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During his reign, Emperor Ashoka issued numerous edicts. These he had carved on stone pillars and on the sides of large rocks throughout India. The edicts contain mainly moral advice. Historians have used, and continue to use, these statements to piece together what happened during Ashoka's reign because no official history was written. While Ashoka explains his reasons for the edicts, it is important to remember that they represent what Ashoka hoped was true, or what he wanted people to do and believe. They do not necessarily tell exactly what happened. Even so, they are an excellent source about Ashoka. Twelve years after my coronation, I ordered edicts on dharma to be inscribed for the welfare and happiness of the people.. [Edict VIJ Some
of the edicts have been inscribed again and again because of the charm of the teachings [and in hopes that] men may follow their direc
tions after hearing them repeatedly. [Rock Edict XIV] 1 k The edicts mention little about Ashoka's personal life, but one indicates that he "became enlightened 10 years after coronation" [Rock Edict VIII). Another tells about his reaction to the Kalinga campaign, and how it caused him to renounce war as...