Who among the following was the first scholar to decipher the Ashokan edicts?

James Prinsep

The correct answer is Option 2- James Prinsep

James Prinsep is credited as the first scholar to successfully decipher the Ashokan edicts, thereby laying the foundation for understanding these crucial historical records. While other notable figures such as Alexander Cunningham, V. Gordon Childe, and James Taylor made significant contributions to archaeology and linguistics, they were not involved in deciphering the Ashokan edicts.