'Palaeography' refers to:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Study of writing styles
Option (1) Study of inscriptions — Incorrect. The study of inscriptions is called epigraphy. Palaeography is one of the tools epigraphists use to date an inscription, not the study of inscriptions as a whole.
Option (2) Study of writing styles — Correct. Inscriptions that carry no date are dated on the basis of palaeography or styles of writing. For instance, the letter “a” was written in one way in c. 250 BCE and in another way by c. 500 CE.
Option (3) Study of stone tools — Incorrect. Stone tools are objects that archaeologists study; they carry no writing, so palaeography has nothing to do with them.
Option (4) Study of pottery styles — Incorrect. Pottery styles too are studied by archaeologists from the objects found at a site; palaeography studies the way letters were written, not the shapes of pots.
NCERT (2026-27): “Epigraphy is the study of inscriptions. Inscriptions … Inscriptions are writings engraved on hard surfaces such as stone, metal or pottery. They usually record the achievements, activities or ideas of those who commissioned them and include the exploits of kings, or donations made by women and men to religious institutions. Inscriptions are virtually permanent records, some of which carry dates. Others are dated on the basis of palaeography or styles of writing, with a fair amount of precision.…” |