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The Ashoka Pillar, or the Ashok Stambh, is one of India’s most ancient relics and moral ethos, and stands out as one of the strongest symbols of pride for the country. These towering stone monuments etched with the teachings of Emperor Ashoka have not only stood the test of time but have also impacted India’s national identity. For instance, the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath is the National Emblem of India, which can be spotted on currency, official documents, and government establishments.
But what exactly are these pillars, what do they signify, and where is the Ashoka Pillar located in India today? Let’s explore the captivating history, importance, and the Ashoka Pillar monuments and their vast significance within the Indian subcontinent.
Pillars of Ashoka History
The Ashoka Pillars were built in the reign of Emperor Ashoka (268 -232 BCE), who was the third monarch of the Mauryan dynasty. After the bloody Kalinga War, Ashoka had some kind of a spiritual transformation and embraced Buddhism. A follower of Dhamma (righteous ‘way’), nonviolence, and tolerance, he underwent this transformation guided by Buddhist teachings.
In a bid to defend Buddhism and spread its teachings, Ashoka commissioned a series of stone pillars inscribed with teachings and moral codes. These Ashoka pillar monuments were not placed haphazardly but within strategic and sacred locations, including cities, trade routes, and pilgrimage centres.
Inscriptions And Architecture
Each ‘Ashok Stambh’ was polished to a smooth finish and was often not less than 12 and 15 meters (40-50 feet) tall. The more important ones baton with capital — an elaborate sculpture whose Dheels depict Ginlatulli lions, sith bulls, or even dharma elephants, all of which satisfied dharma. Each of them was meticulously carved from a single piece of sandstone.
Key Features:
- Material: Chunar sandstone from present-day Uttar Pradesh
- Height: Ranges from 12 to 15 meters
- Inscriptions: Written in Brahmi script, sometimes in Greek and Aramaic in northwestern regions
- Language: Prakrit
- Themes: Nonviolence, respect for elders, tolerance of other religions, and justice
These inscriptions are recognised as Ashoka’s Edicts and are regarded as one of the most ancient written documents of India.
Where Is the Ashoka Pillar Located in India?
It is believed that Ashoka constructed more than 30 pillars around the Indian subcontinent. Presently, most of these Ashoka pillar monuments have survived, in different states of preservation.
These are the most prominent Ashoka Pillar locations in India:
1. Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh – The National Emblem
- Why It’s Famous: Home to the Lion Capital of Ashoka, adopted as India’s national emblem.
- Significance: Marks the historic location where Gautam Buddha performed his first sermon.
- What to See: Four Asiatic lions facing each other; they stand for mighty, courageous, proud, and confident.
Probably the most prominent Ashoka pillar monument in India and an important Buddhist pilgrimage site, thousands travel from around the globe.
2. Delhi – Feroz Shah Kotla and Delhi Ridge
➤ Feroz Shah Kotla Ashoka Pillar
- Originally From: Topra (Haryana)
- Moved By: Sultan Feroz Shah Tughlaq in the 14th century
- Features: Inscribed polished sandstones of ethics and governance
➤ Delhi Ridge Pillar
- Originally From: Meerut
- Also moved By: Feroz Shah
- Current Location: North Delhi Ridge near Hindu Rao Hospital
These two Ashoka pillars in Delhi demonstrate the respect even medieval rulers paid to Ashoka.
3. Lauriya Nandangarh, Bihar
- Location: West Champaran district
- Significance: The monument is still standing in its original location
- Features: Polished monolith containing edicts of Brahmi inscriptions
- Nearby Sites: Nandangarh stupa, believed to contain relics of Buddha
This is the least altered and one of the best-preserved Ashoka pillar monuments in India.
4. Vaishali, Bihar
- Location: Near Kolhua
- What to see: A lion capital seated at the summit of a 20-meter-high pillar
- Significance: The site where Buddha gave his last sermon
This pillar is surrounded by ancient ruins and stupas, commemorating the Buddhist Ashoka Centre.
5. Allahabad (Prayagraj), Uttar Pradesh
- Unique Feature: Ashokan, Gupta, and Mughal inscriptions
- Location: Allahabad Fort
- Access: Accessed by the Indian Army, and the public has very limited access
The Ashoka Pillar is a fascinating archaeological bounty because of the multi-era inscriptions.
6. Rampurva, Bihar
- Discovery: Discovered during the building of the railways in the nineteenth century
- Notable Feature: Bull capital, now held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum, New Delhi
- Original Site: Indo-Nepal border area
Caps and other materials may be destroyed, but their history is preserved, and so the pillars are of immense importance.
7. Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh
- What to See: Pillar with skillfully engraved bell-shaped capital
- Nearby Attractions: Great Stupa of Sanchi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Significance: Major hub for Buddhism during the reign of Ashoka
The artistic genius of the stupas and the gateways surrounding it is so perfectly reflected in Sanchi’s Ashoka pillar, which makes it incredibly stunning.
8. Lauriya Areraj, Bihar
- Location: East Champaran
- Condition: Very well preserved
- Capital: Now lost, but the shaft stands fully intact
- Significance: Contains numerous Ashoka’s notable rock edicts
The significance of Bihar in Ashokan history, as Lauriya Nandangarh does, is accentuated by this site.
Symbolism and National Importance
The monument Ashok Stambh not only serves as a historical record of the past but also as a moral and cultural beacon of India. Lion Capital Sarnathi’s remains were adopted as the National Emblem of India on January 26, 1950, and is regarded as the mark of:
- Massive and strong
- Dharma and truth – Wheel of Ashoka Chakra
- Diversity in unity – The multiple lions facing different directions
India’s national flag features the Ashoka Chakra, which can be found on numerous Ashoka Pillar monuments, marking it as one of the most precious Indian symbols.
Also Read: Famous Forts in India You Must Visit
Conclusion
The Ashoka Pillars are more than just ancient stone relics; they stand as a reminder of an era when rulers sought to govern with moral fortitude and empathy. From Delhi’s ancient remnants to Bihar’s enduring legacy, these monuments symbolise peace and unity. These marvels of historical architecture are magnificent for any traveller, cultural enthusiasts, or even history buffs wanting to delve into India’s rich heritage and are often regarded as one of India’s most ancient spectacles.
