Correct Option (a):
Kanganahalli, an important Buddhist archaeological site in Karnataka, features a unique relief sculpture inscription. This inscription explicitly identifies Ashoka as 'Ranyo Ashoka' (King Ashoka) and is found alongside a stone portrait of the emperor. This discovery provides significant iconographic and epigraphic evidence regarding Ashoka's identity and representation.
Incorrect Options:
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Sanchi: This site is renowned for its Great Stupa and numerous inscriptions, which primarily record donations and monastic activities related to Buddhism. However, none of the inscriptions at Sanchi explicitly mention 'Ranyo Ashoka' or include a stone portrait of the emperor.
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Shahbazgarhi: Located in present-day Pakistan, Shahbazgarhi is one of the sites of Ashoka's Major Rock Edicts, inscribed in the Kharosthi script. While these edicts are crucial for understanding Ashoka's reign and Dhamma policy, they do not contain the specific epithet 'Ranyo Ashoka' or a depiction of the king.
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Sohgaura: The Sohgaura copper plate inscription, dating to the Mauryan period, is primarily concerned with arrangements for famine relief and the storage of grains in granaries. It is not an Ashokan inscription in the context of his edicts or portraits, and it does not mention 'Ranyo Ashoka'.