Ashoka’s Dhamma emphasised on non-violence and mutual respect. It encompassed a social and intellectual code of ethics. It focused on primacy of ethical behaviour and the recognition of the dignity of human life.

Ashoka was a patron of Buddhism therefore he used many symbols that are relevant in Buddhism as motifs in the Ashokan pillar. According to Buddhist tradition, Buddha entered his mother’s womb in the form of a white elephant.

The Maurya period is remarkable in the early history of the Indian subcontinent. Chandragupta Maurya was the first ruler who tried to consolidate small fragmented kingdoms and combined them to form the first empire of the Indian subcontinent.

The Mauryan art is believed to be inspired from Achaemenid or Persian influence. We can find a lot of similarities in terms of form and style in the inscriptions of Ashoka and the Persian king Darius.

Seven major pillar edicts have been found at Lauriya-Araraj, Lauriya Nandangarh, Rampurva, Nigali Sagar, Sarnath, Topra, and Meerut. Ashokan pillars probably signify the axis of the world (axis mundi) that separated heaven and earth.

The Sixth Pillar Edict of Asohka talks about welfare of people. The Ashokan pillars contain motifs which have a rich and varied symbolism in resonance with many prevailing Indian religious traditions.

The earliest Satavahana inscriptions belong to the 1st century BCE. In the 1st century BCE the Satavahana defeated the Kanvas and established their rule over parts of central India.

The Satavahanas dynasty is also known in history for starting the practice of giving royal grants of land. These royal grants were given to Brahmanas and Buddhist monks, including those associated with tax exemptions.

Though the Satavahanas made liberal sacrificial fees to the Brahmanas, they also promoted Buddhism. Some of the important Buddhist sites under the Satavahanas were Nagarjunakonda and Amravati in Andhra Pradesh and Nashik and Junar areas of Maharashtra.

The lowest level of administration during the Satavahana period was a grama or village. It was under the charge of a gaulmika or village headman. The village headman was also the head of a military regiment consisting of nine chariots, nine elephants, 25 horses and 45 foot soldiers.