Allahabad Pillar, Sandstone pillar of Ashoka in Allahabad Fort, India.
The Allahabad Pillar is a sandstone monument of Ashoka set within a fort, with inscribed surfaces on its sides and top. Different texts are carved into ancient scripts, preserving records from rulers of several dynasties and centuries.
Ashoka erected this stone in the 3rd century BCE to display his authority. Later rulers added their own carved records, layering the monument with inscriptions from different periods of Indian history.
The stone carries inscriptions left by different rulers, showing how successive dynasties chose to record their authority and deeds here. The markings reveal how important this site was to powerful leaders across centuries.
The monument is in a restricted zone and visitors must obtain permission in advance to view it. Daytime visits work best, and you should contact the authorities beforehand to learn about the approval process.
The Prashasti inscription on this stone helped scholars read and understand an ancient script for the first time. This breakthrough allowed researchers to decode many other old Indian texts that had remained a mystery.
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