Major Pillar Edict
Major Pillar Edict I (Delhi -Mirath Version)
Discovery of Delhi–Mirath Harry Falk, Asokan Sites and Artefacts, 181–183 Discovery/ History: Major P.L. Pew in Prinsep 1837d: 795: “This very ancient Hindu pillar was dug out of some ruins near a boulee (baoli) or well, and was probably destroyed by the blowing up of a powder magazine which I understand once existed near the spot. It consists of five pieces, which when put together measure 32 ¾ feet long: the diameter of the largest piece is 3 feet 2 inches, and that of the small-est 2 ½ feet. The total weight 372 maunds. (...) Since the fragments of this column have only been recently disinterred from the mass of ruin, evidently Hindu, where they had reposed in silence and darkness for ages.” Cunningham 1871i: 168: “According to popular belief, this pillar was thrown down by an accidental explosion of a powder magazine in the time of Farokhsir, who reigned from A.D. 1713 to 1719.” According to the report in the Ta’rikh-i Fīrūz-Shāhi by Shams-i-Sirāj Afif (Lewis 1850: 29) the pillar stood “near Meerut”, or “in the vicinity of Kusbah Meerut” (Cope/Lewis 1850: 73). Mīrath (UP) is sit-uated at 77°45’ E and 29°01’ N. Shams-i-Sirāj Afif’s report, at least that part of it that concerns…
1 . . . . . . . . . . [naṁ] dhamṁen[a] v[i]dh[āne] 2 dha[me] . . . . . . . . . . Translation (A) For (their) instruction (is) this, viz. to protect according to morality, to dispose according to morality, to cause pleasure according to morality, (and) to guard (their speech) according to morality.
