Deciphering of Brahmi Script of Ashoka

Brahmi script is one of the oldest writing systems in the Indian subcontinent and was used in ancient India from the 3rd century BCE. It was used to write various Indian languages such as Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Pali. One of the most significant inscriptions in the Brahmi script is the edicts of Ashoka, who was an emperor of the Maurya dynasty.

The Brahmi script of Ashoka was deciphered for the first time by James Prinsep, a British scholar who worked in India during the 19th century. He was the first to recognize the similarities between the inscriptions found in different parts of India and hypothesized that they were written in the same script. Prinsep also studied the coins of the Gupta dynasty, which had inscriptions in the Brahmi script, and used his knowledge of these inscriptions to decipher the edicts of Ashoka.

Prinsep's work was later extended by other scholars such as William Jones, V.A. Smith, and S.R. Goel. They used various techniques such as comparing the inscriptions with known texts in other languages, analyzing the patterns of the script, and using the context of the edicts to decipher the script.

Importance of Deciphering Brahmi Script

The deciphering of the Brahmi script of Ashoka was a significant achievement in the field of Indian history and epigraphy. It allowed scholars to understand the language and ideology of the Mauryan empire and gain new insights into the social, political, and religious life of ancient India. The edicts of Ashoka were particularly important as they provided a glimpse into the emperor's policy of dharma and his efforts to promote social welfare, religious tolerance, and non-violence.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Brahmi script of Ashoka was deciphered for the first time by James Prinsep, and his work was later extended by other scholars. The deciphering of the script was a significant achievement in the field of Indian history and epigraphy and provided new insights into the language and ideology of the Mauryan empire.