http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/wor..._1646000/16469
07.stm

Archaeologists in eastern India have
discovered two rare statues of Asoka, one of
India's best loved warrior kings.

The sandstone relics -
dating back to the
third century BC - were
unearthed in Langudi
Hill, a historical site in
the Jajpur district of
Orissa state, about 85
kilometres from the
state capital,
Bhubaneswar.

The discovery, which
may shed light on what
the king actually looked
like, follows the recent release of a Bollywood
epic on Asoka's life.

'Auspicious hands'

One of the two finds is the first individual
statue of Asoka bearing an inscription ever to
be discovered in India.

Dr DR Pradhan, secretary of the state-run
Institute of Maritime and South East Asian
studies, told the BBC the ancient inscription
translates as: "The statue was unveiled by the
auspicious hands of Asoka".

Dr Pradhan said the
second statue,
depicting the king with
two of his queens, bore
the simple inscription:
"The King Asoka".

The statues are two of
the earliest examples
of sculpture ever found
in Orissa, which was
invaded by Asoka in
the third century BC,
when it was called Kalinga.

Asoka is believed to have been so horrified by
the loss of life in that war that he renounced
violence and vowed to spread the message of
peace far and wide.

Archaeologists describe Langudi Hill as home to
eastern India's oldest Asokan stupa - tombs
constructed by Buddhists over the remains of
Lord Buddha and his leading disciples.

The hill, which the institute has been
excavating for many years, has since been
recognised as one of the country's most
important Buddhist sites.

Dear Tiru. Balakrishnan, I.A.S.,

Greetings.

Can you please send the Asoka statue photos
either thru' the web?, [if not, sending to me is an option].

Kind regards,
N. Ganesan