- Statement I is true. James Prinsep (1799-1840), a scholar and officer in the mint of the East India Company in Calcutta, is credited with deciphering the Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts in the 1830s. These scripts were used in ancient Indian inscriptions, most notably the rock and pillar edicts of Emperor Ashoka. - Statement II is true. While deciphering these inscriptions, Prinsep found that many of them referred to a ruler using titles like 'Devanampiya' (beloved of the gods) and 'Piyadassi' (pleasant to behold). It was later confirmed that this 'Piyadassi' was Emperor Ashoka Maurya. - Statement I describes the historical achievement of deciphering the scripts. Statement II describes a significant discovery made as a result of that deciphering process. Statement II does not explain how Prinsep deciphered the scripts or why he was able to do it; it merely states one of the key findings from the deciphered texts. Therefore, Statement II is not the explanation for Statement I.
Consider the following statements: Statement I: James Prinsep, an officer in the mint of the East India Company, deciphered Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts which were used in the earliest inscriptions and coins Statement II: James Prinsep found that most of the scripts mentioned a king referred to as Piyadassi - meaning 'pleasant to behold'
Asked in UPSC CAPF 2014 · Topic: Maurya Empire (Sources of Mauryan History (Literary and Archaeological))
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Answer: B. Both the statements are individually true but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I
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