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GS Paper IUPSC Prelims 2016
Mauryan Empire
Question No. 27Interactive Test Mode
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Q27. Who of the following had first deciphered the edicts of Emperor Ashoka?

Who of the following had first deciphered the edicts of Emperor Ashoka?

Select the correct option below (or cross out options to eliminate)
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Official Answer Key & Detailed Solution

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Official UPSC Answer KeyUPSC Prelims 2016 • Ancient History

Correct Answer: Option (B) — James Prinsep

Concept & Option Breakdown

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James Prinsep, an officer at the Calcutta Mint and founding secretary of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, successfully deciphered the ancient Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts in 1837, which unlocked the Ashokan inscriptions referring to 'Devanampiya Piyadassi'.

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James Prinsep is famous in Indian historiography specifically for deciphering the Ashokan Brahmi script in 1837.

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Question Specifications & Syllabus Mapping

Examination & YearUPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2016 (Q27)
Paper & Marking SchemeGS Paper I • 2 Marks (-0.66 Negative for incorrect response)
Syllabus Subject & TopicAncient History → Mauryan Empire
Official Answer KeyOption (B) — James Prinsep

Related & Repeated Prelims PYQs (2)

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1997 • Q4281% Match

Which one of the following edicts mentions the personal name of Ashoka?

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Who among the following rulers advised his subjects through this inscription? “Whosoever praises his religious sect or blames other sects out of excessive devot

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Frequently Asked Questions — UPSC Prelims 2016 Q27

What is the official answer for UPSC Prelims 2016 GS Paper I Question 27 (Ancient History)?

The official UPSC answer key for this 2016 Ancient History (Mauryan Empire) question is Option (B): "James Prinsep". Correct attempts carry 2 Marks with -0.66 Negative penalty for wrong answers.

Which UPSC Prelims syllabus topic does this 2016 question belong to?

This question belongs to GS Paper I under the subject "Ancient History" and micro-topic "Mauryan Empire". You can explore all repeated questions from Mauryan Empire in Acme AI's 3D Prelims PYQ Realm or practice 50 full-length and sectional tests in the APT Prelims Test Series.

How can I solve this Mauryan Empire UPSC Prelims question using option elimination?

James Prinsep is famous in Indian historiography specifically for deciphering the Ashokan Brahmi script in 1837.

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