Who deciphered ’Brahmi’ and ’Kharosthi’ scripts in 1838?

The correct option is James Prinsep.

Step-by-step Explanation:

1. Historical Context: Brahmi and Kharosthi are two ancient scripts of the Indian subcontinent. They were used to write major royal inscriptions, particularly the edicts of Emperor Ashoka of the Maurya Dynasty, dating back to the 3rd century BCE.

2. The Breakthrough in 1838: For centuries, the ability to read these ancient scripts was lost. In 1838, James Prinsep, an English antiquarian, colonial administrator, and founding editor of the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, successfully deciphered both the Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts.

3. Significance: Prinsep's breakthrough allowed historians to read Ashoka's inscriptions directly, revealing his messages of Dhamma (righteousness) and confirming his identity, which revolutionized the study of early Indian history and epigraphy.