Maski
Maski Ashokan Edict · Masaki · Moskhi
Southern Neolithic (2500–1000) → Megalithic Iron (1000–300 BCE) → Mauryan → Satavahana·Southern Neolithic → Megalithic → Mauryan·🇮🇳 Karnataka, Raichur District, Lingasugur Taluk, Maski village on Maski hillock (Raichur Doab, Krishna–Tungabhadra interfluve), India
About
About Maski
Neolithic–Megalithic–Mauryan mound (c.2500 BCE–500 CE) at Maski, Raichur Doab — hillock settlement (12 ha) with Southern Neolithic grey ware, Megalithic iron burials and the decisive Maski Rock Edict (Minor Rock Edict) discovered 1915 by C. Beadon, the first to confirm 'Devanampiya Piyadasi = Ashoka' (identifying Asoka as author of all rock edicts). Excavated 1935–54 by B.K. Thapar, Maski sequence shows Neolithic ash-mound → Megalithic pit-circles → Mauryan edict 260 BCE on gneiss boulder → Satavahana brick structures. Iron smelting evidence and Russet-coated painted ware distinguish Raichur Neolithic from Brahmagiri.
Why it mattersRosetta of Ashoka — Maski edict first proved Devanampiya = Asoka, unlocking all Maurya inscriptions; Raichur gold Doab key Neolithic.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why Maski edict says 'Buddha Sakyamuni' unlike others?
Theories
- 01Raichur Doab as Mauryan gold frontier concurrent with Kolar
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.2500 BCE Neolithic; edict 260 BCE
- Period
- Southern Neolithic (2500–1000) → Megalithic Iron (1000–300 BCE) → Mauryan → Satavahana
- Culture
- Southern Neolithic → Megalithic → Mauryan
- Builders
- Neolithic herders → Megalithic iron users → Mauryan lapidaries
- Purpose
- Raichur Doab farming-herding hillock then Mauryan proclamation rock in gold-bearing Raichur
- Abandoned
- c.500 CE
- Rediscovered
- 1915 Beadon finds Maski edict establishing Ashoka identity; 1935 Thapar excavations
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.2500–1000 BCE
Neolithic ash-mound and grey ware; Russet-coated ware
c.1000–300 BCE
Megalithic pit burials with iron and BRW
1915
C. Beadon discovers Maski Minor Rock Edict solving Asoka identity — 'Buddha Sakya Muni' line
On the ground
Structures & features
15.9600° N · 76.6500° E · 430 m · 2 mapped features
Maski Minor Rock Edict Boulder
inscriptionMaski Minor Rock Edict on gneiss — 'Devanampiye Asoke' proving identity
15.9605° N · 76.6505° ENeolithic Ash-Mound Base
moundAsh-mound with grey ware and cattle bone at hill foot
15.9595° N · 76.6495° E
Gallery