Maski was studied initially by
Robert Bruce Foote in 1870 and 1888. In 1915, C. Beadon, a mining engineer, discovered Ashoka's rock edict here. In 1935–37, the archaeological department of
Hyderabad state explored this region and in 1954,
Amalananda Ghosh excavated this place on behalf of the
Archaeological Survey of India. {{blockquote Two and a half years [and somewhat more] (have passed) since I am a
Buddha-
Shakya. [A year and] somewhat more (has passed) [since] I have visited the
Samgha and have shown zeal. Those gods who formerly had been unmingled (with men) in
Jambudvipa, have how become mingled (with them). This object can be reached even by a lowly (person) who is devoted to morality. One must not think thus, — (viz.) that only an exalted (person) may reach this. Both the lowly and the exalted must be told : "If you act thus, this matter (will be) prosperous and of long duration, and will thus progress to one and a half. Way to edict.JPG|Location of the Edict Venue of edict.JPG|Entrance File:The Ashoka edict.JPG|The
Minor Rock Edict of Maski confirmed the association of the title "Devanampriya" with
Ashoka File:Maski Edict Grafix.jpg|Transcription of the inscription of Emperor Ashoka on the rock edict at Maski File:Ashoka in Brahmi script.jpg|The name
Ashoka in
Brahmi script, Maski
Minor Rock Edict, c.259 BCE Maski inscription Buddha.jpg|The word "Buddha" in the Maski inscription.
Brahmi script Chola-period inscription In 2013, historian Dr. Channabasappa Malkamdinni reported the discovery of a Chola-period inscription at Maski . The inscription, written in
Tamil script with portions in Sanskrit, records a military campaign involving the Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas against the Western Chalukya ruler
Jayasimha II in 1020 CE. It also refers to
Rajendra Chola I assuming the title “Parakesari Varman” following the campaign. The discovery was reported in regional media, and the
Tamil Nadu government subsequently sanctioned funds for further study of the inscription.
Other findings The excavations indicated that the region was occupied across four different cultural periods; Period I:
Neolithic-
Chalcolithic, Period II:
Megalithic, Period III: Early historical and Period IV:
Medieval. In Period I,
microliths and blades made of
agate,
chert,
carnelian and
opal are found. A
cylinder seal has also been found here. ==Transport==