Q. Who of the following had first deciphered the edicts of Emperor Ashoka?
(a) Georg Buhier
(b) James Prinsep
(c) Max Muller
(d) William Jones
Ans: (b) James Prinsep
Explanation:
The person who first deciphered the edicts of Emperor Ashoka was (b) James Prinsep.
James Prinsep, an English scholar and antiquarian, played a crucial role in deciphering the Brahmi script, which was used in the inscriptions of Emperor Ashoka. In the early 19th century, Prinsep successfully deciphered and translated several Ashokan inscriptions, allowing scholars to gain a deeper understanding of the teachings and policies of Emperor Ashoka.
Georg Buhler, Max Muller, and William Jones were also prominent scholars and contributors to the field of Indology, but they were not specifically credited with the decipherment of Ashokan edicts.
Therefore, the correct answer to your question is (b) James Prinsep.
