Question

Read the following source carefully and answer the questions that follow:

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. For instance, in c. 250 BCE, the letter “a” was written like this: By c. 500 CE, it was written like this: The earliest inscriptions were in Prakrit, a name for languages used by ordinary people. Names of rulers such as Ajatasattu and Asoka, known from Prakrit texts and inscriptions, have been spelt in their Prakrit forms in this chapter. You will also find terms in languages such as Pali, Tamil, and Sanskrit, which too were used to write inscriptions and texts. It is possible that people spoke in other languages as well, even though these were not used for writing.

1. What role does palaeography play in determining the age of inscriptions? (1)
2. How do inscriptions contribute to our understanding of ancient societies and cultures? (1)
3. What insights can be gained from studying the languages used in inscriptions across different regions and time periods? (2)

Answer 1

1. Palaeography helps scholars determine the age of inscriptions by analysing the styles of writing used, allowing them to assign approximate dates based on changes in script over time.
2. • Inscriptions provide valuable insights into the achievements, activities, and beliefs of ancient societies and cultures.
   • Helping historians reconstruct their history and social structures.
3. • Studying the languages used in inscriptions provides insights into cultural exchange and linguistic evolution across different regions and time periods.
   • It enriches our understanding of historical dynamics.