Decipherment of Ancient Scripts
UPSC Archival Analysis
Exam Year
2014
Evidence Source
LinkID: ART_HIS_2014_145 Ref: Standard Educational Reference
I. James Prinsep, an officer in the mint of the East India Company, deciphered Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts which were used in the earliest inscriptions and coins.
II. James Prinsep found that most of the scripts mentioned a king referred to as Piyadassi-meaning 'pleasant to behold'.
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Correct Option: B
James Prinsep deciphered Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts in 1837 and identified the name 'Piyadassi', which was the title of Emperor Ashoka.