The Amravati stupa was brought to light by :

Question

Accepted Answer

The Amravati stupa, an important Buddhist monument located in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, India, was brought to light by Colonel Colin Mackenzie, who is referred to as Colonel Mekenji in the options. Here is a detailed explanation supporting why Option 4 is the correct answer:

1. **Colonel Mekenji (Colonel Colin Mackenzie):** Colonel Colin Mackenzie was a British army officer and surveyor who is credited with the discovery and documentation of the Amravati stupa in the early 19th century. As the first Surveyor General of India, Mackenzie conducted extensive surveys and studies of various historical sites in India. His work at Amravati involved detailed documentation and collection of artifacts, which played a crucial role in bringing the stupa to the attention of the scholarly world. Therefore, Option 4 is correct because it acknowledges Mackenzie's pivotal role in the rediscovery and study of the Amravati stupa.

2. **Sir John Marshal:** Sir John Marshall was a prominent archaeologist known for his work in India, particularly for his role in the excavation of the Indus Valley Civilization sites like Harappa and Mohenjo-daro. However, he was not involved in the discovery or initial documentation of the Amravati stupa, which predates his time in India.

3. **Major Kaul:** There is no historical record or evidence linking Major Kaul to the discovery or documentation of the Amravati stupa. This option does not align with the known historical facts regarding the stupa's rediscovery.

4. **A. Ghosh:** A. Ghosh was an Indian archaeologist known for his contributions to Indian archaeology in the mid-20th century. While he made significant contributions to the field, he was not involved in the initial discovery or study of the Amravati stupa, which occurred much earlier.

In conclusion, Colonel Mekenji (Colonel Colin Mackenzie) is the correct answer because he was the key figure responsible for bringing the Amravati stupa to light through his surveys and documentation efforts. The other options do not have any historical basis for being associated with the discovery of the stupa.