Indian Epigraphy c17.20

c17.20

For a student of Asokan records, it is difficult to believe that the Maurya emperor engraved his edicts on stone bowls. In the first place, Asoka speaks of the incision of his records only on *parvata* (Rupnath and Sahasram), *śilā-stambha* (Rupnath, Sahasram and Delhi-Topra VII) and *śilā-phalaka* (Delhi-Topra VII) and never on stone bowls or any such thing. Secondly, Asoka often refers to the purpose for which his edicts were engraved, viz. that they would be everlasting and that his officers, subjects and successors should hear them read so as to enable them to follow his instructions in regard to *Dharma*.³