Consider the following statements: The inscriptions on the pillar at

Consider the following statements:

The inscriptions on the pillar at Rummindei give vivid details of Ashoka’s Dhamma
The Nigalisagar inscription records the fact of Ashoka having visited the Konagamana stupa

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2016

The correct answer is 2 only.

Statement 1: The Rummindei pillar inscription of Ashoka records his visit to Lumbini (the birthplace of Gautama Buddha), his veneration of the site, and his decision to exempt the village of Lumbini from *bali* tax and reduce the *bhaga* tax (from one-eighth to one-sixth). It does not provide vivid details of Ashoka’s Dhamma; its focus is on his pilgrimage and associated tax concessions.
Statement 2: The Nigalisagar pillar inscription records that King Priyadasi (Ashoka) visited the Konagamana stupa and enlarged it for the second time. Konagamana was a past Buddha. This statement is factually correct based on the inscription.

Ashoka’s Dhamma is extensively described in his Major and Minor Rock Edicts and some other pillar inscriptions, which cover aspects like tolerance, non-violence, respect for elders, truthfulness, welfare measures, etc. The Rummindei and Nigalisagar inscriptions belong to the category of his pillar inscriptions related to pilgrimages and associated actions.

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