Imagine you are citizen of the Mauryan
Empire and see these pillars along the road.

What do you observe? (consider size, material, shape, imagery, etc.)

What message do you think Ashoka is trying to communicate to the people?

What symbols are used and what do you think they represent?


Locate the capital city of Patiliputra.

Compare the location of Patiliputra to the location of the pillars and edicts.

Where are the major rock edicts located?

In what parts of South Asia are there very few edicts or pillars?

Why do you think Ashoka chose to place edicts and pillars where he did?

From the menu select The Power of Ideas.
Start playing with 7:53 left in the DVD
(at the right of the time bar)
Stop playing with 2:10 left in the DVD

As you watch, list the ways Ashoka used
Buddhist ideas such as compassion, dharma, and the Middle Way to maintain authority.

Why do you think India chose the symbol of the chakra or wheel to put on its flag when it became independent in
1947?

Before you start the video, The Edicts of
Ashoka, read the directions below .

As you watch, list the ways Ashoka used
Buddhist ideas such as compassion, dharma, and the Middle Way to maintain authority.

Why do you think India chose the symbol of the chakra or wheel to put on its flag when it became independent in
1947?

Pillar Group CFI

What is the basic message of each edict?

What do these edicts have in common?

How does this group of edicts reflect
Buddhist ideas such as compassion, dharma, and the Middle Way?

Pillar Group AEH

What is the basic message of each edict?

What do these edicts have in common?

How does this group of edicts reflect
Buddhist ideas such as compassion, dharma, and the Middle Way?

Pillar Group BDG

What is the basic message of each edict?

What do these edicts have in common?

How does this group of edicts reflect
Buddhist ideas such as compassion, dharma, and the Middle Way?

Name ______________________
Block ____ Date _____________
Ashoka’s Pillars
Directions: Follow the directions at each station
Use the space below to answer the questions.
Photo
Station
Map
Station
Video
Station
Pillar
Station #1
Pillar
Station #2
Pillar
Station #3
Homework: On a separate piece of paper, write a paragraph that answers the following questions:

How did these edicts help Ashoka maintain legitimacy in a pluralistic society?

Do you think these edicts were an effective way to lead? Why or why not?

Name ______________________
Block ____ Date _____________
Ashoka’s Pillars
Directions: Follow the directions at each station
Use the space below to answer the questions.
Photo
Station
Map
Station
Video
Station
Pillar
Station #1
Pillar
Station #2
Pillar
Station #3
Exit Ticket: Please write your answer on the back of this sheet and drop it in the box on your way out of class:
 How did Ashoka’s pillars and the edicts written on them help Ashoka maintain legitimacy in a pluralistic society?