The first question which concerns us in this paper is the problem 
of how these massive pillars were cut and transported from the place 
of origin (mainly from quarries of Chunar and Mathura) by Ashoka, 
their transportation to their new sites and installation therein. The sheer 
weight and volume of the monoliths would require much labour and 
use of technological devices. 

Some light on this issue is thrown by two 14 lh century contemporary 
sources of Firuzshah Tughluq: the anonymous Sirat-i Firuzshahi and 
the Tarikh-i Firuzshahi of Shams Siraj Afif.' 2 From both these texts it 
appears that Firuzshah in September 1367 ordered the use of capstan, 
pulleys, ropes and padding to remove and refix the pillars and large 
carts and boats to transfer them by road and river. To quote Afif on the 



996 IHC: Proceedings, 70th Session, 2009-10 

pillar being taken down and prepared for the journey from Topra to 
Delhi: