Colin Mackenzie and His Collection of Inscriptions

The question asks about the individual who collected over 8000 inscriptions in Sanskrit and Dravidian languages around the year 1810. This refers to a significant collection of historical records that are crucial for understanding the history and languages of South India.

Let's look at the options provided:

• Cunningham: Alexander Cunningham was a key figure in Indian archaeology, known for his extensive surveys in the mid to late 19th century. His work was foundational but primarily focused on different periods and geographical areas compared to the description provided for 1810.
• Colin Mackenzie: Colonel Colin Mackenzie (1754-1821) was a British Army officer who served as the first Surveyor General of India. He conducted extensive surveys, particularly in South India, in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. During his time in South India, specifically around 1810 and the surrounding years, he amassed a vast collection of manuscripts, local histories, translations, and inscriptions. His collection included a large number of inscriptions in Sanskrit and various Dravidian languages like Telugu, Kannada, and Tamil, numbering well over 8,000. This collection is famously known as the "Mackenzie Collection" and is a vital source for historical and linguistic research.
• John Marshall: Sir John Marshall was the Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India from 1902 to 1928. His most famous work includes the excavations at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, related to the Indus Valley Civilization, which is from a much earlier period and geographical focus than the question describes for 1810.

Based on historical accounts and the nature of their work, Colin Mackenzie is the individual credited with collecting such a large number of inscriptions in Sanskrit and Dravidian languages during the specified period around 1810.

Therefore, the person who collected over 8000 inscriptions in Sanskrit and Dravidian languages in 1810 was Colin Mackenzie.