The recently created Meerut circle of the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) has discovered remains identified as a Mauryan-period brick platform dating back to over 2000 years ago. Importantly, this platform could hold the vital clue for the “lost” Ashoka Pillar site from the 3rd Century BCE.
According to Meerut circle superintendent archaeologist Brajsundar Gadnayak, a major portion of the construction is in the shape of a 30m by 35m platform at Vikas Puri. As the bricks are characteristic of the age, the ancient site is probably from the Mauryan period. The brick’s proportions are unique to the Mauryan era, measuring 42cm × 26cm x 8cm.
“We have also found pottery and ceramics belonging to those times,’” Gadnayak said, adding that an old canal channel has also been found here, which most likely connects to the Kali river.
Throwing light on this discovery, historian Dr KK Sharma said: “The Gazetteer (of 1904) mentions the reinstallation of Meerut’s pillar at the Delhi Ridge but we have not been able to find the original site here.”
The Meerut Gazetteer mentioned by him states: “The earliest historical connection which can be made with the (Meerut) district is the erection of an Asoka pillar near Meerut … On the ridge at Dehli (Delhi) now stands a pillar which, according to Shams-i-Siraj, was removed from near the town of Meerut and set up in the Kushak Shikar or hunting palace. The site occupied by the pillar has not been identified.”
