UPSC Prelims 2019 Q8: Ancient History – Ancient India
- (a) Kanganahalli
- (b) Sanchi
- (c) Shahbazgarhi
- (d) Sohgaura
Answer: (a) Kanganahalli
Explanation
Portrait of Ashoka: Kanganahalli Stupa
| Site | Relevance | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Kanganahalli (Karnataka) | Portrait of Ashoka with 'Ranyo Ashoka' inscription | Relief sculpture at the Maha Stupa depicts Ashoka with his queens; label 'Ranyo Ashoko' (King Ashoka) in Brahmi is the ONLY known contemporary/near-contemporary portrait of Ashoka discovered so far. |
| Sanchi | Great Stupa (3rd c. BCE) | Stupa complex expanded from Mauryan core; no labelled Ashoka portrait. |
| Shahbazgarhi | Rock Edict site (NW Pakistan) | Contains Ashoka's rock edicts in Kharoshthi script, but no portrait. |
| Sohgaura | Mauryan copper-plate | Famine-relief order; no Ashoka portrait. |
The Kanganahalli stupa in Sannati (Kalaburagi district, Karnataka) is the only site where 'Ranyo Ashoka' with a stone portrait has been found.
Answer: (a) Kanganahalli.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Kanganahalli stupa (Karnataka) has a relief sculpture labelled 'Ranyo Ashoko' - the only known stone portrait of Ashoka.
- (b) Incorrect. Sanchi has the Great Stupa and gateways with Buddhist narrative scenes, but no labelled Ashoka portrait.
- (c) Incorrect. Shahbazgarhi (Pakistan) has Ashoka's rock edicts in Kharoshthi script, not a portrait.
- (d) Incorrect. Sohgaura has a Mauryan copper-plate inscription about famine relief, not an Ashoka portrait.
Key point
Kanganahalli (Karnataka) = only known stone portrait of Ashoka with 'Ranyo Ashoko' inscription. This is a major recent (1990s ASI) discovery.
Remember
The Kanganahalli stupa in Karnataka (Sannati, Kalaburagi district) contains a unique relief sculpture with the inscription 'Ranyo Ashoko' (King Ashoka) along with a stone portrait of Ashoka - the only such contemporary portrait discovered in India so far.
Common mistakes
- Assuming Ashoka's portrait exists at Sanchi because of the stupa. It doesn't - Kanganahalli is the site.
- Confusing Shahbazgarhi (Kharoshthi edicts) or Mansehra (Kharoshthi edicts) with portrait sites.
- Not knowing that Kanganahalli was excavated by ASI in the 1990s and remains the only labelled contemporary portrait of an Indian emperor from that era.
Exam tip
Ashoka rare-fact revision: (i) Only stone portrait = Kanganahalli (Karnataka). (ii) Only edicts in Aramaic/Greek = Kandahar (Afghanistan). (iii) Only 'Devanampiya Piyadasi' edicts identified with Ashoka via Maski, Gujarra edicts (which name him directly).
Sources
- ASI - Excavations at Kanganahalli, Karnataka
- NCERT Class 12 - Themes in Indian History Part I (Kings, Farmers and Towns)