literally.
Example
In his edicts (3rd century BCE), Ashoka says he provided medical care in the southern kingdoms of the Cholas, Pandyas, Keralaputras and Satiyaputras. These kingdoms lay outside his empire.
Don't confuse with
- Ashoka's dhamma: the moral code he preached, such as respect for elders and other religions. His welfare measures were practical works carried out by the state.
Related concepts
- Bindusara
- Ashoka
- Kalinga war
- Rock Edict XIII
- Kalinga edicts
- Dhauli
- Ashoka's dhamma
- Dhamma mahamatta
- Pativedaka
- Devanampiya