James Princep Deciphered Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts.

Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts are two of the oldest scripts used in ancient India. The Brahmi script is believed to have been used from the 3rd century BCE, while the Kharosthi script was used from the 4th century BCE.

James Princep was a British scholar and mathematician who played a significant role in deciphering these ancient scripts. He was appointed as the assay master at the Calcutta Mint in 1819, where he came across a number of coins with inscriptions in these scripts.

Princep's Contributions

Princep's contributions in deciphering these scripts are as follows:

1. Decoding the inscriptions: Princep was the first person to recognize that the inscriptions on the coins were written in an unknown script. He was able to decode the Brahmi script by comparing the inscriptions to known inscriptions in other languages.

2. Comparing inscriptions: Princep compared the inscriptions on the coins with inscriptions found on pillars and rocks, which helped him to decipher the script further.

3. Founding epigraphical society: In 1834, Princep founded the Asiatic Society of Bengal's Epigraphical Society. The society aimed to collect and study inscriptions in India and was instrumental in the study of ancient Indian scripts.

4. Publishing inscriptions: Princep published a number of inscriptions in his book, "Essays on Indian Antiquities," which helped to spread knowledge about these ancient scripts.

Conclusion

Overall, James Princep's contributions to the study of ancient Indian scripts were significant. His work helped to unlock the secrets of these scripts and shed light on India's rich cultural heritage.