2.7.1. Deciphering Brahmi

Most scripts used to write modern Indian languages are derived from Brahmi, the script used in most Asokan inscriptions.

Brahmi is a foundational script that has influenced many modern Indian writing systems. Understanding Brahmi is crucial because it serves as a link between ancient inscriptions and contemporary languages. By studying Brahmi, scholars can trace the evolution of scripts and how they were adapted in various regions and times.

Think of Brahmi like a 'mother language' or a root from which various offshoots (modern languages) evolved. Just as English has influenced languages worldwide (like the influence of Latin on Romance languages), Brahmi has shaped many scripts in India.

From the late eighteenth century, European scholars aided by Indian pandits worked backwards from contemporary Bengali and Devanagari (the script used to write Hindi) manuscripts, comparing their letters with older specimens.

The process of deciphering Brahmi involved careful comparative analysis of letters from known scripts like Bengali and Devanagari. Scholars hypothesized the sounds of Brahmi characters by identifying similarities in letter shapes and sounds with these modern scripts. This method is akin to using a familiar reference point to understand something unknown.

Imagine trying to decode an ancient text by comparing it to a familiar language you know. It's similar to solving a mystery where you look for clues in what you already understand, like using a dictionary to interpret new words.

Scholars who studied early inscriptions sometimes assumed these were in Sanskrit, although the earliest inscriptions were, in fact, in Prakrit.

Initially, many scholars misinterpreted the language of early inscriptions because they were unfamiliar with Prakrit and assumed they were in Sanskrit, a more commonly known classical language. This misunderstanding delayed accurate readings and interpretations of historical texts. Learning about the language used is critical for accurately interpreting historical documents.

Consider reading a storybook but assuming it’s written in French when it’s in Spanish. If you only understand French, you risk missing the actual meaning of the text, much like how scholars missed important historical insights by overlooking Prakrit.

It was only after decades of painstaking investigations by several epigraphists that James Prinsep was able to decipher Asokan Brahmi in 1838.

James Prinsep's work was a turning point in Indian epigraphy. His methodical efforts culminated in deciphering Brahmi, which opened the door for understanding many inscriptions and texts from the Mauryan period. Prinsep's achievement highlights the importance of dedicated research and the accumulation of knowledge over time.

Think of Prinsep as a detective who finally cracks a long-cold case after years of detective work. His breakthrough allowed historians to piece together a significant part of India’s past, much like how new discoveries can lead to a major breakthrough in understanding a mystery.

Asokan Brahmi with Devanagari equivalents.

Comparing Brahmi with Devanagari helps in visualizing how the letters might have evolved or influenced one another. This comparative analysis may provide clues about phonetics and the historical context of language development in the Indian subcontinent.

It's like seeing how a photograph of a grandparent can represent the family resemblance evident in current generations; by comparing the letters, we can see their historical connection to modern scripts.

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