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CAPF 2022

Mauryan Multilingualism

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Ashokan inscriptions in Afghanistan are written in which one of the following scripts?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: D

Concept Emperor Ashoka used local scripts and languages to ensure his message of Dhamma reached all subjects of his diverse, multi-ethnic empire.

Explanation While Brahmi was used in central India and Kharoshthi in the North-West, edicts found in modern-day Afghanistan (like the Kandahar Edict) were written in Greek and Aramaic. This reflects the Hellenistic influence remaining from Alexander’s conquests.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Option D is correct as Greek and Aramaic were the lingua francas of the region that includes modern Afghanistan and Iran.
Logic 2: Brahmi and Kharoshthi were primarily used for Prakrit-speaking populations further east and south.

Active Recall

Question

Why did Ashoka use Greek for his inscriptions in Kandahar?

Answer

To communicate directly with the local Greek-speaking population that had settled in the region after Alexander the Great.

Core Insight

The use of Greek and Aramaic illustrates the sophisticated administrative adaptation of the Mauryan state to its far-flung western frontiers.

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