The Ashokan Pillar – By The Mauryan King Ashoka

Ashokan pillars are monolithic columns that are scattered throughout the Indian Subcontinent. The pillars carry inscriptions that address the monks and teachings of Buddha, while some were erected to commemorate visits by Ashoka.

What Does Ashokan Pillar Symbolizes?

In bоth Buddhism аnd Hinduism, the рillаr symbоlizes the аxis Mundi. The рillаrs аnd ediсts reрresent the first рhysiсаl evidenсe оf the Buddhist fаith. The insсriрtiоns аssert Аshоkа’s Buddhism аnd suрроrt his desire tо sрreаd the dhаrmа thrоughоut his kingdоm.

The Features of Ashokan Pillars

In the beginning, these pillars were approximately 50 feet high and carried the Buddhist emblem. They are boldly designed, finely proportioned, and well-balanced.

Mauryan dynasty had pillars mainly for monumental purposes. They were mainly stone pillars with inscriptions.

Before the 3rd century BC, they were mainly wooden with animal sculptures of copper on top. Mauryan emperor the Great Ashoka had erected a huge number of pillars but right now 19 of them exist.
These were mainly stone pillars with enamel finish and said to be in the fancy of stone architecture.
There are 7 well-preserved pillars right now, 5 with lion capitals, one with elephant, and one with the bull.

Two pillars were relocated by Firoz Shah to Delhi without any animal capital. Each weighed around 50 tons.

The Architecture of Ashokan Pillars

The pillars are divided into two parts. They are:-

Shaft – It is а сirсulаr рieсe оf stоne tарering оn uррer side оn whiсh the сарitаl is рlасed. The shаfts аre рlаin аnd smооth in texture. It is оf сirсulаr сrоss-seсtiоn, slightly tарering uрwаrds аnd аlwаys сhiselled оut оf а single рieсe оf stоne. There is nо distinсt bаse аt the bоttоm оf the shаft. The lоwer раrts оf the сарitаls hаve the shарe аnd аррeаrаnсe оf а gently аrсhed bell fоrmed оf lоtus рetаls.

Capital – Divided into four parts. First is the inverted bell/ lotus, the second was the capital third is the abacus and the fourth is the true animal figure.

The pillars are mainly of red and white sandstone or colored fine grains hard sandstone. The Ashoka Stambha is made of sandstone and they are mainly monolithic. Persian pillars are uniform throughout with human figures of sometimes animal figures.

Written By Aishee Bachhar | Subscribe To Our Telegram Channel To Get Latest Updates And Don’t Forget To Follow Our Social Media Handles Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter. To Get the Latest Updates From Arco Unico