Ashoka's Piller & Social Life - General Knowledge of Ancient History: Main topic, Place Of Education, Personal Life, Mauryan Art, Art And Design, Cave, Influence Of Greek Art.
Ashoka's Piller & Social Life
Many changes were seen in the social condition of India during the reign of Ashoka. There were many sects like Brahmin, Shravan, Aajivaka etc. But from the side of the state everyone was treated fairly and everyone was instructed to learn to be tolerant in the matters of religion, respect the truth etc. Many sadhus also used to put their full energy in how to do good to the country and the society. Sometimes it was also seen that the princes and princesses themselves were going to distant countries and propagating religion. The religious outlook of the people was liberal and sometimes even foreigners were converted into Hindus by giving them education, which people gladly accepted.
Social Life
Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras were happy and virtuous during the reign of Ashoka. People had compassion for relatives, friends, servants and animals too. The practices of child-marriage and polygamy were also there during the time of Ashoka. Ashoka himself had many queens. Ashok was married at the age of 18 and his sister was married at the age of 14. The practice of non-vegetarian food was decreasing during the time of Ashoka.
More General Knowledge of Ancient History
Place Of Education
A Greek was initiated into Hinduism and was named Dharmarakshit. Ashoka got his teachings engraved on the pillars in colloquial language. On the other hand, there were many monasteries and schools in the period of Ashika. It is known from this that there was a good spread of education at that time. Historian Smith says something about the place of education in the time of Ashoka - "According to me, the percentage of educated people in the Buddhist population of Ashoka's time was much higher than in many provinces of modern British India."
Mauryan Art
Ashoka built many cities, stupas, viharas and monasteries. Pillars were installed at many places. He established Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir and he established another city in Nepal. Ashoka is said to have gone there with his daughter Charumati and her husband Devpal. Ashoka's palace was so beautiful that after about 900 years, when the Chinese traveler Fahyan came to India, he was amazed to see it. He could not believe that the palace was made by human hands. He was mesmerized after seeing his painting and stone carving.
Ashoka Pillar
Many buildings built by Ashoka have now been destroyed, but the Stupa of Sanchi (located in Bhopal) and Stupa of Bharhut (at some distance from Allahabad) are still protecting his memory. Ashoka got many pillars erected which are found in different parts of the country. Of these, the pillars of Sanchi, Prayag, Sarnath and Lauria Nandan-Garh are more famous. There are statues of lions on some of these pillars.
Art And Design
In 1356 AD, the Ashoka Pillar of Delhi was lifted and installed from a village named Firoz Shah Tughlaq Topra (situated in Meerut district). It is a beautiful specimen of the architecture of that period. Its texture and luster is very beautiful. The skill shown by the engineers of that period in lifting and erecting this pillar is also commendable. Sir John Marshall says that the pictures of animals carved on the rock-pillars of Sarnath are of very high quality both in terms of art and style. Such a beautiful stone carving has never been done in India, nor is there anything similar to it found in the ancient world.
Caves
There are also some such caves of Ashoka on which the articles of Ashoka are inscribed. There are a total of seven such caves and they are situated in the hills of Barabar near Gaya. There is a bright polish on them from the Mauryan period. The walls and ceilings shine like glass. The artisans of the Mauryan period also knew a lot about the work of jewelers. They cut and polished stones with great skill and success.
Influence Of Greek Art
Some scholars are of the opinion that Greek and Iranian art has had influence on Maurya-era art. But there is no reliable proof of this statement. It is certain that many foreigners came to India during that period and settled here. Ashoka had established close relations with the countries of the West. It is possible that the art of those countries has influenced the art here.
Tags
Ancient History