MANSEHRA, March 28 About fourteen edicts of the Maryann emperor Ashoka inscribed on rocks in Mansehra city have been eroded by vagaries of weather and rapid urbanisation to the extent that they have become unreadable with the passage of time.

These edicts have been found inscribed on three big rocks on both sides of the Karakuram Highway.

The department of archeology and museum in 1969-70 provided canopies to cover the three rocks in order to protect them from ravages of environmental degradation.

These rock edicts emerged on the global scene on July 13, 2001, when some foreign tourists came under attack and six of them were injured during a visit to the site. The attack was carried out apparently in retaliation to the US-led invasion of Afghanistan.

According to archeologists, the inscriptions are getting deteriorated because of severe variation of environment and touching with hands.

History reveals that Ashoka who ruled almost the entire India from 232 to 269 BC after conquering the subcontinent had become sick of all types of violence and had converted to Buddhism. He left his edicts in Bangladesh, Afghanistan, India and in Mansehra in Pakistan.