The correct answer is (a) Asoka.
Asoka was the third emperor of the Mauryan Empire in India. He is known for his military conquests, but also for his Buddhist reforms and his promotion of non-violence. He is considered one of the greatest emperors in Indian history.
Asoka’s inscriptions are a valuable source of information about his reign and his policies. One of his inscriptions, the Lumbini Pillar Edict, confirms that Lumbini was the birthplace of Gautama Buddha.
The other options are incorrect. Kanishka was a Kushan emperor who ruled in the 2nd century CE. Harsha was an Indian emperor who ruled in the 7th century CE. Dharmapala was a Pala emperor who ruled in the 8th century CE.
Lumbini is a town in Nepal that is considered to be the birthplace of Gautama Buddha. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular pilgrimage destination for Buddhists.