The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c10.s3.t5.11

c10.s3.t5.11

Similarly in the statement recorded in Pillar Edict V (c B. C. 243) that "in the period extending up to my twenty sixth coronation day I have twenty five times liberated the prisoners", one may read the gist of a law on the general pardon of convicts at coronation-anniversary.² Further, in the report about the growth in humanitarianism among Asoka's subjects we are told by this self-conscious emperor that the thing was unknown "for many hundred years past". Here then is to be detected a change of ancient customs brought about, although not exclusively perhaps, by definite commands of the state.