The correct option is 1 and 4 only.
Explanation
The identification of Emperor Ashoka in Indian history relies heavily on epigraphic evidence. The deciphering of the Brahmi script by James Prinsep in 1837 was a crucial milestone in understanding Mauryan edicts and titles.
Statement 1 is Correct:
The title Devanampiya is a Pali term that translates to "Beloved of the Gods". It was a standard royal honorific used by Ashoka in his inscriptions to signify divine favor.
Statement 2 is Incorrect:
The title Piyadassi (or Sanskrit Priyadarshi) translates to "He who looks with affection" or "One of pleasing appearance". The title "Destroyer of Enemies" corresponds to Amitraghata (Slayer of Foes), which is historically associated with Bindusara, Ashoka's father.
Statement 3 is Incorrect:
These titles appear on the Rock and Pillar Edicts issued by Ashoka, not on Indo-Greek coins. While James Prinsep used bilingual Indo-Greek coins (bearing Greek and Brahmi/Kharosthi scripts) to help decipher the script, the specific titles Devanampiya and Piyadassi are distinct features of Mauryan inscriptions.
Statement 4 is Correct:
For decades after the initial decipherment, the inscriptions were attributed to a king named "Devanampiya Piyadassi," and his identity remained a subject of debate. The link to the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka was definitively established through the comparative study of inscriptions, specifically after the discovery of the Maski Edict (1915), which explicitly mentions the name "Devanampiya Asoka".
Key Takeaway:
James Prinsep deciphered the Ashokan inscriptions in 1837. The personal name "Asoka" appears only in a few Minor Rock Edicts (Maski, Gujjara, Nittur, and Udegolam); in all other major edicts, he is referred to by his titles Devanampiya and Piyadassi.