Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
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'. Select the correct code:
Solution & Analysis
Answer: B
Concept
The decipherment of ancient scripts in 1837 provided the essential key to unlocking the lost history of the Mauryan Empire and the identity of its greatest king.Explanation
James Prinsep correctly deciphered the Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts. He observed that many inscriptions were issued by a king named 'Piyadassi'. It was later confirmed through Buddhist texts that 'Piyadassi' was a title of the Emperor Ashoka.Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Both statements are historically accurate. Prinsep was an official in the Calcutta mint and a brilliant epigraphist.
Logic 2: Statement II is a *result* of the decipherment or an observation made during the process, but it is not the *reason why* or *how* he was able to decipher the script. The actual breakthrough involved identifying the word 'danam' on various stupa railings.