Age of the Nandas and Mauryas c11.s37.22

c11.s37.22

The second Rock-Edict details the arrangements made by Aśoka within his empire and beyond its borders for the convenience of man and beast ; they consisted primarily in the provision of medical treatment (*cikitsā*) and gardens of medicinal herbs (*oshadhini*) beneficial to both. This provision was made in the words of the Edict, ‘everywhere in the dominions of King Devānāmpriya Priyadarśin, and likewise among his borderers such as the Choḍas, the Pāṇḍyas, the Satiyaputa, the Ketala puta, even Tāmraparṇi, the Yona king Antiyoka, and also the kings who are the neighbours of this Antiyoka.’ The location of Satiyaputa has not yet been satisfactorily settled²; but Ketalaputa, for which we have Keralaputra in Mānsehrā, is doubtless the Malabar country. Besides medical aid being made available everywhere, wells with flights of steps leading to the water were caused to be dug at intervals of eight *kos* (nine miles) along the roads, and banyan trees and mango groves planted for the use of cattle and men ; and numerous drinking-places (*āpāna*) were also established in addition³.