‘Clues of Buddhist link between India and ancient Egypt’

LUCKNOW: Besides trade, ancient Egypt was also linked to India with religion, according to a Lucknow-based archaeologist who reached the conclusion after examining the historical relics in India and Egypt.

“King Ashoka, who was ruling major parts of the country and became Buddhist after the battle of Kalinga, sent his emissaries to Egypt to educate people about Buddhism,” claimed the archaeologist Arsh Ali. While his contribution in the field is big, Arsh Ali is still a minor at just 17 years of age.

Early Egyptian history always intrigued Ali who decided to look into the proselytism of Egyptians by Buddhist emissaries from

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King Ashoka, who became Buddhist after the battle of Kalinga, sent his emissaries to Egypt to educate people about Buddhism

ARSH ALI, archaeologist

Ashoka. “I found a clue of movement of Buddhism to Egypt from an Ashokan pillar in Uttarakhand. The pillar had names of Egyptian pharaohs. On further examination of historical evidence of King Ashoka’s period, I got more clues about this link,” said Ali.

He discussed his findings with senior archaeologists and experts of Buddhist religion. For further confirmation, he decided to visit Egypt in search of more clues. He planned a trip to Cairo and the ancient city of Alexandria. He managed to see the relics of the same period with the support of the Indian embassy in Egypt.

“I managed to find some clues in relics and coins of that period which show clear links with Buddhism,” he claimed Ali.

A student of Class 12, Arsh Ali is pursuing his studies in national open school while dedicating the remaining time to archaeological studies. “The findings in Egypt and India give clear indication of a religious connection between the countries. Buddhist experts have also affirmed the findings,” claimed Ali. “I am writing a paper on the findings which is to be published in the National Museum journal,” he said.