20th August marks the Birth Anniversary of James Prinsep who deciphered the Asokan script, Dhammalipi.

Salute to the great man on his Birth Anniversary, without whose efforts we never may have heard of Dhamma lipi and Asoka The Great.

Born on 20th August 1799, Prinsep was a man of remarkable intellect and unwavering dedication to the pursuit of truth. If it were not for him, we would not have known how to read the Pali and Dhammalipi scripts. James Prinsep deciphered the Asokan script, Dhammalipi, and it was because of his efforts that the world came to know about the existence of Asoka the Great and, thereafter, the glorious history of Buddhist India.

In addition to many other achievements (Assay master, lithographer..), James Prinsep was a renowned numismatist. He deciphered the Dhammalipi script, in which the edicts mentioned a great Emperor titled Devanampiya Piyadassi. Later, Prinsep associated this title with Emperor Asoka based on the Pali inscriptions found in Sri Lanka.

Prinsep’s love for truth and knowledge was evident in all his work. He was driven by a deep desire to uncover and preserve the historical and cultural heritage of India. His meticulous research and commitment to accuracy have left an indelible mark on the study of Indian history.

Unfortunately, his rigorous work took a toll on his health, and James Prinsep passed away at the young age of 40 years, on 22nd April 1840. In his memory, a Palladian porch was erected on the banks of the Hooghly River.

20th August, the Birth Anniversary of James Prinsep, is recognized as World Dhammalipi Day, to raise awareness that the script which Asoka the Great used in his inscriptions is Dhammalipi.