Who of the following had first deciphered the edicts of Emperor Ashoka?
Contents13
- AGeorg Buhler
- BJames Prinsep
- CMax Muller
- DWilliam Jones
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Answer: (B) James Prinsep
Answer: (b) James Prinsep
James Prinsep, a British scholar, was the first to decipher the Brahmi script in 1837, allowing historians to read Ashoka's rock and pillar edicts for the first time.
Before this, these ancient inscriptions were a mystery.
Why not others?
(a) Georg Buhler - Worked on Indian epigraphy but didn't first decipher Ashoka's edicts.
(c) Max Muller - Known for translating Rigveda, not deciphering inscriptions.
(d) William Jones - Founded Asiatic Society, linked Sanskrit to European languages, but didn't decipher Brahmi.
Source: NCERT Class XII, 'Themes in Indian History,' page 28.
James Prinsep's 1837 decipherment of Brahmi script unlocked Ashoka's edicts, making them readable for the first time and revolutionizing understanding of Mauryan history.
UPSC frequently tests specific contributions of British orientalist scholars like Prinsep, William Jones, Max Muller, and Georg Buhler to distinguish their different areas of work.
The question tests whether students can separate epigraphic work (deciphering scripts) from linguistic work (translations) and institutional work (founding societies).
James Prinsep & Brahmi Decipherment
Ancient And Medieval History James Prinsep deciphered edicts Emperor Ashoka
James Prinsep: Deciphering Ashoka's Edicts in 1837
James Prinsep first deciphered Brahmi script in 1837
This breakthrough revealed Ashoka's rock and pillar edicts for the first time
Before 1837, Ashoka's inscriptions were completely unreadable mysteries
Prinsep was Assay Master at Calcutta Mint and Secretary of Asiatic Society
The Breakthrough
James Prinsep (1799-1840) was a British scholar working in Calcutta who achieved one of archaeology's greatest breakthroughs. In 1837, he successfully deciphered the Brahmi script — the ancient writing system used in Ashoka's edicts.
• Before this, historians could see the inscriptions on rocks and pillars but couldn't read them
• The decipherment suddenly opened up 3rd century BCE Indian history
• This discovery revealed Ashoka as a historical figure, not just a legend
Key Facts vs Other Scholars
Scholar | Achievement | Time Period | Connection to Question |
|---|---|---|---|
James Prinsep | Deciphered Brahmi script | 1837 | CORRECT - First to read Ashoka's edicts |
William Jones | Founded Asiatic Society, linked Sanskrit to European languages | 1780s-1790s | Pioneer orientalist, but didn't decipher Brahmi |
Georg Buhler | Advanced work on Indian epigraphy | Late 1800s | Built on Prinsep's work, not the first |
Max Muller | Translated Rigveda into English | Mid-1800s | Sanskrit scholar, not inscription decipherer |
Prinsep's Method
Started with bilingual coin inscriptions where he could compare Greek and Brahmi text
Used frequency analysis to identify common letters and patterns
Cross-referenced with short rock inscriptions before tackling major pillar edicts
Published findings in Journal of Asiatic Society making knowledge widely available
Don't confuse: William Jones founded Asiatic Society but didn't decipher Brahmi
Don't confuse: Max Muller worked on Sanskrit texts, not ancient inscriptions
Remember: 1837 is the key date for Brahmi decipherment
Trap: Georg Buhler did important epigraphy work but came after Prinsep's breakthrough
Ashoka's Edicts as Historical Sources
Ancient And Medieval History edicts Emperor Ashoka
Ashoka's Edicts: Primary Sources of Mauryan History
Rock and pillar edicts are primary sources for Mauryan history
Written in Brahmi, Kharoshthi, Greek, and Aramaic scripts
Cover dhamma, administration, Kalinga War, and royal policies
Found across modern India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal
Why Edicts Matter
Ashoka's edicts are direct contemporary evidence from the 3rd century BCE — unlike later texts that may contain errors or myths. They provide the emperor's own words about his policies, beliefs, and administrative systems.
Types of Ashoka's Edicts
Type | Medium | Content Focus | Key Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
Rock Edicts | Natural rock surfaces | Dhamma, general policies | Girnar, Dhauli, Jaugada |
Pillar Edicts | Specially erected pillars | Administrative orders, later policies | Delhi-Topra, Allahabad |
Minor Edicts | Small rocks/caves | Personal dhamma, local issues | Maski, Gujarra |
Separate Edicts | Various surfaces | Specific regions/communities | Kalsi, Bairat |
Geographic Spread
Source: Sleepy Classes — Solved] Consider the following pairs: Site of Ashoka's major rock ... · sleepyclasses.com
Historical Value
First-hand account of Kalinga War and Ashoka's remorse
Details of dhamma policy and moral governance in ancient India
Evidence of administrative structure and provincial system
Proof of cultural diversity — multiple scripts for different regions
Shows Buddhist influence on state policy without imposing religion
British Orientalist Scholars in India
Ancient And Medieval History Georg Buhler James Prinsep Max Muller William Jones
British Orientalists: Rediscovering Ancient India
William Jones founded Asiatic Society (1784) and linked Sanskrit to European languages
James Prinsep deciphered Brahmi script (1837) and Ashoka's edicts
Max Muller translated Rigveda and promoted Aryan invasion theory
Georg Buhler advanced Indian epigraphy and paleography
Major British Orientalists
Scholar | Key Contribution | Time Period | Impact on Indian Studies |
|---|---|---|---|
William Jones | Asiatic Society, comparative linguistics | 1783-1794 | Established scientific study of Sanskrit |
James Prinsep | Deciphered Brahmi, read Ashoka's edicts | 1820s-1840 | Opened ancient Indian epigraphy |
Max Muller | Rigveda translation, Sacred Books series | 1840s-1900 | Made Vedic texts accessible to world |
Georg Buhler | Indian paleography, Gupta inscriptions | 1860s-1890s | Systematized study of ancient scripts |
Alexander Cunningham | Archaeological Survey of India | 1861-1885 | Institutionalized Indian archaeology |
Orientalist Research Areas
# British Orientalist Studies
## **Linguistics**
- **Sanskrit-European links** (Jones)
- **Comparative grammar**
- **Proto-Indo-European theory**
## **Epigraphy**
- **Brahmi decipherment** (Prinsep)
- **Gupta inscriptions** (Buhler)
- **Kharoshthi script**
## **Literature**
- **Rigveda translation** (Muller)
- **Sanskrit classics**
- **Sacred Books of East**
## **Archaeology**
- **Archaeological Survey** (Cunningham)
- **Buddhist sites**
- **Ancient monuments**Colonial Context
These scholars worked during East India Company and early British Raj periods. Their research served colonial administrative needs but also preserved and revealed India's ancient heritage. The Asiatic Society of Bengal became the hub for this scholarly activity.
Don't mix up: Jones = linguistics, Prinsep = epigraphy, Muller = Vedic texts
Remember chronology: Jones (1780s) → Prinsep (1830s) → Muller (1840s+)
Trap: Max Muller never visited India despite being famous for Indian studies
Specific roles: Jones founded Asiatic Society, Prinsep was Secretary later