Who first deciphered the name Ashoka in relation to 'Priyadarshi'?

James Prinsep deciphered the Brahmi script in 1837, and later findings in the Maski edict confirmed that 'Priyadarshi' and 'Ashoka' were the same person.

Mauryan Epigraphy

UPSC Archival Analysis

Exam Year

1995

Evidence Source

Link

ID: HIS_ANC_1995_21 Ref: Romila Thapar, Ashoka and the Decline of the Mauryas

The name by which Ashoka is referred to his inscriptions is:

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Correct Option: D

In his inscriptions, Ashoka is primarily referred to as 'Priyadarshi' (or Piyadassi), often paired with the title 'Devanampiya', meaning 'Beloved of the Gods'.