Ashokan pillar at Lumbini, in southern Nepal

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattkelly19/3276189378/
(downloaded July 2009)

A look at the Brahmi inscription on the Lumbini pillar

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rolling-stone/476892238/
(downloaded July 2009)

"This inscription reads 'King Piyadasi (Ashoka), the beloved of Devas, in the 29th year of the coronation, made a visit to Lumbini and paid his homage. Realising the Buddha was born here, a stone railing was built and a stone pillar erected. Because the Lord was born here, the Emperor had the people of Lumbini village freed from some tax and entitled them to the eighth part only' (source - "Lumbini and other Buddhist sites in Nepal, Nepal Tourism Board)."