Which one of the following political centers finds a mention in Ashokan inscriptions?
B) Kaushambi: Ashokan pillar inscriptions, including the Queen’s Edict, have been found at Kaushambi (near modern Prayagraj). The edicts found here are addressed to the Mahamatras (officials) of Kaushambi, indicating it was a significant administrative center.
C) Suvarnagiri: Suvarnagiri was a major provincial capital in the southern part of the Mauryan Empire. It is explicitly mentioned in the Minor Rock Edict I as the seat from which instructions were issued to the Mahamatras of Isila (another town). This clearly identifies Suvarnagiri as a key political/administrative center.
D) Kandahar: Ashokan inscriptions, including bilingual inscriptions (Greek and Aramaic) and portions of Major Rock Edicts, are located at Kandahar in Afghanistan. This indicates Kandahar was a significant city and administrative center in the western part of the empire where Ashoka’s policies were promulgated.
Given that Kaushambi, Suvarnagiri, and Kandahar were all significant centers mentioned in Ashokan inscriptions, there might be an intended best fit among the options. Suvarnagiri is consistently listed as one of the four main provincial capitals of the Mauryan Empire (along with Taxila, Ujjayini, and Tosali), making its mention as a political center very prominent in administrative contexts within the edicts.