Back to Basics: How are Inscriptions Deciphered?
The process of deciphering ancient inscriptions, such as those in Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts, has been a complex and painstaking task for historians. European scholars, assisted by Indian pandits, worked backward from contemporary scripts like Bengali and Devanagari to compare and decode older specimens. James Prinsep’s work in deciphering Asokan Brahmi in 1838 was a significant breakthrough. Deciphering Kharosthi, used in the northwest, involved comparing coins with Greek and Kharosthi scripts, aiding in identifying the language as Prakrit.
Historians analyze inscriptions closely, considering factors like content, style, language, and palaeography to determine rulers and historical events. For example, Asokan inscriptions reveal titles adopted by the ruler, like “devanampiya” and “piyadassi,” allowing epigraphists to attribute them to the same ruler. Assessing statements in inscriptions requires historians to evaluate their accuracy, plausibility, or potential exaggeration. Additionally, the context of where inscriptions are found and their linguistic accessibility to the population adds layers of complexity to understanding historical events.
Kings, Farmers and Towns Early States and Economies| Class 12 History Notes
Class 12 History Chapter 2 talks about the Kings, Farmers, Towns, Early States, and Economies between C.600 BCE to 600 CE. The chapter covers the different aspects of the political and economic history of the Maurya Empire and Gupta Empire with different historical evidence. It also talks about Mahajanapadas, James Princep & Piyadassi as well as clarifies why the Sixteen century was a major turning point for early Indian History.
In this article, we are going to discuss the Class 12 History Chapter 2: Kings, Farmers and Towns, and, Early States and Economies in detail.
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