UPSC CSE Pre. 1995

Indian Paleography

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

The 'Modi script' was employed in the documents of the:

Solution & Analysis

Answer: D

Concept Scripts in India often evolved for speed and administrative convenience. The Modi script was a 'shorthand' version of Marathi for rapid writing.

Explanation Modi was used exclusively by the Marathas and the Peshwas for revenue and state correspondence until the 20th century.

Logical Breakup
Option D is Correct: While Devanagari was used for religious and literary texts, Modi was the script of the 'Daftar' (office).
Analytical Note: It is characterized by its cursive nature, allowing the pen to move without being lifted frequently from the paper.

Active Recall

Question

Why did the use of Modi script decline?

Answer

The British administration promoted the use of Devanagari for standardization, and the printing press favored the blocky Devanagari characters over cursive Modi.

Core Insight

The Modi script is the primary key for historians today to unlock the vast administrative archives of the Maratha Empire.