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Charumati (Brahmi: 𑀘𑀸 𑀭𑀼𑀼 𑀫𑀓𑀻), sometimes called Charumitra,[1][2] was a daughter of Indian Maurya Emperor Ashoka and the adopted daughter of his wife, Empress Asandhimitra. She was trained in nursing by her. She was married to a Nepalese prince, Devapala Kshatriya, in Kathmandu.[3] She is credited to have founded the monastery of Chabahil (called Charumati Vihara), which is one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries of Nepal. She is believed to have taken care of her father in his last years of life and accompanied him on his Buddhist pilgrimage, along with Upagupta.
| Charumati | |
|---|---|
The Charumati Vihara stupa
| |
| Spouse | Devapala |
| Father | Ashoka |
While scripture had described her and emperor Ashoka visiting Nepal,[4] no archaeological evidence was found until 2003. In 2003, while restoring Dhando chaitya, archaeologists discovered a brick bearing inscriptions with her name. The upper face is inscribed with Cha Ru Wa Ti in Brahmi, and with Cha Ru Wa Ti Dhande / He Tu Pra Bha in Bhujimol script. The brick measures 35.5cm x 23cm x 7cm and weighs 8.6kg.