In which of the following relief sculpture inscriptions is 'Ranyo Ashoka' (King Ashoka) mentioned along with the stone portrait of Ashoka?
- (a) Kanganahalli ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) Sanchi
- (c) Shahbazgarhi
- (d) Sohgaura
Why the answer is (a)
• At Kanaganahalli (Sannati, Kalaburagi district, Karnataka), excavations of a Mauryan–Satavahana stupa revealed a relief panel showing a king with his queens, labelled in Brahmi 'Ranyo Ashoka' — the only known portrait of Ashoka with his name — option (a).
• Sanchi (b) has the great stupa and gateways but no labelled Ashoka portrait; Shahbazgarhi (c) has Kharosthi rock edicts; Sohgaura (d) has a Mauryan copper plate.
• Hence option (a).
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) Sanchi
- Sanchi has no labelled portrait of Ashoka.
- (c) Shahbazgarhi
- Shahbazgarhi has rock edicts, not a portrait.
- (d) Sohgaura
- Sohgaura has a copper-plate inscription, not a portrait.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2019, held on 2 June 2019. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.