Consider the following pairs:
Site of Ashoka’s major rock edicts: Location in the State of
- Dhauli — Odisha
- Erragudi — Andhra Pradesh
- Jaugada — Madhya Pradesh
- Kalsi — Karnataka
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – Prelims 2022]
(a) Only one pair
(b) Only two pairs
(c) Only three pairs
(d) All four pairs
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
- Dhauli: Dhauli Hill, also known as Dhauligiri, is located on the left banks of the Daya River, a tributary of the Mahanadi River. It is situated about 10 km from Bhubaneswar in Odisha, India. Dhauli is famous for the “Dhauli Santi Stupa,” a peace pagoda monument that marks the site of the historic Kalinga War. It is an important early historical urban center with archaeological remains dating back to the 3rd century BC, particularly associated with Emperor Ashoka and his inscriptions.
- Erraguadi: Erraguadi is situated in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is known for the excavation of major and minor edicts of Emperor Ashoka, which contain the principles of Dhamma (Buddhist teachings). Although no remains of a town have been found, it is believed to have been an important frontier town during Ashoka’s reign, possibly serving as a route to South Indian kingdoms.
- Jaugada: Jaugada is a ruined fortress located in the Ganjam district of Odisha, India. Jaugada is situated 35 km northwest of Berhampur and 160 km southwest of Bhubaneswar. Similar to Dhauli, it also contains a Major Rock Edict of Emperor Ashoka.
- Kalsi: Kalsi is a small town in Uttarakhand, India, situated between Chakrata and Dehradun, near Dakpatthar on the banks of the Yamuna River. Kalsi is known for its historical significance and is home to one of the Ashoka’s Rock Edicts in North India. The edicts are inscribed in the Pali language.
Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.
