Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
Language used in the inscriptions of Ashoka is:
Solution & Analysis
Answer: B
Concept
Effective imperial communication in ancient times relied on using the 'lingua franca' or the language of the common people to disseminate administrative and moral codes.Explanation
The majority of Ashoka's inscriptions are in the Prakrit language. While scripts varied (Brahmi, Kharosthi, Greek, Aramaic), the underlying language for the Indian heartland edicts remained Prakrit.Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Prakrit refers to a group of vernacular Middle Indo-Aryan languages.
Logic 2: Sanskrit (Option A) was a scholarly and liturgical language, not yet used for official stone inscriptions at this scale.
Logic 3: Pali (Option C) was primarily used for Buddhist scriptures; though related, Ashoka's official administrative language was Prakrit.