Fresh Excavations at Ashoka-Era Buddhist Site in Ujjain

Recently, Madhya Pradesh began fresh excavations at Vaishya Tekri to investigate and restore ancient Buddhist monuments linked to Emperor Ashoka.

Vaishya Tekri is a large stupa mound located near Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.
Earlier excavations in 1938–39 unearthed large bricks and punch-marked coins suggesting a Mauryan-period origin.
Ashoka served as the viceroy of Avanti, with Ujjain as his headquarters before becoming emperor.
Local traditions associate Vaishya Tekri with Devi, believed to be Ashoka’s wife and mother of Mahinda and Sanghamitta.