Reimagining Asoka

This volume explores on the material, social, and ideological aspects of Asoka's reign in light of advances made in archaeology, epigraphy, and numismatics. Thematically divided into three parts, the first to pillars and rocks, which bear his inscriptions. The second part examines the interconnectedness of the edicts, their monumentality, and the different concept of kingship t...

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This volume explores on the material, social, and ideological aspects of Asoka's reign in light of advances made in archaeology, epigraphy, and numismatics. Thematically divided into three parts, the first to pillars and rocks, which bear his inscriptions. The second part examines the interconnectedness of the edicts, their monumentality, and the different concept of kingship they conveyed. The third part analyses the making of the cultural memory of Asoka and raises pertinent questions crucial for understanding the relationship between the past and the present. The essays outline the importance of Asoka not only for the Indian nation-state but also for the entire Buddhist world of South and South-east Asia. Moving away from conventional periodization of Indian history, it raises important questions on the beginning of history and archaeology in the modern period. The book examines the extent to which nineteenth century initiatives have affected the study of Asoka and his reign. This book will be important for scholars and students of ancient Indian history, particularly those concerned with Asoka and the Mauryas. It will also interest archaeologists and scholars of Buddhist studies.

Patrick Olivelle is Professor, Department of Asian Studies, University of Texas, Austin. Previously, he was Professor, Department of Religious Studies, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

Janice Leoshko is Associate Professor, Department of Art and Art History and Associate Director of the Centre for Asian Studies, University of Texas, Austin.

Himanshu Prabha Ray is Profe...

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Patrick Olivelle is Professor, Department of Asian Studies, University of Texas, Austin. Previously, he was Professor, Department of Religious Studies, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

Janice Leoshko is Associate Professor, Department of Art and Art History and Associate Director of the Centre for Asian Studies, University of Texas, Austin.

Himanshu Prabha Ray is Professor, Centre for Historical Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University.

Preface
Introduction, Patrick Olivelle, Janice Leoshko, and Himanshu Prabha Ray
PROLEGOMENA
1. Asoka: A Retrospective, Romila Thapar
2. The Language of Composition and Transmission of the Asokan Inscriptions, R.K. Norman
PART I: EMERGENCE OF ASOKAN STUDIES
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Preface
Introduction, Patrick Olivelle, Janice Leoshko, and Himanshu Prabha Ray
PROLEGOMENA
1. Asoka: A Retrospective, Romila Thapar
2. The Language of Composition and Transmission of the Asokan Inscriptions, R.K. Norman
PART I: EMERGENCE OF ASOKAN STUDIES
3. Archaeology and Asoka: Defining the Empire, Himanshu Prabha Ray
4. From Kautilya to Kosambi and Beyond, Shailendra Bhandare
5. Bhagwanlal Indraj's Pioneering Contribution to Asokan Studies, Virchand Dharamsey
PART II: ASOKA AND HIS TIMES
6. Asoka's Inscriptions as Text and Ideology, Patrick Olivelle
7. The Composition of Asoka's Pillar Edict Series, Herman Tieken
8. Linguistic Experiments: Language and Identity in Asokan Inscriptions and Early Buddhist Texts, Oskar von Hinuber
9. The Fate of Asoka's Donations at Lumbini, Harry Falk
10. The Yona Era and the End of the Maurya Dynasty: Is There a Connection?, Richard Salomon
11. Mauryan Pillars of the Middle Ganga Plain in the Light of Archaeological Discoveries of Sarnath-Varanasi and Chunar, Vidhula Jayaswal
12. Environmental Change in North Bengal: An Opportunity for the Mauryas, Jean-Francois Salles
13. Is the Arthasastra a Mauryan Document?, Mark McClish
14. Asoka the Greek, Converted and Translated Grant Parker
PART III: ASOKA REIMAGINED
15. Asoka and Museums, Janice Leoshko
16. The Commingling of Gods and Human, the Unveiling of the World, and the Descent from Trayastrimsa Heaven: An Exegetical Exploration of the Connections of Minor Rock Edict I to Buddhist Legendary Literature, John Strong
17. Asoka: Model Ruler without Name? Literature of Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia, Max Deeg
18. On the Asoka-type Buddha Images Found in China, Chongfeng Li
19. Asoka: Historical Discourse and the Post-colonial Indian State, Bhagavan Josh
Notes on Contributors
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