Who among the following was the first to decipher the Ashokan inscriptions?
William Jones
John Marshall
James Prinsep
Alexander Cunningham
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UPSC Geoscientist – 2023
James Prinsep, an English scholar and antiquary, deciphered the Brahmi script in 1837, which was used in most of the Ashokan inscriptions. This breakthrough was crucial for understanding the history and administration of the Mauryan Empire under Ashoka. William Jones founded the Asiatic Society of Bengal. John Marshall oversaw the excavations at Harappa and Mohenjo-daro. Alexander Cunningham is considered the father of Indian archaeology and conducted extensive surveys of historical sites, including many related to Ashoka.