Rock edicts of Khalsi, Archaeological inscription in Dehradun district, India
Rock edicts of Khalsi is a site featuring fourteen edicts carved into solid quartz stone, containing messages about governance and ethical principles from ancient times. The inscriptions cover the north and south faces of the rock, with the first twelve edicts displayed on the main side.
An ancient ruler commissioned these rock carvings around 250 BCE to spread messages about governance across the empire. The site was brought to scholarly attention by a British archaeologist around 1850, who documented its historical importance.
The inscriptions use Pali and Brahmi script, mentioning several Hellenistic kings and showing how political connections stretched across distant lands during ancient times. This evidence reveals the scope of diplomatic relations that existed then.
The site is located near Dehradun and best reached on foot, with the main approach via a cleared pathway. Visiting early in the morning or late afternoon works best, as lower sun angles make the carved text easier to read and photograph.
An elephant figure appears on the north face alongside the word Gajatama, a combination that scholars still debate and have never fully explained. This puzzling element remains one of the site's most intriguing unsolved mysteries.
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