Analyze the structural features of the Ashokan Pillar Edicts: 1. Unlike the Persian pillars which were built in separate pieces assembled together, Ashokan pillars were carved out of a single piece of sandstone (monolithic). 2. Animal capitals atop the Ashokan pillars uniformly feature the abacus adorned with figures of the humped bull and the lion. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Statement 1 is correct because unlike monolithic Ashokan pillars carved from a single piece of sandstone, Persian pillars were typically constructed from separate stone pieces assembled together. Statement 2 is incorrect because the animal capitals and abacuses vary across different pillars; the Sarnath capital features an elephant, a horse, a bull, and a lion, whereas others depict different motifs. These pillars are a prominent example of Mauryan polished stone architecture.