Which among the following scripts were used in Ashokan inscriptions?1...
The correct answer is option 'D' which includes all the given options - 1, 2, and 3.
- The Ashokan inscriptions were written during the reign of Emperor Ashoka, who ruled most of the Indian subcontinent from 269 BCE to 232 BCE. These inscriptions were written in different scripts, reflecting the diverse linguistic and cultural landscape of ancient India.
- The Ashokan inscriptions were written in several scripts, including Greek, Aramaic, and Kharosthi.
- Greek script: Emperor Ashoka's inscriptions were found in the ancient city of Kandahar in present-day Afghanistan. These inscriptions were written in Greek, which was the language used by the Hellenistic rulers in the region. These inscriptions helped in deciphering Ashoka's inscriptions and understanding his policies.
- Aramaic script: Aramaic was a Semitic language and script that was widely used in the ancient Near East, including the Achaemenid Empire. Ashoka's inscriptions in Aramaic were found in the ancient city of Kandahar as well. This indicates the influence of the Achaemenid Empire on the region.
- Kharosthi script: Kharosthi was an ancient script used in the Gandhara region, which is present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan. Ashoka's inscriptions in Kharosthi were found in various regions like Shahbazgarhi, Mansehra, and Taxila. The Kharosthi script was used to write in Prakrit, a vernacular language of ancient India.
- The use of different scripts in Ashokan inscriptions highlights the multicultural and multilingual nature of the Mauryan Empire. It also indicates Ashoka's efforts to communicate with different linguistic communities and spread his message of Dhamma (righteousness) throughout his empire.
In conclusion, the Ashokan inscriptions were written in Greek, Aramaic, and Kharosthi scripts. These scripts were used to communicate with different linguistic communities and spread Ashoka's message of Dhamma.
Which among the following scripts were used in Ashokan inscriptions?1...
• The inscriptions of Ashoka were written in four different scripts
• In Afghanistan area they were written in Greek and Aramaic languages and scripts.
• In Pakistan area, Prakrit language and Kharosthi script were used. Inscriptions from all other areas are in Prakrit language, written in Brahmi script.