Question

What are inscriptions?
A) These are handwritten records of the past and are in the form of books
B) These are written records engraved on the stones or pillars
C) These are written records engraved on the walls of cave
D) Both B and C

Answer 1

Hint:
Inscription is a word or letters that have been written or carved into something. Inscriptions are brief and informal dedication and these inscriptions provide information from different sources, it provides the information regarding date and location of significant events, and provides an insight into legal, social and religious practices.

Complete answer:
The meaning of inscriptions
Option A) These are handwritten records of the past and are in the form of books – inscriptions are the handwritten records of the past but are not in the books or note book. Thus, this is an incorrect option as inscriptions are inscribed into non-paper (i.e. hard surface).
Option B) These are written records engraved on the stones or pillars – Inscriptions are compositions or drawings found on stone, columns or pillars or copper tablets or dividers. Thus, they are the hard surfaces and inscriptions are inscribed into non-paper and they are not papers. Thus, these are written records engraved on the stones or pillars but still we will consider this as an incorrect answer.
Option C) These are written records engraved on the walls of the cave – Best example engraved on caves informs us about the kings and kingdoms. Like the Ashokan engravings on holes, columns and stones. Thus, inscriptions are engraved on the walls of the cave depicting the story and they are also non-paper i.e. the hard surface. Thus, these are the written records engraved on the walls of the cave but still we will consider this as an incorrect answer.
Option D) Both B and C – As explained in the above option B and C. Option D is the correct answer because both options are correct.
Thus, the correct answer is option D) Both B and C

Additional information:
The first archaeological inscription of India is the “Edicts of Ashoka” which dates back to the 3rd century BCE written in the form of Prakrit in the Brahmi script.

Note:
Inscriptions are very important as they help us in reconstruction of the history and inscriptions also help in giving an insight of the concerned period; the socio-economic condition of that period as well as of the cultural aspect of the period. Some of the examples of inscriptions are: Ashokan inscriptions, Sarnath pillars, Sohgaura copper plate inscriptions etc.