The Role of Art in Ashoka’s Magadh
How Ashoka’s Pillars were used to create Cultural Change
Art is purposeful manipulation. Leaders have and always will utilize this power tool which appeals to the most powerful persuasion receptor in the human psyche — Pathos. Ashoka the Great, Emperor of Magadh, was a major patron of the tool of rule. He used art to impose cultural change.
Vaishali, India, is home to an Ashokan Pillar. The artifact stands vertical and tall, capped with a lion perched atop a beautiful pedestal. Vertical lines invoke authority, and integrity which are magnified further by the height of the structure. Perched atop is a ferocious apex predator, a symbolic representation of power which has persisted throughout human history. The position of the lion is also important as it sits on its hind legs; thus, its body follows the vertical lines. If it were standing or siting on all fours, then it would follow horizontal lines which invoke calmness and relaxation. However, this piece of art is purposefully designed to invoke the Ashoka’s power and authority. Thus, the use of a pillar topped by a lion which appears in a vertical position.
Now that Ashoka’s pillar has successfully established a sense of authority and integrity through its use of vertical lines, the message scribed on it holds a certain gravity. There are seven such surviving pillar edicts. However, the Second Pillar Edict is the one which contains a line which shows the intent of Ashoka.
“ I have had this inscription of Dhamma engraved that men may conform to it and that it may endure. He who conforms will do well.”
Ashoka wants people to conform to the ideas expressed in the many edicts, and teachings promoted by his Rajukas (Rural Officer.) In fact, the Fourth Pillar Edict contains words which explain the authority of the Rajukas.
“In judgment and punishment I have given them independent authority, so that the rajukas may fulfill their functions calmly and fearlessly and may promote the welfare and happiness of the country people and benefit them. They will learn what makes for happiness and unhappiness ,and together with those devoted to Dhamma, they will admonish the country people that they may obtain happiness in this world and the next”
Ashoka was the most powerful person on the subcontinent and he had converted to the teachings of the Buddha which were still in their early years (Karen.) He wanted to preserve and promote these teachings, and insure that his rule is protected from a populist uprising which may use his beliefs — which differed from the mainstream — as a justification to diminish him. Thus, he pushed for cultural change and art became one tool for this purpose.
His pillars promote specific rules which are derived from his newfound beliefs. An example can be seen on the Fifth Pillar edict which bans the killing of specific animals(katinkahesselink.net.) The pillars also ask those who have attained Dhamma, along with rajukas and other officers of the Empire to actively promote Dhamma. The evidence clearly shows that Ashoka has launched a campaign for cultural change throughout his empire.
The Pillars of Ashoka are just one example of the Emperor’s use of art to bring about cultural change. Ashoka was the man who who ruled Magadh at its peak, when the Empire spanned farther than any on the subcontinent, thanks to significant contributions from him. However, for him to suddenly change and then risk it all on bringing about a cultural revolution is a captivating story from history. Often history is glorified or romanticized, but sometimes reality is much more compelling.
Sources
Shelby, Karen. “The Pillars of Ashoka (Article) | South Asia.” Khan Academy, Khan Academy, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/art-asia/south-asia/x97ec695a:art-magadha/a/the-pillars-of-ashoka.
katinkahesselink.net. “A Translation of the Edicts of Asoka.” A Translation of the Edics of Asoka (Part II) — Buddha’s World, Katinkahesselink.net, 1999, www.katinkahesselink.net/tibet/asoka1b.html#1st_Pilla.
