Civil Services Prep

Prelims 2016 · Ancient History · Question 64

Who of the following had first deciphered the edicts of Emperor Ashoka?

  1. Georg Buhler
  2. James Prinsep
  3. Max Muller
  4. William Jones

Answer

James Prinsep

  • (a) Georg Buhler: He was an Indologist and epigraphist, but he did not first decipher Ashokan edicts. Verdict: Incorrect.
  • (b) James Prinsep: In 1837, James Prinsep deciphered the Brahmi script used in many Ashokan inscriptions, making the edicts readable. Verdict: Correct.
  • (c) Max Muller: He was a noted scholar of Sanskrit and Vedic texts, not the first decipherer of Ashoka's edicts. Verdict: Incorrect.
  • (d) William Jones: He founded the Asiatic Society and advanced Oriental studies, but he did not decipher Ashokan edicts. Verdict: Incorrect.
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