One of the most famous ruler known from Buddhist texts and the first ever ruler to propagate the principles of 'Dhamma' was :
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Asoka
Asoka, one of the most famous rulers known from Buddhist texts, was the first ruler to inscribe his messages on stone and used these inscriptions to proclaim dhamma.
NCERT (2026-27): “1. Prinsep and Piyadassi … Some of the most momentous developments in Indian epigraphy took place in the 1830s. This was when James Prinsep, an officer in the mint of the East India Company, deciphered Brahmi and Kharosthi, two scripts used in the earliest inscriptions and coins. He found that most of these mentioned a king referred to as Piyadassi – meaning ‘pleasant to behold’; there were a few inscriptions which also referred to the king as Asoka, one of the most famous rulers known from Buddhist texts.… 3.1 Finding out about the Mauryas … Asoka was the first ruler who inscribed his messages to his subjects and officials on stone surfaces – natural rocks as well as polished pillars. He used the inscriptions to proclaim what he understood to be dhamma.…” |