Question

Who among the following was the first to decipher the Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts?

• A. William Jones
• B. James Prinsep
• C. Alexander Cunningham
• D. Max Muller

Hint:

{James Prinsep (1837)} deciphered the {Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts}, which allowed historians to read the {Ashokan edicts} and greatly expanded knowledge of the Mauryan Empire.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Concept: The Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts are among the earliest writing systems used in ancient India. These scripts were used in many inscriptions, particularly those of the Mauryan period. Deciphering these scripts helped historians understand ancient Indian political, cultural, and administrative history, especially the edicts of Emperor Ashoka.
Step 1:Understanding the Brahmi script.
The Brahmi script was widely used across most parts of the Indian subcontinent. It appears in several ancient inscriptions, including the famous rock and pillar edicts of Emperor Ashoka. For a long time, historians could see these inscriptions but could not read them.
Step 2:Understanding the Kharosthi script.
The Kharosthi script was used mainly in the north-western regions of the Indian subcontinent, particularly in areas influenced by Persian and Central Asian cultures. Unlike Brahmi, it was written from right to left.
Step 3:Role of James Prinsep.
In 1837, the British scholar and archaeologist James Prinsep successfully deciphered both the Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts. His work enabled historians to read Ashokan inscriptions for the first time and confirmed that many of these inscriptions were issued by Emperor Ashoka.
Step 4:Importance of the discovery.
The decipherment of these scripts revealed valuable information about the Mauryan Empire, Ashoka's policies, administration, and the spread of Buddhism. It marked a major breakthrough in the study of ancient Indian history.