Understanding the Ashoka Pillar Movement

The question asks about the historical text that contains a painted illustration depicting the moving of the Ashoka Pillar from Topra. Ashoka Pillars are significant historical artifacts from the Mauryan Empire, and their relocation centuries later is a notable event in medieval Indian history. This particular event involved Sultan Firuz Shah Tughlaq, who moved the Ashoka Pillar from Topra (in Haryana) to Delhi in the 14th century.

Analyzing the Options

Let's examine the given options to identify the source that would likely contain such an illustration.

• Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi: This is a historical work written by Ziauddin Barani and Shams-i-Siraj Afif, covering the history of the Delhi Sultanate, including the reign of Firuz Shah Tughlaq. While it describes the events of Firuz Shah's reign, including his building activities and possibly the moving of the Ashoka Pillar, it is primarily a historical chronicle.
• Tarikh-i-Shahi: This title is less specific and could refer to several historical texts. Without further context, it's difficult to ascertain its contents or relevance to the Ashoka Pillar illustration.
• Sirat-i-Firuz Shahi: This is another historical text focusing on the reign of Firuz Shah Tughlaq. Written anonymously (possibly by Firuz Shah himself or someone close to him), it details various aspects of his rule, including his construction projects and administrative reforms. Historical sources suggest this text is known to contain illustrations, including one depicting the complex process of moving the Ashoka Pillar.
• Akbar Nama: This is the official chronicle of the reign of Emperor Akbar, written by Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak in the Mughal period, much later than the Tughlaq period. It focuses on Akbar's life and times and would not contain contemporary illustrations of events from the Delhi Sultanate era like the moving of the Ashoka Pillar by Firuz Shah Tughlaq.

Identifying the Source of the Illustration

Historical accounts and studies of illuminated manuscripts from the Delhi Sultanate period indicate that texts like the Sirat-i-Firuz Shahi were sometimes illustrated. The detailed description of the engineering feat involved in transporting the massive Ashoka Pillar from Topra to Delhi was a remarkable event of Firuz Shah Tughlaq's reign. It is recorded that the pillar was wrapped in raw hides, placed on a carriage with 42 wheels, and pulled by thousands of men to the Yamuna river, then transported by boat to Delhi.

The text that specifically includes painted illustrations, including one of this very event—the moving of the Ashoka Pillar at Topra to Delhi—is the Sirat-i-Firuz Shahi. This manuscript provides a vivid depiction of the technical challenge and scale of the operation.

Conclusion

Based on historical records regarding illustrated manuscripts detailing the reign of Firuz Shah Tughlaq and significant events like the relocation of the Ashoka Pillar, the painted illustration of the moving of the Ashoka Pillar at Topra is found in Sirat-i-Firuz Shahi.

Revision Table: Key Texts on Firuz Shah Tughlaq

Here's a quick look at important texts related to Firuz Shah Tughlaq:

Additional Information: Ashoka Pillars and Firuz Shah Tughlaq

The relocation of the Ashoka Pillars by Firuz Shah Tughlaq was a significant undertaking showcasing the engineering capabilities of the time. Firuz Shah was known for his interest in history and his extensive building projects, including canals, towns, and mosques. He moved two Ashoka Pillars to Delhi: one from Topra (now in Haryana) and another from Meerut (in Uttar Pradesh). The pillar from Topra is located on the Ridge in Delhi, and the one from Meerut is located in the complex of the Firuz Shah Kotla.

The Ashoka Pillars themselves are monumental columns erected by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE. They are famous for the edicts inscribed on them, which propagated Ashoka's policy of Dhamma (righteousness).