Former director of Deccan College, Pune, Prof K Padayya has observed that no serious analytical study of Emperor Ashoka’s rock edicts has been done so far.
Speaking after releasing ‘Karnatakadalli Puratatva Adhyayanagalu’ (Archaeological Studies in Karnataka)- a collection of articles brought out by Itihasa Darpana, edited by S K Aruni, deputy director of Indian Council of Historical Research here on Sunday, he said, “The rock edicts of Emperor Ashoka are found in two clusters.
While one is found along the Ganga Valley, another is found in Deccan regions, including Northern Karnataka. ” Paddayya spoked about the potential of archaeological research which can be carried out in Karnataka.
“A thorough research of the rock edicts will throw light on to whom did Ashoka address. In fact, the archaeological traces of Ashoka could be an excellent research topic. Karnataka still offers tremendous scope for archaeological research,” he said.
Lamenting that the archaeological research in Karnataka has confined to a few sites like Hampi, Paddayya said there are a number of forts and minor medieval sites in Karnataka.
No systematic work has been done on it. Even the pre-historic studies at Old-Stone Age sites near Bellary are not examined carefully, he lamented.
He wanted the department to work as a detective to study the archaeological sites which have submerged due to irrigation projects. Knowledge of archaeological research should not be confined to intellectual or academic endeavours, but it has to reach people, he noted.
He welcomed many amateurs who have shown interest in the study of Archeology. C B Patil, former deputy superintending archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India, said that the book will be a real archaeological source material for universities. Commissioner of Kannada and Culture Department K R Ramakrishna was present