TOPIC: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
1)The ultimate aim of Ashoka’s Dhamma was to create a harmonious atmosphere in the state, where all people irrespective of their religious and cultural diversities, lived in peace and harmony with each other.(250 words)
Why this question
The question is an important and controversial topic INDIRECTLY related to GS 1 syllabus under the following heading-
Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
key demand of the question
The question wants us to dig deep the into the policy of Dhamma adopted by Ashoka, identify the reasons behind the policy, its achievements. We have to provide justification in the form of facts/ arguments to support our identification of the reasons.
Directive word
Examine- we have to look into the details of the Ashoka’s policy of Dhamma and find out how the ultimate aim of the policy was to create a harmonious atmosphere in the state, where all people irrespective of their religious and cultural diversities, lived in peace and harmony with each other.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – mention that the word Dhamma is derived from the Sanskrit word dharma and has no equivalent meaning in the English language, because of a specific context in which the term developed and applied.
Body-
- Discuss in points, how the policy of Dhamma was meant to reduce various conflicts and discords present in the Mauryan society at that time.
e.g socio-economic condition- use of iron, the growth of Commerce and urban centres demanded a flexible social organization but the society was sharply divided by the caste system. Buddhism appeal to the lower sections of the society.
- Mention the rock edicts which give us an idea of the purpose of the policy of Dhamma.
Take help of the article attached to the question to frame your answer.
Conclusion– mention that Ashoka’s Dhamma was an answer to the socio-political needs of the contemporaneous situation.
