In which of the following relief sculpture inscriptions is 'Ranyo Ashoka' (King Ashoka) mentioned along with the stone portrait of Ashoka?
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Answer: A. At Kanganahalli (near Sannati, Karnataka), a stone relief panel shows King Ashoka with his queens and carries the label 'Ranyo Ashoka' (King Ashoka) in Brahmi. It is the only known portrait of Ashoka with his name inscribed.
Watch for: Sanchi is linked strongly with Ashoka, so students pick it without knowing about the Kanganahalli relief.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Wrong because Sanchi has Ashokan pillar inscriptions but not a labelled portrait of Ashoka.
- C. Wrong because Shahbazgarhi has Ashoka's rock edicts in Kharosthi, not a portrait relief.
- D. Wrong because Sohgaura is known for a Mauryan copper plate, not an Ashoka portrait.
Source to check: Archaeological Survey of India excavation reports on Kanaganahalli (Sannati), Karnataka; Upinder Singh, A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India, chapter on the Mauryas
Answer from the official UPSC key. Written and fact-checked by AI against the official key. Spotted a mistake? Report it.