Who has the credit to initiate Ashoka in Buddhism?

The name by which Ashoka is referred to his inscriptions is

The central point in Ashoka's Dhamma is -:

Who first deciphered the Brahmi script or Ashokan edicts?

In which of the following inscriptions of Ashoka, mention has been made of South Indian kingdoms?

In which Minor Rock Edict, Ashoka expressed his belief in Triratna-Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha?