✅ Answer: B) James PrinsepJames Prinsep (1799–1840), a British scholar and officer of the East India Company, deciphered the Brahmi script in 1837. This was a landmark achievement that unlocked Ashokan edicts and transformed our understanding of Mauryan history. He also deciphered Kharosthi script.

✅ Answer: B) Chandragupta MauryaMegasthenes was sent as Greek ambassador by Seleucus Nicator to the court of Chandragupta Maurya (~300 BCE). His work Indica (now lost, survives in fragments) describes Pataliputra, Mauryan administration, Indian society, and customs. He noted the absence of slavery in India.

✅ Answer: C) Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya)Fa-Hien (Faxian) visited India during 399–414 CE, during the reign of Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya) of the Gupta Empire. His account Fo-Kuo-Chi describes the Gupta golden age — prosperous society, mild administration, no capital punishment, and flourishing Buddhism.

✅ Answer: B) SamudraguptaThe Allahabad Pillar Inscription was composed by Harishena, the court poet of Samudragupta (4th century CE). It describes Samudragupta’s military campaigns across India, earning him the title “Napoleon of India” from historian V.A. Smith. The inscription is in Sanskrit and Brahmi script.

✅ Answer: C) RajataranginiRajatarangini (River of Kings) by Kalhana (12th century CE) is considered India’s first historical chronicle. Unlike Puranas that mix myth with history, Kalhana attempted to write history critically and chronologically. It covers the history of Kashmir from mythological times to the 12th century.

✅ Answer: C) R. ShamasastryR. Shamasastry, a Sanskrit scholar and librarian at the Oriental Research Institute in Mysore, rediscovered and translated the Arthashastra in 1904. The Arthashastra, written by Kautilya (Chanakya), is a comprehensive treatise on statecraft, economics, and military strategy.

✅ Answer: C) HarshavardhanaXuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) visited India during 629–645 CE, during the reign of Harshavardhana. His account Si-Yu-Ki (Records of the Western Regions) describes Harsha’s administration, Nalanda University, Buddhist practices, and Indian society. He spent considerable time at Nalanda.

✅ Answer: B) Painted Grey Ware (PGW)Painted Grey Ware (PGW) is associated with the Later Vedic period (1000–600 BCE). It is found in the Gangetic plains and is characterised by grey pottery with geometric designs. Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) is associated with the Mahajanapada period (600–200 BCE).

✅ Answer: C) Kitab-ul-HindAl-Biruni’s Kitab-ul-Hind (Book of India) is considered the most scholarly foreign account of India. Al-Biruni came to India with Mahmud of Ghazni in the 11th century. He learned Sanskrit and wrote a comprehensive account of Indian science, philosophy, religion, mathematics, and customs.

✅ Answer: C) Alexander CunninghamThe Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham, who became its first Director General. ASI is responsible for archaeological research, excavation, and protection of monuments in India. John Marshall (DG 1902–1928) later discovered the IVC.