section_path: Modern scholarship/Rediscovery
section_name: Rediscovery
paragraph_text: Rediscovery
  
  Ashoka had almost been forgotten, but in the 19th century James Prinsep contributed in the revelation of historical sources. After deciphering the Brahmi script, Prinsep had originally identified the " Priyadasi " of the inscriptions he found with the King of Ceylon Devanampiya Tissa. However, in 1837, George Turnour discovered an important Sri Lankan manuscript (Dipavamsa, or "Island Chronicle") associating Piyadasi with Ashoka:
  
  Two hundred and eighteen years after the beatitude of the Buddha, was the inauguration of Piyadassi,.... who, the grandson of Chandragupta, and the son of Bindusara, was at the time Governor of Ujjayani.
  
  Since then, the association of "Devanampriya Priyadarsin" with Ashoka was confirmed through various inscriptions, and especially confirmed in the Minor Rock Edict inscription discovered in Maski, directly associating Ashoka with his regnal title Devanampriya ("Beloved-of-the-Gods"):
  
  of Devanampriya Asoka. Two and a half years (have passed) since I am a Buddha - Sakya. somewhat more (has passed) I have visited the Samgha and have shown zeal. Those gods who formerly had been unmingled (with men) in Jambudvipa, have how become mingled (with them). This object can be reached even by a lowly (person) who is devoted to morality. One must not think thus, – (viz.) that only an exalted (person) may reach this. Both the lowly and the exalted must be told : "If you act thus, this matter (will be) prosperous and of long duration, and will thus progress to one and a half.
  
  Another important historian was British archaeologist John Hubert Marshall, who was director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India. His main interests were Sanchi and Sarnath, in addition to Harappa and Mohenjodaro. Sir Alexander Cunningham, a British archaeologist and army engineer, and often known as the father of the Archaeological Survey of India, unveiled heritage sites like the Bharhut Stupa, Sarnath, Sanchi, and the Mahabodhi Temple. Mortimer Wheeler, a British archaeologist, also exposed Ashokan historical sources, especially the Taxila.