History2020
Who among the following rulers advised his subjects through this inscription? “Whosoever praises his religious sect or blames other sects out of excessive devotion to his own sect, with the view of glorifying his own sect, he rather injures his own sect very severely.”
Explanation
The correct option is Ashoka, as this inscription reflects his philosophy of Dhamma, which emphasizes tolerance and respect among different religious beliefs. Ashoka, the third Mauryan emperor, promoted a policy of non-violence and compassion, steering away from sectarian conflicts and advocating for mutual respect among various faiths. This inscription is a fundamental element of his edicts, which sought to foster social harmony and ethical governance, aligning well with the principles covered in standard UPSC-level sources like NCERT and reference materials on ancient Indian history.