Consider the following statements about Ashokan rock edicts : 1. Major Rock Edict XIII records Ashoka’s remorse at the sufferings caused by his Kalinga campaign. 2. Major Rock Edict X records Ashoka’s visit to Lumbini. 3. Major Rock Edict XII refers to Dhamma Mahamattas as a new category of officers instituted by Ashoka. 4. Major Rock Edict XII speaks about showing tolerance towards all sects. Which of the statements given above are correct ?

Statement 1 is correct as Major Rock Edict XIII explicitly records Ashoka’s remorse and the suffering caused by the Kalinga campaign [2]. Statement 2 is incorrect; Major Rock Edict X focuses on the king's desire to abandon individual fame and glory, while his visit to Lumbini is recorded in the Rummindei Minor Pillar Inscription. Statement 3 is incorrect because, although Major Rock Edict XII mentions various officials, the institution of Dhamma Mahamattas as a new category of officers is specifically recorded in Major Rock Edict V. Statement 4 is correct as Major Rock Edict XII is the primary edict advocating for religious tolerance and mutual respect among all sects. Therefore, only statements 1 and 4 are accurate descriptions of the content of the Major Rock Edicts.

Sources

1. [1] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 4: Emergence of State and Empire > Edicts of Ashoka > p. 52
2. [2] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 4: Emergence of State and Empire > Ashoka's Dharmic State > p. 57