Nine Unknown Men of Ashoka - A Secret Society Rooted in Hindu Mysticism?

India is a land of myths and mysteries, where history and legend intertwine to create fascinating narratives. One of the most intriguing tales is that of the Nine Unknown Men, a secret society believed to have been founded by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE. After witnessing the devastating bloodshed of the Kalinga War, Ashoka is said to have turned towards peace and knowledge. To prevent dangerous wisdom from falling into the wrong hands, he allegedly gathered nine of the brightest minds in his empire and entrusted them with protecting and developing powerful knowledge, hidden from the rest of the world.
The legend suggests that each of these Nine Unknown Men was given a specific book of knowledge to guard and refine. These books covered topics ranging from warfare and alchemy to psychology and microbiology. Some theories even link this ancient brotherhood to later scientific advancements, secret teachings, and mystical practices.
While there is no definitive proof of their existence, several sources claim that the Nine Unknown Men each held a book filled with knowledge far beyond its time. The subjects of these books vary across different retellings of the legend, but some commonly mentioned ones include:
Many of these subjects align with Hindu mysticism and ancient Indian scriptures. The Vedas, Upanishads, and other sacred texts hint at knowledge that predates modern science by thousands of years. The concept of Siddhis (supernatural powers attained through spiritual practice) could be linked to some of the knowledge guarded by the Nine Unknown Men.
For example, ancient Indian texts describe Vimanas—flying chariots resembling modern spacecraft. Could the book on gravity and cosmology contain the secrets of anti-gravitational propulsion? Similarly, Ayurveda and Rasayana (Indian alchemy) describe longevity-enhancing potions, which might correlate with the book on medicine and transmutation.
Some conspiracy theories suggest that the knowledge of the Nine Unknown Men has secretly influenced modern science. The sudden bursts of technological advancement in certain periods of history raise questions about whether hidden wisdom played a role. The discovery of antibiotics, nuclear energy, and even artificial intelligence could, according to these theories, be linked to the gradual release of information guarded by the Nine.
Moreover, the idea of secret societies preserving and controlling knowledge is not unique to Indian history. Groups like the Freemasons, the Illuminati, and the Rosicrucians are said to have similar goals—protecting hidden knowledge while subtly guiding civilization. Could the Nine Unknown Men have been an ancient version of these secretive organizations?
Despite the tantalizing allure of this legend, there is no concrete historical evidence to prove the Nine Unknown Men existed. Some scholars believe the story was a later invention, perhaps popularized by authors like Talbot Mundy in his 1923 novel The Nine Unknown. Others argue that secret societies have always existed in some form, making it plausible that Ashoka could have created such an order.
Yet, the mysteries of ancient India—its unexplained advancements in science, architecture, and spirituality—keep the possibility open. Even if the Nine Unknown Men are purely a myth, they symbolize the timeless pursuit of wisdom and the balance between sharing and safeguarding knowledge.
Whether real or imagined, the legend of the Nine Unknown Men continues to capture the imagination of historians, mystics, and conspiracy theorists alike. It is a story that speaks to the power of knowledge, the dangers of misuse, and the eternal quest for enlightenment. Perhaps, somewhere in the hidden corners of history, fragments of their wisdom still exist, waiting to be rediscovered.