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{{About|the town|the Finnish rapper|Maski (rapper)}} | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}} | {{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}} | ||
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| name = Maski | | name = Maski | ||
| settlement_type = Town | | settlement_type = Town | ||
| image_skyline = | | image_skyline = Maski city.jpg | ||
| image_size = | | image_size = | ||
| image_caption = A view of Maski | | image_caption = A view of Maski atop Mallikarjuna temple hill | ||
| nickname = | | nickname = | ||
| pushpin_map = India#India Karnataka | | pushpin_map = India#India Karnataka | ||
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| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]] | | subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]] | ||
| subdivision_name1 = [[Karnataka]] | | subdivision_name1 = [[Karnataka]] | ||
| subdivision_name2 = [[Raichur district]] | | subdivision_name2 = [[Raichur district|Raichur]] | ||
| established_title = < | | established_title = Settled | ||
| | | established_date = [[2nd millennium BC]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/researchers-find-evidence-of-a-4000-year-old-human-settlement-in-karnatakas-maski-3634072#google_vignette|title=Researchers find evidence of a 4000 year old human settlement in Karnataka's Maski |publisher=Deccan Herald |date=17 July 2025}}</ref> | ||
| founder = | | founder = | ||
| named_for = | | named_for = | ||
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}} | }} | ||
'''Maski''' is a town and an [[archaeological site]] in the [[Raichur district]] of the state of [[Karnataka]], [[India]].<ref name="ama">Amalananda Ghosh (1990), p282</ref> It lies on the bank of the Maski river which is a tributary of the [[Tungabhadra]]. Maski derives its name from Mahasangha or | '''Maski''' is a town and an [[archaeological site]] in the [[Raichur district]] of the state of [[Karnataka]], [[India]].<ref name="ama">Amalananda Ghosh (1990), p282</ref> It lies on the bank of the Maski river which is a tributary of the [[Tungabhadra]]. Maski derives its name from Mahasangha or Masangipura . The site came into prominence with the discovery of a [[Edicts of Ashoka|minor rock edict]] of [[Emperor Ashoka]] by C. Beadon in 1915.<ref name="vrr">V. R. Ramachandra Dikshitar (1993), p41</ref> It was the first edict of [[Emperor Ashoka]] that contained the name ''Ashoka'' in it instead of the earlier edicts that referred him as ''Devanampriya''.<ref name="dpa">O. C. Handa (1994), p197</ref><ref name="vin">Vincent Arthur Smith (1998), p5</ref> This edict was important to conclude that many edicts found earlier in the Indian sub-continent in the name of ''Devanampiye piyadasi'', all belonged to [[Emperor Ashoka]].<ref name="dpa"/> The edict is etched on a rock-face of ''Durgada-gudda'', one of the [[gneiss]]ic outcrops that are present in the site. | ||
Maski is also the place on the Raichur Doab which was also under the hegemony of the imperial [[Chola]] empire and it was here that [[Rajendra Chola I]] defeated [[Jayasimha II (Western Chalukya dynasty)|Jayasimha II]], the [[Western Chalukya]] ruler in battle in 1019-1020 AD.<ref name="A History of South India">(2003), K.A.Nilakanta Sastri, p. 166</ref> | Maski is also the place on the Raichur Doab which was also under the hegemony of the imperial [[Chola]] empire and it was here that [[Rajendra Chola I]] defeated [[Jayasimha II (Western Chalukya dynasty)|Jayasimha II]], the [[Western Chalukya]] ruler in battle in 1019-1020 AD.<ref name="A History of South India">(2003), K.A.Nilakanta Sastri, p. 166</ref> | ||
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The Maski version of [[Minor Rock Edict]] No.1 was historically especially important in that it confirmed the association of the title "Devanampriya" ("Beloved-of-the-Gods") with [[Ashoka]]:<ref name=CSH>{{cite book |title=The Cambridge Shorter History of India |publisher=CUP Archive |page=42 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9_48AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA42 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Gupta |first1=Subhadra Sen |title=Ashoka |date=2009 |publisher=Penguin UK |isbn=9788184758078 |page=13 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L5ru08et_ZAC&pg=PT13 |language=en}}</ref> | The Maski version of [[Minor Rock Edict]] No.1 was historically especially important in that it confirmed the association of the title "Devanampriya" ("Beloved-of-the-Gods") with [[Ashoka]]:<ref name=CSH>{{cite book |title=The Cambridge Shorter History of India |publisher=CUP Archive |page=42 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9_48AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA42 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Gupta |first1=Subhadra Sen |title=Ashoka |date=2009 |publisher=Penguin UK |isbn=9788184758078 |page=13 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L5ru08et_ZAC&pg=PT13 |language=en}}</ref> | ||
{{ | {{blockquote | ||
|[A proclamation] of | |[A proclamation] of [[Devanampriya|Beloved of the Gods]] [[Ashoka|Asoka]].<br> | ||
Two and a half years [and somewhat more] (have passed) since I am a Buddha- | Two and a half years [and somewhat more] (have passed) since I am a [[Buddhist|Buddha]]-[[Shakya]].<br> | ||
[A year and] somewhat more (has passed) [since] I have visited the Samgha and have shown zeal.<br> | [A year and] somewhat more (has passed) [since] I have visited the [[Samgha]] and have shown zeal.<br> | ||
Those gods who formerly had been unmingled (with men) in Jambudvipa, have how become mingled (with them).<br> | Those gods who formerly had been unmingled (with men) in [[Jambudvipa]], have how become mingled (with them).<br> | ||
This object can be reached even by a lowly (person) who is devoted to morality.<br> | This object can be reached even by a lowly (person) who is devoted to morality.<br> | ||
One must not think thus, — (viz.) that only an exalted (person) may reach this.<br> | One must not think thus, — (viz.) that only an exalted (person) may reach this.<br> | ||
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<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
Way to edict.JPG|Location of the Edict | Way to edict.JPG|Location of the Edict | ||
Venue of edict.JPG|Entrance | Venue of edict.JPG|Entrance | ||
File:The Ashoka edict.JPG|The [[Minor Rock Edict]] of Maski confirmed the association of the title "Devanampriya" with [[Ashoka]] | File:The Ashoka edict.JPG|The [[Minor Rock Edict]] of Maski confirmed the association of the title "Devanampriya" with [[Ashoka]] | ||
File:Maski Edict Grafix.jpg|Transcription of the inscription of Emperor Ashoka on the rock edict at Maski | File:Maski Edict Grafix.jpg|Transcription of the inscription of Emperor Ashoka on the rock edict at Maski | ||
File:Ashoka in Brahmi script.jpg|The name ''Ashoka'' in [[Brahmi script]], Maski [[Minor Rock Edict]], c.259 BCE | File:Ashoka in Brahmi script.jpg|The name ''Ashoka'' in [[Brahmi script]], Maski [[Minor Rock Edict]], c.259 BCE | ||
Maski inscription Buddha.jpg|The word "Buddha" in the Maski inscription. [[Brahmi script]] | Maski inscription Buddha.jpg|The word "Buddha" in the Maski inscription. [[Brahmi script]] | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
=== Chola-period inscription === | |||
In 2013, historian Dr. Channabasappa Malkamdinni reported the discovery of a Chola-period inscription at Maski . The inscription, written in [[Tamil script]] with portions in Sanskrit, records a military campaign involving the Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas against the Western Chalukya ruler [[Jayasimha II (Western Chalukya dynasty)|Jayasimha II]] in 1020 CE. It also refers to [[Rajendra Chola I]] assuming the title “Parakesari Varman” following the campaign. The discovery was reported in regional media, and the [[Tamil Nadu]] government subsequently sanctioned funds for further study of the inscription.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Paniyadi |first=Gururaj A. |date=2025-08-30 |title=Maski: Karnataka’s Small Town With a 6,000-year Civilisational Legacy |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/southern-states/karnataka/maski-karnatakas-small-town-with-a-6000-year-civilisational-legacy-1900518 |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=www.deccanchronicle.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Buradikatti |first=Kumar |date=2023-12-01 |title=Maski that unmasked the mysterious Devanampiye and established him as Emperor Ashoka |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/maski-that-unmasked-the-mysterious-devanampiye-and-established-him-as-emperor-ashoka/article67562033.ece |access-date=2026-02-20 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> | |||
===Other findings=== | ===Other findings=== | ||
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==Transport== | ==Transport== | ||
Maski is well connected by road. It lies on | Maski is well connected by road. It lies on [[Bengaluru]]-[[Kalaburagi]] road. Maski is around 425 km from Bengaluru, 80 km from Raichur and 24 km from Sindhanuru. Maski can be reached by [[Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation|KSRTC]] buses from all Major towns and cities in Karnataka. Raichur Junction, 80 km away, is the nearest railway station and Gangavathi Approximate driving distance between Gangavathi and Maski is 74 km or 46 miles. | ||
==Image gallery== | ==Image gallery== | ||
<gallery widths="200px" heights="150px" class="center" caption=""> | <gallery widths="200px" heights="150px" class="center" caption=""> | ||
File:Maski government college.jpg | File:Maski government college.jpg|Devanampriya Ashoka government first grade college and post graduation study centre, Maski | ||
File:Maski Sunset.jpg|Maski sunset view | File:Maski Sunset.jpg|Maski sunset view | ||
File:Maski Malllikarjun Temple.jpg|Maski Mallikarjun Temple | File:Maski Malllikarjun Temple.jpg|Maski Mallikarjun Temple | ||
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* [[Raichur]] | * [[Raichur]] | ||
* [[Hampi]] | * [[Hampi]] | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| Line 119: | Line 121: | ||
* {{cite book |last= Caspers|first= During E. C. L.|editor=Johanna Engelberta, Lohuizen-De Leeuw|title= South Asian Archaeology 1975: Papers from the Third International|orig-year=1979|year= 1979|chapter=Statuary in the round from Dilmun|publisher= BRILL|isbn=90-04-05996-2}} | * {{cite book |last= Caspers|first= During E. C. L.|editor=Johanna Engelberta, Lohuizen-De Leeuw|title= South Asian Archaeology 1975: Papers from the Third International|orig-year=1979|year= 1979|chapter=Statuary in the round from Dilmun|publisher= BRILL|isbn=90-04-05996-2}} | ||
{{refend}} | {{refend}} | ||
{{Raichur}} | {{Raichur district}} | ||
[[Category:Cities and towns in Raichur district]] | [[Category:Cities and towns in Raichur district]] | ||
[[Category:Archaeological sites in Karnataka]] | [[Category:Archaeological sites in Karnataka]] | ||
[[Category:Taluks of Karnataka]] | |||
[[Category:Taluks in Raichur district]] | |||
Latest revision as of 13:53, 15 March 2026
Maski | |
|---|---|
Town | |
 A view of Maski atop Mallikarjuna temple hill | |
  Maski Location in Karnataka, India Maski (Karnataka) | |
| Coordinates: 15°58′N 76°39′E / 15.96°N 76.65°E | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Karnataka |
| District | Raichur |
| Settled | 2nd millennium BC[1] |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Kannada |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 584124 |
| Vehicle registration | KA 36 |
| Website | www |
Maski is a town and an archaeological site in the Raichur district of the state of Karnataka, India.[2] It lies on the bank of the Maski river which is a tributary of the Tungabhadra. Maski derives its name from Mahasangha or Masangipura . The site came into prominence with the discovery of a minor rock edict of Emperor Ashoka by C. Beadon in 1915.[3] It was the first edict of Emperor Ashoka that contained the name Ashoka in it instead of the earlier edicts that referred him as Devanampriya.[4][5] This edict was important to conclude that many edicts found earlier in the Indian sub-continent in the name of Devanampiye piyadasi, all belonged to Emperor Ashoka.[4] The edict is etched on a rock-face of Durgada-gudda, one of the gneissic outcrops that are present in the site.
Maski is also the place on the Raichur Doab which was also under the hegemony of the imperial Chola empire and it was here that Rajendra Chola I defeated Jayasimha II, the Western Chalukya ruler in battle in 1019-1020 AD.[6]
Excavation history[edit | edit source]
Maski was studied initially by Robert Bruce Foote in 1870 and 1888. In 1915, C. Beadon, a mining engineer, discovered Ashoka's rock edict here. In 1935–37, the archaeological department of Hyderabad state explored this region and in 1954, Amalananda Ghosh excavated this place on behalf of the Archaeological Survey of India.[2]
Minor Rock Edict of Ashoka[edit | edit source]
The Maski version of Minor Rock Edict No.1 was historically especially important in that it confirmed the association of the title "Devanampriya" ("Beloved-of-the-Gods") with Ashoka:[7][8]
[A proclamation] of Beloved of the Gods Asoka.
Two and a half years [and somewhat more] (have passed) since I am a Buddha-Shakya.
[A year and] somewhat more (has passed) [since] I have visited the Samgha and have shown zeal.
Those gods who formerly had been unmingled (with men) in Jambudvipa, have how become mingled (with them).
This object can be reached even by a lowly (person) who is devoted to morality.
One must not think thus, — (viz.) that only an exalted (person) may reach this.
Both the lowly and the exalted must be told : "If you act thus, this matter (will be) prosperous and of long duration, and will thus progress to one and a half.— Maski Minor Rock Edict of Ashoka.[9]
-
Location of the Edict -
Entrance -
The Minor Rock Edict of Maski confirmed the association of the title "Devanampriya" with Ashoka -
Transcription of the inscription of Emperor Ashoka on the rock edict at Maski -
The name Ashoka in Brahmi script, Maski Minor Rock Edict, c.259 BCE -
The word "Buddha" in the Maski inscription. Brahmi script
Chola-period inscription[edit | edit source]
In 2013, historian Dr. Channabasappa Malkamdinni reported the discovery of a Chola-period inscription at Maski . The inscription, written in Tamil script with portions in Sanskrit, records a military campaign involving the Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas against the Western Chalukya ruler Jayasimha II in 1020 CE. It also refers to Rajendra Chola I assuming the title “Parakesari Varman” following the campaign. The discovery was reported in regional media, and the Tamil Nadu government subsequently sanctioned funds for further study of the inscription.[10][11]
Other findings[edit | edit source]
The excavations indicated that the region was occupied across four different cultural periods; Period I: Neolithic-Chalcolithic, Period II: Megalithic, Period III: Early historical and Period IV: Medieval. In Period I, microliths and blades made of agate, chert, carnelian and opal are found.[2] Ornamental beads of agate, coral, shell and other materials are also found. Dull-grey ware and painted-buff ware pottery are found, some of which were painted with linear patterns. Animal remains of cattle, buffalo, sheep and goat are also found.[2] Period II saw the introduction of iron and five different forms of burials were discovered. Lances, ferrules, daggers and arrowheads were found, apart from beads of gold and terracotta objects.[2] The pottery of Period II consisted of the megalithic red-and-black ware, all-black ware and red-slipped ware, some of which had graffiti on them. Coins were discovered in the Period III which also saw the use of Russet-coated painted ware. The earliest specimens of Indian glass were also discovered at Maski.[12] A cylinder seal has also been found here.[13]
Transport[edit | edit source]
Maski is well connected by road. It lies on Bengaluru-Kalaburagi road. Maski is around 425 km from Bengaluru, 80 km from Raichur and 24 km from Sindhanuru. Maski can be reached by KSRTC buses from all Major towns and cities in Karnataka. Raichur Junction, 80 km away, is the nearest railway station and Gangavathi Approximate driving distance between Gangavathi and Maski is 74 km or 46 miles.
Image gallery[edit | edit source]
-
Devanampriya Ashoka government first grade college and post graduation study centre, Maski -
Maski sunset view -
Maski Mallikarjun Temple -
Maski at night -
Maski in monsoon -
Maski canal view at night -
Maski panoramic view
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Researchers find evidence of a 4000 year old human settlement in Karnataka's Maski". Deccan Herald. 17 July 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Amalananda Ghosh (1990), p282
- ↑ V. R. Ramachandra Dikshitar (1993), p41
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 O. C. Handa (1994), p197
- ↑ Vincent Arthur Smith (1998), p5
- ↑ (2003), K.A.Nilakanta Sastri, p. 166
- ↑ The Cambridge Shorter History of India. CUP Archive. p. 42.
- ↑ Gupta, Subhadra Sen (2009). Ashoka. Penguin UK. p. 13. ISBN 9788184758078.
- ↑ Inscriptions of Asoka. New Edition by E. Hultzsch (in संस्कृतम्). 1925. pp. 174–175.
- ↑ Paniyadi, Gururaj A. (30 August 2025). "Maski: Karnataka's Small Town With a 6,000-year Civilisational Legacy". www.deccanchronicle.com. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ↑ Buradikatti, Kumar (1 December 2023). "Maski that unmasked the mysterious Devanampiye and established him as Emperor Ashoka". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
- ↑ Manfred G. Raschke (1978), p1029
- ↑ E. C. L. During Caspers (1975), p64
- Ghosh, Amalananda (1990) [1990]. An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology. BRILL. ISBN 90-04-09262-5.
- Smith, Vincent Arthur (1998) [1998]. Aśoka: The Buddhist Emperor of India. Asian Educational Services. ISBN 81-206-1303-1.
- Handa, O. C. (1994) [1994]. Buddhist Art and Antiquities of Himachal Pradesh. Indus Publishing. ISBN 81-85182-99-X.
- Dikshitar, Ramachandra V. R. (1993) [1993]. The Mauryan Polity. Motilal Banarsidass Publications. ISBN 81-208-1023-6.
- Raschke, Manfred G. (1978) [1978]. "New Studies in Roman Commerce with the East". In Hildegard Temporini, Wolfgang Haase (ed.). Aufstieg und Niedergang der römischen Welt. Geschichte und Kultur Roms. Walter de Gruyter. ISBN 3-11-007175-4.
- Caspers, During E. C. L. (1979) [1979]. "Statuary in the round from Dilmun". In Johanna Engelberta, Lohuizen-De Leeuw (ed.). South Asian Archaeology 1975: Papers from the Third International. BRILL. ISBN 90-04-05996-2.