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Person James Prinsep
Asked 7 times across 4 UPSC exams over 9 years (2014–2023), peaking in 2016.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 3 of 7 PYQs
- First appeared in CAPF 2014 — 2 years before CSE 2016 (allied exams preview CSE)
- Most asked in 2016
- Recurs across 5 years (2014–2023)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CAPF 2014 → CSE 2016 → CDS 2018 → GEO 2021
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (4 of 7) are since 2016.
Related concepts
Ideas UPSC tests alongside this one — keep exploring.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
GEO2023
Who among the following was the first to decipher the Ashokan inscriptions?
- A William Jones
- B John Marshall
- C James Prinsep ✓
- D Alexander Cunningham
✓ Correct answer: (C)
History › Ancient India
GEO2021
James Prinsep is given credit for deciphering the script used in:
- A Ashokan Brahmi
- B Kharoshthi
- C Tamil Brahmi
- D Harappan Seals
Answer key not yet available (pending official release)
History › Modern India (1757–1857)
CDS2018
Who deciphered the Brahmi and Kharoshthi scripts?
- A Piyadassi
- B Colin Mackenzie
- C Alexander Cunningham
- D James Prinsep ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
History › Ancient India
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