UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 90
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.’
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Correct Option: A (Ashoka)
Explanation: The quotation condemning the glorification of one sect through denigration of others comes from Ashoka’s Major Rock Edict XII, promoting respect among religious traditions.
Option-wise Analysis:
A. Correct - Ashoka’s dhamma edicts counsel restraint and inter-sect respect.
B. Incorrect - Samudragupta is known for Gupta imperial inscriptions, not this Ashokan dhamma passage.
C. Incorrect - Harshavardhana supported religious patronage but did not issue this rock edict.
D. Incorrect - Krishnadevaraya ruled Vijayanagara much later and is unrelated to this inscription.