Explanation
The British played a significant role in reconstructing India’s ancient history through archaeological excavations, such as those at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, and the translation of ancient texts like the Vedas and Arthashastra. Their efforts helped revive interest in India’s rich cultural and historical heritage, though often through a colonial lens.
Option (b) is correct: James Prinsep, an officer in the East India Company’s mint, deciphered Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts in 1837, unlocking the meaning of Ashoka’s edicts. His discovery revealed the king referred to as Piyadassi ("pleasant to behold"), later identified as Ashoka. This breakthrough was crucial in reconstructing the Mauryan period and understanding Ashoka’s role in Indian history. Options (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:
Georg Bühler was a German Indologist known for his work on Sanskrit and ancient Indian inscriptions. Max Müller was a German philologist who contributed to the study of the Vedas and Sanskrit literature. William Jones was an Orientalist who founded the Asiatic Society of Bengal and is famous for recognizing the relationship between Sanskrit, Latin, and Greek.