Pathavi in Karnataka

[Guest guest]

Dear all, Can anyone throw light on a place called Pathavi (or similar sounding place) in Karnataka? it might be somewhere around Kolar fields. You can also look for a place with similar meaning. Pathavi means earth.

thanks in advance, Kishore patnaik

[Guest guest]

, " kishore patnaik "

<kishorepatnaik09 wrote:

>

> Dear all,

>

>

> Can anyone throw light on a place called Pathavi (or similar

sounding place)

> in Karnataka? it might be somewhere around Kolar fields.

>

> You can also look for a place with similar meaning. Pathavi means earth.

>

> thanks in advance,

>

> Kishore patnaik

>

 

Here is the Wikipedia link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avani) to

Avani (means Earth), which is in Kolar district of Karnataka. As per

the link, it is considered as Gaya of the south. It used to be an

early capital of the Western Ganga dynasty (Jain kings) before they

moved it to Talakkad. Hope this helps.

 

Dinesh

[Guest guest]

, " kishore patnaik "

<kishorepatnaik09 wrote:

>

> Dear all,

>

>

> Can anyone throw light on a place called Pathavi (or similar

sounding place)

> in Karnataka? it might be somewhere around Kolar fields.

>

> You can also look for a place with similar meaning. Pathavi means earth.

>

> thanks in advance,

>

> Kishore patnaik

>

 

 

Okay, one more link with details about Avani in KGF

 

http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Aug282007/spectrum2007082721778.asp

 

Dinesh

[Guest guest]

Wonderful n thanks

 

I think my guess is being supported.

 

 

 

regards,

 

Kishore patnaik

 

 

On Tue, Jul 8, 2008 at 12:54 PM, Dinesh Prabhu <dinprabhu wrote:

 

 

 

 

 

 

, " kishore patnaik " <kishorepatnaik09 wrote:>

 

 

> Dear all,> > > Can anyone throw light on a place called Pathavi (or similarsounding place)> in Karnataka? it might be somewhere around Kolar fields.> > You can also look for a place with similar meaning. Pathavi means earth.

> > thanks in advance,> > Kishore patnaik>Okay, one more link with details about Avani in KGFhttp://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Aug282007/spectrum2007082721778.asp

Dinesh

-- Love is a fruit in season at all times,

and within the reach of every hand.~:~ Mother Theresa ~:~

[Guest guest]

, " kishore patnaik "

<kishorepatnaik09 wrote:

>

> Wonderful n thanks

>

> I think my guess is being supported.

>

>

>

> regards,

>

> Kishore patnaik

>

>

>

>

> On Tue, Jul 8, 2008 at 12:54 PM, Dinesh Prabhu <dinprabhu wrote:

>

> >

<%40>,

> > " kishore patnaik "

> > <kishorepatnaik09@> wrote:

> > >

> > > Dear all,

> > >

> > >

> > > Can anyone throw light on a place called Pathavi (or similar

> > sounding place)

> > > in Karnataka? it might be somewhere around Kolar fields.

> > >

> > > You can also look for a place with similar meaning. Pathavi

means earth.

> > >

> > > thanks in advance,

> > >

> > > Kishore patnaik

> > >

> >

> > Okay, one more link with details about Avani in KGF

> >

> >

http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Aug282007/spectrum2007082721778.asp

> >

> > Dinesh

> >

> >

> >

>

>

 

Kishore,

 

I assume that your post means that this little bit about Avani

corroborates your theory that Priyadarsi was from the South

(Karnataka/TN), and not the same as the the Mauryan Ashoka. This is

intriguing. Any more leads/clues? Any other references along these

lines? Thanks much.

 

Dinesh

 

>

> --

> Love is a fruit in season at all times,

> and within the reach of every hand.

> ~:~ Mother Theresa ~:~

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Kishore,

>

> I assume that your post means that this little bit about Avani

> corroborates your theory that Priyadarsi was from the South

> (Karnataka/TN), and not the same as the the Mauryan Ashoka. This is

> intriguing. Any more leads/clues? Any other references along these

> lines? Thanks much.

>

> Dinesh

>

 

 

 

The all important edict related to provinces has been specifically

issued from Suvarna giri, which is identified as a place in

Karnataka. More over, Romilla Thapar specifically notes that most of

his edicts are placed in gold bearing areas, indicting his influence

and interest in such places. This made me conclude that he must be

from Kolar fields.

 

Further, Priyadarsi says in one edict that he is the king of the

pathavi or the world but such statements do not go with his

externally modest nature. Hence, I coupled this statement with my

above conclusion that his original capital must be lying near Kolar

fields in a village whose name means Earth (since Pathavi litt. means

earth).

 

I hope this is leading me on the right track.

 

Now, I am in touch with Archaeology department to know if any

excavations are on in this area, though my web search does not reveal

any such exercise.

 

hope this helps,

 

Kishore patnaik

[Guest guest]

My inquiries with ASI, Bangalore reveals that there are no excavations going on at Avani. It is a pity. Hyderabad has experienced about 36 hours of continuous rain in last two days. Meanwhile, I have been reading the Minor rock edict from Suvarna giri. I am seeing new meanings. I have written to some of the best Buddhism scholars and I would come back, (if and) as soon as I hear from them.

regards, Kishore patnaik On Wed, Jul 9, 2008 at 2:20 PM, Kishore patnaik <kishorepatnaik09 wrote:

 

 

 

 

 

 

>

> Kishore,

>

> I assume that your post means that this little bit about Avani

> corroborates your theory that Priyadarsi was from the South

> (Karnataka/TN), and not the same as the the Mauryan Ashoka. This is

> intriguing. Any more leads/clues? Any other references along these

> lines? Thanks much.

>

> Dinesh

>

 

The all important edict related to provinces has been specifically

issued from Suvarna giri, which is identified as a place in

Karnataka. More over, Romilla Thapar specifically notes that most of

his edicts are placed in gold bearing areas, indicting his influence

and interest in such places. This made me conclude that he must be

from Kolar fields.

 

Further, Priyadarsi says in one edict that he is the king of the

pathavi or the world but such statements do not go with his

externally modest nature. Hence, I coupled this statement with my

above conclusion that his original capital must be lying near Kolar

fields in a village whose name means Earth (since Pathavi litt. means

earth).

 

I hope this is leading me on the right track.

 

Now, I am in touch with Archaeology department to know if any

excavations are on in this area, though my web search does not reveal

any such exercise.

 

hope this helps,

 

Kishore patnaik

 

 

 

-- Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within the reach of every hand.~:~ Mother Theresa ~:~

[Guest guest]

http://www.katinkahesselink.net/tibet/asoka-locations.htm The

Geographical Locations of

The Rock Edicts of Asoka

THE locations of the edicts are of geographical importance, as

the selection of their sites was not arbitrary. They were deliberately

placed either near

habitations, or on important travel routes, or at places of religious

interest,

thereby ensuring that they would be available to as many people as

possible. The reasons for the choice of a particular site will be given

in this appendix.

Such an analysis demands considerable archaeological evidence to

substantiate

literary and epigraphical indications. Unfortunately not all the sites

have

as yet been excavated. Therefore, in some cases the reasons can only be

regarded as suggestions. Concerning the importance of the sites in

south

India we must keep in mind that the area within which most of the

edicts

have been found tallies closely with the gold-mining area of the south.

The Arthasastra mentions this activity in the

south, and speaks of gold as a special commodity of trade with the

south. Thus this region was of tremendous economic importance and this

may have been the prime reason for the selection of some of the

southern sites. The inscriptions were probably situated in the

well-inhabited mining areas or along the main routes to this area. The

list of sites is given in alphabetical order. Allahabad-KosamBairat

Barabar Hill CavesBroachBrahmagiri

Delhi-MeerutDhauliGavimath

GirnarGujarraJatinga-Rameshwar

JaugadaKalsiKandanar

LampayaLauriya-ArarajLauriya-Nandangarh

MahasthanMansehraMaski

Nigali-SagarPalkigunduPataliputra

Rajula-MandagiriRampuryaRummindei

RupanathSahasramSanchi

SarnathShahbazgarhiSiddapur

SohgauraSoparaSuvarnagiri

TamraliptiTaxilaUjjain

Yerragudi AHRAURA. The site lies

23 miles south of present day Banaras. It was

probably on the route from Magadba to the west coast, as were SabasrAm

and

Rupanath.

ALLAHABAD-KOSAM (Pillar Edicts I-VI, the Queen's Edict, and

the Kausambi Edict or Schism Edict). The importance of Allahabad, the

old Prayaga was largely due to its being a pilgrim centre. It lay on

what was then a great sandy plain between the two rivers, the (Ganges

and the Yamuna Hsuan Tsang describes it as a place sacred to Hindus and

relates many legends regarding its temples. Since the Kausambi Edict is

directed to the mahamattas of Kausambi, this pillar

was originally situated at the latter site. The site is the same as

modern Kosam on the left bank of the Yamuna, twenty-eight miles

south-west of Allahabad. Kausambi having been a place of religious

importance in Buddhist times may well have attracted pilgrims from

various parts of the country and would therefore have been an excellent

site for the edicts. The Asokan pillar was inscribed on, at later

period by various rulers including Samudragupta and Jahangir. It would

appear from Samudragupta's inscription that the pillar was still at

Kausambi during the Gupta period. Probably Jahangir was responsible for

its removal to the fort at Allahabad, which he did in imitation of

Firoz Shah, who had brought similar pillars from Topra and Meerut to

Delhi. Both Allahabad and Kausambi being on the river Yamuna, the

transportation of the pillar would not have been too difficult.

BAIRAT

(Minor Rock Edict and the Bbabra Edict). Bairat is located in

Rajasthan,

forty-two miles north-east of Jaipur. It has been identified with

Virata

the capital of the Matsya state. The presence of the Bhabra Edict

addressed

specifically to the Sangha is explained by the fact

that the remains

of two monasteries have been discovered on a hill about a male

south-west

of Bairat. More recently, excavations in the region revealed a brick

chamber resembling a stupa. It may have been an

early Buddhist shrine of

a period prior to the emergence of the stupa as a

regular Buddhist

feature. This points to Bairat being an old and established centre of

Buddhism.

It was thus both a centre of religious activity and an important city

of

the region, with a large population.

BARABAR HILL CAVES (Donatory inscriptions to the

Ajivika sect). The inscriptions in these caveS are donatory, and

therefore their significance does not

rest in the particular importance of their site. The caves were in a

group

of hills girdling the city of Rajagrha.

BROACH is not mentioned in the edicts nor is it

the site of any Asokan inscription, but from other evidence it was

clearly the most important commercial centre for trade with the West

and as such must have held a prominent position during the Mauryan

period. It is mentioned with great frequency in the Periplus. Since the

ports of Saurastra had communication with the cities in the Ganges

basin they became important in the course of this trade. Furthermore

the Aparanta area to the west of the Mauryan empire, had considerable

Greek and

Persian contacts, which no doubt the people of this area wished to

maintain. BRAHMAGIRI

(Minor Rock Inscription). Excavations at the site have revealed

considerable archaeological evidence pointing to Brahmagiri having been

an

important centre in south India even well before the Mauryan period.

Continual

habitation for many hundreds of years resulted in its emerging as an

influential town, particularly after it had become one of the southern

outposts of

the Mauryan empire. It may also have been the starting point of

pilgrimages

to the sources of the two rivers, Godavari and Kaveri. DELHI-MEERUT and

DELHI-TOPRA (Pillar Edict, I-VI and I-VII respectively). The

Delhi-Meerut and the Delhi-Topra pillars are so called because they

were transported to Delhi by Firoz Shah from their original sites at

Meerut

and Topra. Both these places lie to the north-west of Delhi. Neither of

these two sites has been excavated as yet so that the reason for their

being

selected as the location for the Pillar Edicts remains uncertain. It

would appear that both sites were important stopping places on the road

from

Pataliputra to the north-west. If there were caravanserals at these two

points no doubt a fairly large habitation must have grown up around

them. DHAULI

(Major Rock Edicts). The Dhauli inscription has been cut high on

a rock in a group of hills which rise abruptly from the surrounding

plain. The site has been identified with Tosali which is mentioned by

Ptolemy as a metropolis. It was situated near the sacred pool of

Kosala-Ganga and thus developed into a religious centre as well. The

identification of Dhauli with Tosali is most convincing and is borne

out by the text of the 1st Separate

Edict which is addressed to the mahamattas of Tosali. It seems

reasonable

that the edicts would be as near the city as possible if not actually

within

it. (GAVIMATH

(Minor Rock Edict). Gavimath is situated in modem Mysore and is one

among the group of places in the neighbourhood of Siddapur where this

edict is found with great frequency. Its importance may have been

largely due to its being a mining area or on an important route.

GIRNAR (Major Rock

Edicts). The importance of Girnar is not difficult to account for. It

is situated one mile to the east of Junagarh in Kathiawar. That it was

a site of immense importance is amply proved by the number of major

inscriptions to be found there, including apart from those of Asoka,

those of Rudradaman and Skandagupta. It is mentioned as Girinagar in

the Brhat Samhita. By tradition the mountain is regarded as sacred both

to brahmans and Jainas. Its importance was increased by the fact that

during the reign of Candragupta a dam was constructed on the Sudarsana

lake in the

neighbourhood of Girnar. The Rudradaman inscription informs us that the

lake was originally built by Pusyagupta the provincial governor of

Candragupta. Subsequently conduits were worked from it by Tusaspa in

the reign of Asoka.

It refers to the town of Girinagar in the vicinity. It appears from the

inscription of Skandagupta that the lake continued to supply water to

the

surrounding area until well into the Gupta period, eight hundred years

later.

Since it was the source of water for irrigation it must have been the

focal

point in the area. It is possible that in the Asokan period the city of

Girnar was closer to the lake than is the present site of Junagadh,

since

it would have been more practical to build the city as near the water

supply

as possible. Thus the hill on which the inscription was engraved was

the

centre of considerable activity.

GUJARRA (Minor Rock Edict). Gujarra is located

near Jhansi in the Datia district. It appears to have been on one of

the more important routes from the Ganges valley to the west coast,

possibly via Ujjain to Broach.

JATINGA-RAMESHWAR (Minor Rock Edict). This site

lies about three miles from Brahmagiri and the inscription belongs to

the Mysore group. It might originally have been a place of religious

interest since the inscription is within the precincts of the present

Jatinga-Rameshwar temple.

JAUGADA (Major Rock Edicts, similar to the Dhauli version).

The inclusion of the two Separate Edicts among the Jaugada series would

point to its being within Kalinga. It is now a ruined fort in the

Behrampur taluka of the Ganjam district. It is situated on the northern

bank of the Rishikulya river. The two Separate Edicts are addressed to

the mahamattas of Samapa, which was probably the name of the town in

the Mauryan period. The area covered by the ruins would suggest that

the town must have been a fairly large one, and the presence of the

fort might point to its having been a military centre. Its proximity to

the sea may have given it the added advantage of trade and

maritime activities.

KALSI (Major Rock Edicts). The town of Kalsi lies at the

junction of the

Tons and Yamuna rivers, which in itself would give it religious

significance. Recent excavations at the site have revealed a brick

altar inscribed with Sanskrit verses placed almost opposite the rock

inscription. The altar marked the site of the fourth aivamedha

of King Ailayarman during the third century A.D., indicating

thereby that the site was of some significance during that period. The

section of the Ganges plain lying between the foot-bilb of the

Himalayas and DelL has always been a strategic area. It controls the

entrance to the plain extending farther east. The main artery from

north-west India to the east also runs through this region, a road

system which was constantly maintained by Indian rulers and which until

recent years was called the Grand Trunk Road. KiWi being in the lower

hills of the Himalayas was possibly the controlling centre of this

area. It may also have bordered on the region inhabited by the Nibhaka

tribes. KANDANAR

(Bilingual Greek-Aramaic Inscription). The site of the inscription is

Shar-i-Quna, the old city of Kandahar in southern Afghanistan. It grew

to importance with the establishment of trade between the Hellenic

world and north-west India after the campaigns of Alexander had

catablishcd contact. Kandahar dominated the southern route from India

to area farther west. The presence of a sizeable Greek-speaking

population is attested to by

the fact that the edict is in Greek as well as Aramaic. LAMPAYA (Aramaic

Inscription attributed to Asoka). The Lampaka Aramaic Inscription now

in the Kabul museum was found at the site of Lampaka or Lambaka

generally identified with the modern Lamghan on the northern bank of

the Kabul river near Jalalabad. The inscription has been connected with

the Asokan period on the basis of the text referring to the setting up

of a pillar inscription by Devanampiya. LAURIYA-ARARAJ

(Pillar Edicts I-VI). The pillar is situated at this site in northern

Bibar. Its importance was probably due to the fact that the area

was associated with Buddhism and consequently had a religious

significance. It has also been suggested that the pillars in this

region marked the course of the royal road from Pataliputra to Nepal.

LAURIYA-NANDANGARH

(Pillar Edicts I-VI). This site is also in northern Bihar close to the

village of Nandangarh and to the above site. Some funerary mounds have

been discovered near the pillar which are believed to be of a

pre-Buddhist period, and it has been suggested that these may have been

the

ancient caityas of the Vrjjis referred to by the

Buddha. Recent excavations at one of these mounds produced a mixture of

contents, including punch-marked

coins, cast copper coins and terracotta figurines and clay sealings of

the

first century B.C.

MAHASTHAN (Pre-Asokan Mauryan Inscription). The inscription

was found at Mahasthangarh in the Bogra district of Bengal. The site

was probably

the headquarters of the local administrator (of the eastern section of

the

empire), its name during that period having been Pundranagara, as is

mentioned

in the inscription. The mahamatta of Pundranagara

is described as

being in charge of measures for famine relief. So far, excavations at

the site have revealed terracottas of the Sunga period. MANSEHRA (Major Rock

Edicts inscribed in Kharosthi). The site is that of a village in the

Hazara district of the north-west province of Pakistan. The site lay on

an important pilgrim route and was on the main road running from the

north-west frontier to Pataliputra and beyond. It was probably also

chosen because of its proximity to the northern border. MASKI (Minor Rock

Edict). Maski is located in the Raichur district of Hyderabad. An

identification of Maski with Suvarinagiri has been suggested but it is

unacceptable as will be clear in the consideration of the location of

Suvarnagiri.

NIGALI-SAGAR (Pillar Inscription). The purpose of erecting a

pillar at Nigali-Sagar is clear from the inscription. It was originally

situated

near the stupa of Buddha Konakarnana to record

first the enlargement

of the stupa and later Asoka's visit to the site.

Hsuan Tsang writes that he saw the pillar at the site of the Konakamana

stupa, six miles

from Kapilavastu, and that the pillar was surmounted by a carved lion.

Neither

the stupa nor the lion have so far been found,

since the pillar has

been removed from its original site. It is now near Rummindei, within

Nepalese territory.

PALKIGUNDU (Minor Rock Edict). Palkigundu lies at a distance

of four miles

from Gavimath. This site again belongs to the group around Brahmagiri.

PATALIPUTRA

(it is mentioned in one of the edicts, but surprisingly no

version of any of the edicts has been found in the neighbourhood). The

identification

of Pataliputra is certain and its geographical importance is well

known.

It was the capital of the Mauryan empire and at the time of Asoka had a

long history going back three centuries to the rise of Magadha. It is

referred to in literary sources both European and Indian and in the

edicts of Asoka.

Extensive excavations have shown that the city existed in certain sites

in and around modern Patna, probably by the river, the course of which

has

changed somewhat through the centuries. These excavations have

unearthed

the wooden palisade which surrounded the city of Pataliputra and which

was mentioned by Megasthenes. The pillared hall of the palace, similar

in

many ways to that of Persepolis and the arogya vihara

(sanatorium) have also been found, including various smaller objects

such as beads,

terracottas, coins, and pottery of a type usually associated with the

Mauryan

period.

RAJULA-MANDAGIRI (Minor Rock Edict). This site is included in

the southern group of inscriptions not far from Yerragudi. RAMPURYA (Pillar

Edicts I-VI). Rampurva is located thirty-two miles north of Bettiah in

northern Bihar. This area between the Ganges and the Himalayas, being

extremely fertile, was no doubt heavily populated and would thus be a

good region for edicts. In addition many of the places sacred to

Buddhism were in this area, and probably attracted pilgrims from all

over the country.

RUMMINDEI (Pillar Inscription). The Rummindei Pillar stands

near the

shrine of Rurnmindei just within the border of Nepal. The pillar was

erected

by Asoka to commemorate the birth-place of the Buddha, the Lumbini

grove.

It is thought that the pillar locates the actual place, Rummindei being

the modern name for Lumbini. According to Hsuan Tsang the pillar had a

horse capital which had been struck by lightning, and the pillar itself

had broken in the middle. Today the lower shaft of the pillar still

stands, the upper part having been split into two. There is no trace of

the capital. RUPANATH

(Minor Rock Edict). The location of Rupanath is on the Kaimur hills

near Saleemabad in Madhya Pradesh. The existence of a linga

now makes it a sacred place to Saivites. It may have been of religious

importance even in the Asokan period visited by Hindu pilgrims. It was

probably also along an important route. The route from Allahabad

(Prayaga) to Broach must

certainly have passed via Rupanath. From Allahabad there is a rise over

the Kaimur hills. Thence to Jabulpur would be a fairly easy stretch

along

the top of the plateau. Jabulpur lies close to the Narmada and from

here

the route has merely to follow the valley of the Narmada, arriving

directly

at Broach. An alternative route to Jabulpur may have been from

Pataliputra following the hills. This would explain in part the

importance of Sahasram.

SAHASRAM (Minor Rock Edict). It is located in the Shahabad

district of Bihar not far from the river Son, and ninety miles

south-west of Patna. The

site of the inscription is not far from the modern town of Sahasram.

The

edge of the Kaimur hills extends as far as this point. The existence of

a town here would confirm our view that there was a route from Patna,

up

the Son valley, across the plateau to Jubbalpur and then down the

Narmada valley to Broach. Sahasram would then be an important town on

the northern edge of the plateau, the outpost of Magadha before the

rather uncertain journey

across the plateau.

Base

of Asoka Pillar near Stupa 1 at Sanci (1)SANCHI

(Schism Edict). The modern name of Sanchi (or Sanci) was given

to

the site at a comparatively late period, since it was known as

Kakanadabota, from the Buddhist period until that of the Guptas. The

fragmentary surviving

inscription addressed to the dhamma-mahamattas and

undoubtedly the

Sangha, would point to Sanchi being an important Buddhist centre even

in

the Asokan period. It is apparent from archaeological evidence that the

stupa was enlarged and encased in its present

covering during the

Sunga period. No doubt the nearness of Sanchi to Ujjain gave it added

importance.

It is located near Bhopal, a few miles from Bhilsa, believed to be the

ancient

Vidisa. SARNATH

(Pillar Inscription, Schism Edict addressed to the mahamattas).

The location of Sarnath is three and a half miles from

Banares. This pillar is situated in a place of immense importance to

the Buddhists, since it was at Sarnath that Buddha preached his first

sermon. There appears

to have been an important monastery at Sarnath to the monks of which

this

edict was also directed. Hsuan Tsang writes that he saw the pillar

carrying

the inscription in front of a stupa said to have

been built by

Asoka. Apart from its religious importance, Sarnath was an important

centre

of trade. Being on the banks of the Ganges it had a fair control over

river traffic, which in those days of small boats, and not many roads

must have been of a considerable magnitude, despite the fact that the

town lay so far

up the river. Its position midway between Prayaga (Allahabad) and

Pataliputra

(Patna), meant that it must have acted as a point of exchange for goods

coming from either place. It appears to have been included among the

towns

reached by the main road running from the north-west to Pataliputra.

SHAHBAZGARHI

(Major Rock Edicts, inscribed in Kharosthi). The position of this site

is near Mardan in the Yusufzai area of Peshawar. An attempt has been

made to identify it with Arrian's description of Bazaria or Bazira.

According to Hsuan Tsang who calls it Po-lu-sha, the town was

constructed on the ruins of an ancient stone-built city, which would

confirm Arrian's description. The area around Shahbazgarhi has not yet

been excavated, therefore there is no confirmation from archaeological

sources. If there was a town at this site during the Asokan period, as

seems very probable, it was regarded as a frontier town, although not

actually on the frontier, with an importance similar to modern frontier

towns such as Peshawar. It would also have been linked to the main

highway. SIDDAPUR

(Minor Rock Edict). Siddapur lies one mile to the west of Brahmagiri,

and three miles south of the location of the Jatinga-Rameshwar

inscription. This group of inscriptions may have marked the southern

boundary of the empire,

in addition to their importance from other points of view which we have

already considered.

SOHGAURA (Copper-plate Inscription of the Mauryan period).

Sohgaura is located in the Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh.

SOPARA (Major Rock

Edict. Fragment of the 8th Edict). Sopara situated in the Thana

district of Bombay is the site of air ancient sea-port and town,

which no doubt was of importance during the reign of Asoka. It has been

identified with the Soupara of Ptolemy, described as a commercial

centre. Its ancient name was Supparaka. Sopara was an advantageous

position for an inscription since being a sea-port, the edicts would be

read by a constant stream of people coming and going. Furthermore,

foreigners visiting the port

would thus be made acquainted with the Dhamma of

Asoka. SUVARNAGIRI

(Minor Rock Edict). Suvarnagiri is the modern town of Kanakagiri south

of Maski in Hyderabad. The word means 'golden mountain' and this has

been connected with the ancient gold-mining area in Raichur which to

this day shows traces of ancient gold workings. Suvarnagiri was the

capital of the southern province of the empire. TAMRALIPTI. This

Mauryan sea-port is generally identified with the modern Tamluk in the

Midnapur district of Bengal. It was the principal port on

the mouth of the Ganges. The chronicles from Ceylon refer to it as

Timalitti. Fa-hsien writes that he embarked from Tamralipti for Ceylon.

Hsuan Tsang records having seen some stupas built

by Asoka at the same site. Apart from the sea traffic it controlled the

river traffic going up the Ganges.

Evidence of Mauryan occupation of Tamluk is available from

archaeological remains as well.

TAXILA. Taxila is mentioned frequently in the

literary sources on the Asokan period. It was the capital of the

northern province and one of the main cities of the empire.

Archaeological remains indicate a high degree of craft and culture. The

importance of Taxila can be accounted for by

various reasons. Its long history of contact with regions to the west

resulted

in its becoming a cosmopolitan centre. It was noted as a place of

learning

and was the residence of well-known teachers. It was the meeting point

of three major trade routes, the royal highway from Pataliputra, the

northwestern route through Bactria, Kapisa, and Puskalavati (Peshawar),

and the route from Kashmir and Central Asia, via Srinagar, Mansehra,

and the Haripur

valley. When the sea traffic with the West increased, the land route

through

Bactria and Peshawar became less important and this was one of the

factors which led later to the decline of Taxila. UJJAIN. Ujjain was the

capital of the western province of the empire. Apart from its political

importance, it was, similar to Taxila, the meeting point of many

routes. It was connected with the ports on the western coast,

particularly Broach and Sopara and controlled much of the trade that

passed through these ports. Some of the southern routes terminated at

Ujjain,

which was in turn linked with Pataliputra. Ptolemy refers to it as

0zene.

It was a Buddhist centre during the Mauryan period and judging by the

importance of its monasteries, had a long history as such. An

excavation of a mound at Kumhar Tekri four miles north-cast of Ujjain,

reveals that it was a

burial-cum-cremation ground dating back to before the third century

B.C.

Hsuan Tsang writes that not far from Ujjain was a stupa

constructed on the site where Asoka had built a 'Hell'. YERRAGUDI (Major

Rock Edicts and Minor Rock Edict). Yerragudi is situated eight miles

from Gooty on the southern border of the Kurnool district, and is

eighty miles north-east of Siddapur. Clearly it was a site of some

significance since both the Major and the Minor Edicts are to be found

here. No remains of a town have yet been discovered in the area, but it

is possible that a frontier town may have existed at the site, with a

route leading through it to the south Indian kingdoms.Footnote1)

asoka pilar: 3rd century BC - 1st century AD. Photo around 1920.

DigiBeeld nr.13991. Stupa 1 with remains of Asoka pillar, Sanci.;

Silver

Gelatine Developing Out Paper (OGZ); Kern Institute, Leiden University.

The picture is in the free domain. The picture of the base of the

pillar is cut from the picture of the stupa as a whole.

[Guest guest]

Dear Sir,

There is a Subarnagiri in Kandhamal District, Orissa.

K. Brobeck

[Guest guest]

>

> Dear Sir,

> There is a Subarnagiri in Kandhamal District, Orissa.

> K. Brobeck

>

 

 

Thanks for the post.

 

If some one has this book, please reproduce the pages 18-26,( which

speak of Subarnagiri)

 

An Historical Outline of Pre-British Chotanagpur

By Mangobinda Banerjee

 

regards,

 

Kishore patnaik