Which of the following statements are TRUE about Asokan inscriptions?
(A) Most Asokan inscriptions were in Prakrit language.
(B) Most Prakrit inscriptions were written in the Kharosthi script.
(C) Most Prakrit inscriptions of Asoka were written in Brahmi script.
(D) Aramaic script was used for inscriptions in South India.
(E) Greek scripts were used for inscriptions in the northwest of the subcontinent.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → (A), (C), (E) Only
(A) Most Asokan inscriptions were in Prakrit language. Correct. Most Asokan inscriptions were in the Prakrit language, while those in the northwest of the subcontinent were in Aramaic and Greek.
(B) Most Prakrit inscriptions were written in the Kharosthi script. Incorrect. Most Prakrit inscriptions were written in the Brahmi script; only some, in the northwest, were written in Kharosthi.
(C) Most Prakrit inscriptions of Asoka were written in Brahmi script. Correct. Brahmi was the script of most Prakrit inscriptions.
(D) Aramaic script was used for inscriptions in South India. Incorrect. The Aramaic and Greek scripts were used for inscriptions in Afghanistan, in the northwest, not in South India.
(E) Greek scripts were used for inscriptions in the northwest of the subcontinent. Correct. Inscriptions in the northwest were in Aramaic and Greek, and the Greek script was used in Afghanistan.
NCERT (2026-27): “Languages and scripts … Most Asokan inscriptions were in the Prakrit language while those in the northwest of the subcontinet were in Aramaic and Greek. Most Prakrit inscriptions were written in the Brahmi script; however, some, in the northwest, were written in Kharosthi. The Aramaic and Greek scripts were used for inscriptions in Afghanistan.” |