The ‘Dhamma’, propagated by Ashoka, was

Ashoka's 'Dhamma' was not a specific religious faith or the formal tenets of Buddhism, but rather a universal code of social and ethical conduct [3]. While Ashoka was personally a Buddhist, his policy of Dhamma was designed to be a non-sectarian system of morals consistent with the tenets of most sects of the time, including Brahmans, Ajivikas, and Jains [2]. The edicts emphasize generalized norms such as non-violence, tolerance, and respect for elders and slaves, which were intended to foster social cohesion across a diverse empire. Scholars like R.K. Mukherjee and Romila Thapar argue that it was a code of conduct necessary for all castes and religions rather than a state-imposed religious policy [3]. By promoting these shared ethical values, Ashoka sought to create a paternalistic basis for imperial legitimacy and harmony among his subjects [1].

Sources

1. [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashoka%27s_policy_of_Dhamma
2. [2] Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: The Rise of Empires > Questions and activities > p. 115
3. [1] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 4: Emergence of State and Empire > Ashoka's Dharmic State > p. 55