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In which of the following relief sculpture inscriptions is 'Ranyo Ashoka' (King Ashoka) mentioned along with the stone portrait of Ashoka?
Explanation
The correct answer is option A - Kanganahalli. The relief at Kanaganahalli bears the inscription "RÄya Asoko" (King Ashoka) in Brahmi script[2], and it depicts the king with his queen, two attendants bearing fly-whisks, and one attendant bearing an umbrella[2]. This inscription of 'Ranyo Asoko' (King AÅoka) is given alongside this relief[3], making it a unique example where Ashoka's name directly identifies his portrait. While a similar relief exists at Sanchi showing a king with his two queens and three attendants (most probably Ashoka), the identification with Ashoka is only suggested by comparison to the Kanaganahalli relief which[4] bears his name. The Sanchi relief itself does not contain the inscription "Ranyo Ashoka." Shahbazgarhi and Sohgaura are known for different types of inscriptions and do not have such relief sculptures with Ashoka's portrait and name together.
Sources- [1] https://en.bharatpedia.org/wiki/Ashoka
- [2] https://en.bharatpedia.org/wiki/Ashoka
- [4] https://en.bharatpedia.org/wiki/Ashoka
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis question targets a specific archaeological breakthrough (the Kanaganahalli excavation) rather than generic textbook knowledge. It distinguishes between 'textual mentions' (like Maski) and 'visual portraits' of Ashoka. It rewards aspirants who track Art & Culture updates or read advanced references like Upinder Singh.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The king's identification with Ashoka is suggested by a similar relief at Kanaganahalli, which bears his name. ... The relief bears the inscription "RÄya Asoko""
Why this source?
- Specifically names the Kanaganahalli relief and links it to an identification with Ashoka.
- States the relief bears the inscription reading the king's name 'RÄya Asoko'.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Clearly obvious that this is AÅoka, as evidenced by the inscription of ā*Ranyo Asoko*ā (King AÅoka) given alongside this relief"
Why this source?
- Explicitly describes the Kanaganahalli relief and notes the inscription 'Ranyo Asoko' alongside it.
- Connects the inscription phrase to the reading 'King AÅoka', confirming the association with the relief portrait.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"š
š²ššš, "King Ashoka") in [Brahmi script]. It depicts the king with his queen, two attendants bearing fly-whisks, and one attendant bearing an umbrella."
Why this source?
- Shows the inscription rendered in Brahmi script and translates it as 'King Ashoka'.
- Describes the relief depiction of the king with his queen, tying the inscription to the sculpted portrait.
- Specifically names the Kanaganahalli relief and links it to an identification with Ashoka.
- States the relief bears the inscription reading the king's name 'RÄya Asoko'.
- Explicitly describes the Kanaganahalli relief and notes the inscription 'Ranyo Asoko' alongside it.
- Connects the inscription phrase to the reading 'King AÅoka', confirming the association with the relief portrait.
- Shows the inscription rendered in Brahmi script and translates it as 'King Ashoka'.
- Describes the relief depiction of the king with his queen, tying the inscription to the sculpted portrait.
History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 4: Emergence of State and Empire > Edicts of Ashoka > p. 52
Strength: 4/5
āThe edicts of Ashoka thus constitute the most concrete source of information about the Mauryan Empire. There are 33 edicts comprising 14 Major Rock Edicts, 2 known The Kalinga edicts, 7 Pillar Edicts, some Minor Rock Edits and a few Minor Pillar Inscriptions. The Major Rock Edicts extend from Kandahar in Afghanistan, Shahbazgarhi and Mansehra in north-west Pakistan to Uttarakhand district in the north, Gujarat and Maharashtra in the west, Odisha in the east and as far south as Karnataka and Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh, Minor Pillar Inscriptions have been found as far north as Nepal (near Lumbini). The geographical spread of the edicts essentially defines the extent of the vast empire over which Ashoka ruled.ā
Why relevant
Lists geographical spread of Ashokan edicts including as far south as Karnataka, implying Ashokan inscriptions occur in southern India.
How to extend
A student could check Kanganahalli's location relative to the listed southern find-spots (Karnataka, Andhra) to judge plausibility that an Ashokan-style inscription might appear there.
History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 5: Evolution of Society in South India > Epigraphic > p. 63
Strength: 4/5
āā¢ The Ashokan inscriptions, written in Prakrit, found in Andhra-Karnataka regions.
ā¢ \overline{\mathbb{Z}}The Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions found in the caves of Tamil Nadu and Kerala such as in Mangulam, Jambai, and Pugalur.
ā¢ The Satavahana inscriptions and other Buddhist inscriptions of the Andhra region
ā¢ Short inscriptions found on pottery and rings and stones in Tamil Nadu and some sites outside India, like in Berenike, and Quseir al Qadhim (Egypt).ā
Why relevant
Notes Ashokan inscriptions in Andhra-Karnataka regions and presence of Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions in nearby southern sites (Mangulam, Jambai).
How to extend
Use a map to see if Kanganahalli lies within the region where Ashokan or Tamil-Brahmi epigraphy is known, making an Ashokan reference plausible.
Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 6: The Age of Reorganisation > LET'S EXPLORE > p. 136
Strength: 5/5
āCarefully observe this massive statue (1.85 m high) and notice the clothing, weapon, and footwear. What does it tell us about this figure?
This famous 'headless' statue is of King Kaį¹iį¹£hka, probably the most powerful ruler of the Kuį¹£hÄį¹a dynasty. The Brahmi inscription on the statue reads, 'mahÄrÄja rÄjadhirÄja devaputra kaį¹iį¹£hka', that is, 'The great king, king of kings, son of God, Kaį¹iį¹£hka'.
Observe the coins carefully. Who, besides the emperor, appears on the coin?
Fig. 6.23. Coins of Kaį¹iį¹£hkaā
Why relevant
Gives a clear example where a Brahmi inscription on a statue names the ruler (Kaį¹iį¹£hka), demonstrating that inscriptions can accompany stone portraits to identify kings.
How to extend
Apply the pattern (inscriptions can label portraits) to assess whether an inscription at Kanganahalli could reasonably contain the phrase 'Ranyo Ashoka' next to a stone portrait.
Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 6: The Age of Reorganisation > THINK ABOUT IT > p. 127
Strength: 4/5
āThe SÄtavÄhanas were devout followers of VÄsudeva (another name for Kį¹iį¹£hį¹a), although they also patronised other schools of thought, which flourished during their rule. For instance, SÄtavÄhana kings often granted tax-free agricultural land to Vedic scholars, Jaina and Buddhist monks, helping them to pursue their studies and practices. This sculpture of a yakį¹£ha from Pitalkhora carries an inscription on its hand, kanhadÄsena hiramakarena kÄį¹a meaning 'made by Kanahadasa, a goldsmith'. Is it not interesting to see that a goldsmith could also craft a sculpture made of stone? What do you think this tells us about people's professions at the time?ā
Why relevant
Shows inscriptions can appear on sculptures (example: Pitalkhora yakį¹£ha with maker's name), indicating stone art and inscriptions frequently co-occur.
How to extend
Combine this with knowledge of local epigraphic practices to infer that a portrait could have an accompanying inscription identifying its subject.
History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 4: Emergence of State and Empire > Sources > p. 47
Strength: 3/5
āThe most widely known are the edicts of Ashoka, which have been discovered in many parts of the country. In fact, the reconstruction of the Mauryan period to a great extent became possible only after the Brahmi script of the inscriptions at Sanchi was deciphered by James Prinsep in 1837. Let us now turn to two later sources. The first is the rock inscription of Junagadh, near Girnar in Gujarat. This was carved during the reign of Rudradaman, the local ruler and dates back to 130-150 CE. It refers to Pushyagupta, the provincial governor (rashtriya) of Emperor Chandragupta.ā
Why relevant
Describes other ruler-related rock inscriptions (e.g., Junagadh referring to provincial officials), illustrating the practice of recording rulers and officials on rock surfaces.
How to extend
Use this as a precedent to consider whether a Kanganahalli rock/relief inscription might name a king like Ashoka, then seek transcription or photographs for verification.
Lists geographical spread of Ashokan edicts including as far south as Karnataka, implying Ashokan inscriptions occur in southern India.
A student could check Kanganahalli's location relative to the listed southern find-spots (Karnataka, Andhra) to judge plausibility that an Ashokan-style inscription might appear there.
Notes Ashokan inscriptions in Andhra-Karnataka regions and presence of Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions in nearby southern sites (Mangulam, Jambai).
Use a map to see if Kanganahalli lies within the region where Ashokan or Tamil-Brahmi epigraphy is known, making an Ashokan reference plausible.
Gives a clear example where a Brahmi inscription on a statue names the ruler (Kaį¹iį¹£hka), demonstrating that inscriptions can accompany stone portraits to identify kings.
Apply the pattern (inscriptions can label portraits) to assess whether an inscription at Kanganahalli could reasonably contain the phrase 'Ranyo Ashoka' next to a stone portrait.
Shows inscriptions can appear on sculptures (example: Pitalkhora yakį¹£ha with maker's name), indicating stone art and inscriptions frequently co-occur.
Combine this with knowledge of local epigraphic practices to infer that a portrait could have an accompanying inscription identifying its subject.
Describes other ruler-related rock inscriptions (e.g., Junagadh referring to provincial officials), illustrating the practice of recording rulers and officials on rock surfaces.
Use this as a precedent to consider whether a Kanganahalli rock/relief inscription might name a king like Ashoka, then seek transcription or photographs for verification.
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