An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c45.330

v2.c45.330

Aśoka's Dharmarājikā, with its subsequent accretions, was ruthlessly despoiled in 1794 by a local person for its bricks. In the course of the operation was found a green marble relic casket [12.8] within a sandstone box. Later on many a person, lured by rich finds of sculptures, tried their spade amongst the ruins and collected an immense number of images. In 1835-6 A. Cunningham excavated at the Chaukhandi and Dhamekh Stūpas (below) and a temple and monastery and recovered the stone box but not the relic casket found in 1794. His left-over proceeds, 50 or 60 cartloads of them, were thrown into the river Varuna to serve as a breakwater to the piers of a bridge to be constructed across the river. Cunningham revisited Sarnath many times thereafter (*ASI—AR*, 1, p. 103, p. 121; 8, p. 16; 11, p. 181). In 1851-2 M. Kittoe exposed numerous *stūpas* and a monastery. Somewhat more systematic work was done in 1904-5 by F.C. Oertel who exposed the main shrine and the pillar of Aśoka with its capital and collected sculptures and inscriptions (*ASI—AR 1904-5*, p. 59).