Prinsep

Prinsep is a surname of English origin that is most closely associated with 19th-century scholarship in British India. The name is especially linked to James Prinsep, a British artist, engraver, and antiquarian who worked in Bengal during the early 1800s.

James Prinsep (1799–1840) was a prominent figure in the Asiatic Society of Bengal and contributed extensively to Indian epigraphy and numismatics. He produced numerous plates, drawings, and inscriptions related to Indian antiquities, coins, and scripts. Prinsep is best known for his work on ancient Indian scripts, including Brahmi, and for his efforts to organize and interpret inscriptions and coinage from the subcontinent. His research helped lay the groundwork for the modern study of Indian epigraphy and contributed to the decipherment and understanding of early Indian writing systems. He died in Calcutta in 1840, but his work influenced subsequent scholars of Indian history and archaeology.

Prinsep Ghat is a riverside promenade in Kolkata named in memory of James Prinsep. Located along the Hooghly River, it is a historic landmark from the colonial era and remains a popular site for visitors and photographers, offering views of the river and surrounding architecture. The surname Prinsep appears in historical references connected with British-era administration and scholarship in India, with James Prinsep being the most notable figure associated with the name.