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Born on 9 December 1862 in Hannover, Germany, Oertel left for British-ruled India at an early age. Graduating from the Thomason College of Civil Engineering (known today as IIT-Roorkee), he was first employed as an engineer for railway and building construction by the Indian Public Board from 1883 to 1887.
However, Oertel is best known for the excavation he carried out on Sarnath from December 1904 to April 1905. Writing for Live History India, Janhavi Patgaonkar notes how “in the early 19th century, Sarnath began to attract the attention of scholars for its archaeological significance”.
According to Patgaonkar, Oertel unearthed “some of the most significant discoveries ever made” in Sarnath. These include “476 sculptural and architectural remains, along with 41 inspirctions”. She adds, “A figure of a Bodhisattva dated to Kushana King Kanishka (r. 78-144 CE), the foundation of a Sangharam (monastery), several images of Buddhist and Hindu deities, and Ashoka pillar bearing the edicts (inscriptions) of Mauryan Emperor Ashoka (3rd BCE)”.
Of course, the most significant discovery was the Lion Capital which crowned an Ashokan pillar (hence the term ‘capital’). This particular pillar was one among the many commissioned by Ashoka across the Indian subcontinent used to spread the message of Buddha after he had converted to Buddhism. The Lion Capital discovered in Sarnath is “among only seven capitals of Ashokan pillars that have survived”, notes Patgaonkar.
Here’s how the ‘Archaeological Survey of India: Annual Report 1904–1905′ describes this finding, “The capital measures 7’ [feet] in height. It was originally one piece of stone, but is now broken across just above the bell…it is surmounted by four magnificent lions standing back to back and in their middle was a large stone wheel, the sacred dharmacakra symbol.”
The report goes on to add, “It apparently had 32 spokes, while the four smaller wheels below the lions have only 24 spokes. The lions stand on a drum with four animal figures carved on it, viz., a lion, an elephant, a bull, and a horse, placed between four wheels. The upper part of the capital is supported by an elegantly shaped Persepolitan bell-shaped member. The lion and other animal figures are wonderfully life-like and the carving of every detail is perfect.”
Describing its majesty, the report noted, “Altogether this capital is undoubtedly the finest piece of sculpture of its kind so far discovered in India…Considering the age of the column, which was erected more than 2,000 years ago, it is marvellous how well preserved it is. The carving is as clear as the day it was cut and the only damage it has suffered is from wilful destruction.”
The Lion Capital was found buried near the Dhamek Stupa at the site. While the pillar today stands in the location where it was found, the Lion Capital was shifted to the Sarnath Museum.
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