Ashokan Edicts: Early Forms of Mass Communication in Ancient India

Name of the Activity: Ashokan Edicts: Early Forms of Mass Communication in Ancient India

Type of Activity: Peer Lecture

Date/ Duration of Activity (from-to): 17^th May 2025

Time: 14:30-16:00

Details of Resource persons: Prof. Devina Gupta

of Participants: – 4

Objective of the event: To present a forum for the faculty member to present her research on Ashokan edicts as early forms of mass communication in ancient India

Brief description of the event: The Department of History organised a peer lecture entitled ‘Ashokan Edicts: Early Forms of Mass Communication in Ancient India’ on May 17, 2025. It was conducted in room 547 from 2:30 pm to 4 pm. The lectured enquired into one of the edicts (both pillar and rock) as earliest forms of communication in ancient India. The lecture differentiated how this was different from the kind of mass communication espoused by the kind propagated in modern Europe. The lecture ended with how these edicts were the earliest form of communication intended by the monarch for his hitherto heterogeneous subjects spanning from the northwest to the south of India.

Outcome of the event: The lecture was successful as it elicited exciting conversations and feedback among the faculty members and opened an avenue to present their findings in front of an informal informed audience.