Palkigundu and Gavimath near Koppal in Karnataka, are the names of two locations were inscriptions of Emperor Ashoka (304–232 BCE) were found. The material represents one of the India's oldest written records. Jain monks used to meditate there. The Palkigundu and Gavimath edicts are in the Prakrit, written in Brahmi script. A Kannada translation of the inscriptions is available.
At Palkigundu (palanquin rock), two huge boulders are topped with a flat-shaped rock forming a canopy. Rough steps lead to the top of the boulders, where a 2,300-year-old inscription is located. Similar edicts have been found in 17 places in India.
About 2.5 km from Palkigundu, at Gavimath, there is another rock inscription, also an edict from Ashoka. The Gavimath inscription is situated on a boulder in a sheltered place with a rock canopy. Jain monks used both Gavimath and Palkigundu as locations to meditate.
Ashoka Edicts at Palkigundu
The rock edicts written in Brahmi script, talk about Ashoka becoming closer to the Sangha and becoming more ardent. Further it says any person, small or big, can achieve something if they put the effort.