Tosali orToshali was an ancient city in the present dayOdisha state in easternIndia. It was the capital of the eastern province of theKalinga Kingdom.[1] While some scholars tried to identify this ancient city withDhauli, 7 km away fromBhubaneshwar,[2] other scholars were inclined to identify this city with Shishupalgarh, 5 km away from Bhubaneshwar.[3]
Recent archaeological excavations showing fort ruins and major ancient era weapons, inscriptions and presence of Kushan era gold coins gives credence to the sites at Radhanagar nearBrahmani river inJajpur district to be the most likely location of Tosali.[4][5]
In 1948, the first excavation in Shishupalgarh was conducted by anArchaeological Survey of India team led by B.B. Lal, followed by another in 1950. These excavations led to the discovery of an ancient fortified urban centre in Shishupalgarh. The mud fortification, constructed in the early 2nd century BCE is almost square shaped and about 1.2 km each side. The evidence of habitation outside the fortified area between 300 BCE to 350 CE was also found during the excavations.[6]
Since 2001, a joint team from the Deccan College,Pune and the University of California started excavating this site again. So far, the major findings of this team include eighteen stone pillars.[7]
The 10 Asokanstupas described by the Chinese travellerXuanzang in his travel accountsGreat Tang Records on the Western Regions were discovered nearby. The site matches the accounts made by Hieun Tsang, which he mentions that area here EmperorAshoka built these stupas to commemorateGautama Buddha's visit and preaching.[8]
20°13′35.9″N85°51′11.0″E / 20.226639°N 85.853056°E /20.226639; 85.853056
