In the Khyber valley of Northern Pakistan, three large boulders sit atop a hill commanding a beautiful prospect of the city of Mansehra. A low brick wall surrounds these boulders; a simple roof, mounted on four brick pillars, protects the rock faces from wind and rain. This structure preserves for posterity the words inscribed there: ‘Doing good is hard – Even beginning to do good is hard.’
The words are those of Ashoka Maurya, an Indian emperor who, from 268 to 234 BCE, ruled one of the largest and most cosmopolitan empires in South Asia.
Thanks for posting this, it was an interesting read! I am assuming the author is referring to The Pillars of Ashoka (based on the rest of the article). I found it funny being referred to as...
Thanks for posting this, it was an interesting read!
These words come from the opening lines of the fifth of 14 of Ashoka’s so-called ‘major rock edicts’
I am assuming the author is referring to The Pillars of Ashoka (based on the rest of the article). I found it funny being referred to as Ashoka's 'major rock edicts' (unless I am conflating different things).
The article talks about replacing the Chakra with Ashoka's chakra on the Indian flag. I would like to note that The State Emblem of India is actually based on one of Ashoka's Pillar as well.
Thanks for posting this, it was an interesting read!
I am assuming the author is referring to The Pillars of Ashoka (based on the rest of the article). I found it funny being referred to as Ashoka's 'major rock edicts' (unless I am conflating different things).
The article talks about replacing the Chakra with Ashoka's chakra on the Indian flag. I would like to note that The State Emblem of India is actually based on one of Ashoka's Pillar as well.