---
title: Ashokan Pillar Base, Sarnath
author: Anindita Basu
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5459/ashokan-pillar-base-sarnath/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Ashokan Pillar Base, Sarnath

_Authored by [Anindita Basu](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/ab.techwriter/)_

## Image File

[![Ashokan Pillar Base, Sarnath](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/5459.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/5459.jpg)

## Image Caption

Remains of an Ashokan Pillar in the [Buddhist](https://www.worldhistory.org/buddhism/) monastery around the Dharmarajika [Stupa](https://www.worldhistory.org/stupa/). The pillar has three inscriptions: the earliest is an Ashokan edict warning the monks and nuns of the monastery against quarrelling with each other, the second is about a Kushan king of a neighbouring [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/), and the third is from the early [Gupta](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/gupta/) period and mentions the teachers of two sects of the [Buddha](https://www.worldhistory.org/Siddhartha_Gautama/) school. The pillar was once adorned by a lion capital, which is now displayed at the museum across the road. This Ashokan capital is also the national emblem of [India](https://www.worldhistory.org/india/). Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India, 3rd century BCE.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Anindita is a technical writer and editor. Her off-work interests include Indology, data visualisation, and etymology.
- [X/Twitter Profile](https://twitter.com/anindita_basu)
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com//in/aninditabasu)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Basu, A. (2016, August 21). Ashokan Pillar Base, Sarnath. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5459/ashokan-pillar-base-sarnath/>
### Chicago
Basu, Anindita. "Ashokan Pillar Base, Sarnath." *World History Encyclopedia*, August 21, 2016. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5459/ashokan-pillar-base-sarnath/>.
### MLA
Basu, Anindita. "Ashokan Pillar Base, Sarnath." *World History Encyclopedia*, 21 Aug 2016, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5459/ashokan-pillar-base-sarnath/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Anindita Basu](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/ab.techwriter/ "User Page: Anindita Basu"), published on 21 August 2016. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.