Option c is the correct answer. The first scholar to successfully decipher the Ashokan edicts was James Prinsep. He was an English scholar, orientalist, and antiquary known for his work in deciphering ancient scripts. Prinsep deciphered the Kharosthi and Brahmi scripts of ancient India in 1837. He associated the inscriptions with King Ashoka, realizing that the title "Devanampriya Piyadasi" referred to Ashoka. His pioneering efforts in deciphering inscriptions and understanding ancient scripts significantly contributed to the understanding of India's history and culture. Important Tips The notable early inscriptions on stone: Sohgaura Copper Plate Inscription (Mauryan period) Found: Sohgaura, Uttar pradesh India Language & Script: Prakrit using Brahmi script Content: Likely from Ashoka's period, it mentions establishing grain depots at Manawasi to combat famine, making it the oldest Indian copper plate inscription. Hathigumpha Inscription (2nd century BCE) Found: Udayagiri, Odisha, India Language & Script: Prakrit using Brahmi script Content: Records the achievements of Kharavela, the king of Kalinga, including his conquests and temple renovations. Besnagar Pillar Inscription (Heliodorus, 2nd century BCE) Found: Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, India Language & Script: Prakrit using Brahmi script Content: Records Heliodorus' dedication of a Garuda pillar to Vasudeva. Content: Provides genealogical details of the Kushan dynasty under Kanishka. Junagadh Rock Inscription (150 CE) Found: Junagadh, Gujarat, India Language & Script: Sanskrit in Brahmi script Content: Commemorates Rudradaman I's victories and achievements. Rabatak Inscription (Kanishka, 1st century CE) Found: Rabatak, Afghanistan Language & Script: Bactrian language and Greek script Solution: (a) Exp) Option a is the correct answer. Balban introduced the famous Persian festival 'Navroz' in India. Navroz, also known as Nowruz, is the Persian New Year, marking the first day of spring. Balban introduced the renowned Persian festival of Nowruz in India as a strategic move to showcase his opulence and authority to both the nobles and the general population. This initiative aimed to consolidate his influence and emphasize the grandeur of his reign through the celebration of the significant Nowruz festival. Important Tips Navroz Festival: Navroz is a spring festival that is celebrated by people of Iranian, Turkic, and other Central Asian and Middle Eastern cultures. It marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the new year. The date of Navroz varies from year to year, but it always falls on the first day of spring. In the Gregorian calendar, Navroz falls on March 21 or 22. In 1079 AD, a Persian (Iranian) king named Jalaluddin Malekshah introduced this festival to generate revenue and collect taxes from people. The festival is celebrated with a variety of customs, including feasting, dancing, and exchanging gifts. It is inscribed in the list of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of India. In India it is known as Jamshed Navroz. 8.2. Other Examination Previous Years' Questions Solution: (b) Exp) Option b is the correct answer. Shiva: Shiva wears a garland of skulls and a serpent around his neck and carries in his two (sometimes four) hands, a deerskin, a trident (trishul), a small hand drum, or a club with a skull at the end. Vishnu: According to Hinduism, Vishnu is the preserver and protector of the universe. His symbols are disk (Sudarshana Chakra), Lotus, Conch (Panchajanya), Sharanga (Bow), Nandaka (Sword). Ganesha: Ganesha is known as the remover of obstacles and the offspring of Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction and his consort the goddess Parvathi. His symbols are Elephant face, Rope or noose. Saraswati: Saraswati is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, art, speech, wisdom, and learning. She is one of the Tridevi, along with the goddesses Lakshmi and Parvati. Her symbols are White colour, lotus, Veena, Saraswati river, books.