upscools
Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2011

Ancient Indian Paleography

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Which one of the following Ashokan inscription is in 'Kharosthi' script?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: C

Concept While the majority of Ashokan inscriptions in the heartland are in Brahmi, those found in the northwestern frontier use local scripts like Kharosthi and Greek to reach the local population.

Explanation Shahbazgarhi and Mansehra (both in modern Pakistan) are the two major sites where Ashoka's Rock Edicts are written in the Kharosthi script (right-to-left).

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Inscriptions in central and eastern India (like Meerut and Khalsi) used Brahmi.
Logic 2: Girnar (Gujarat) also utilized Brahmi, despite being in the west. Shahbazgarhi's use of Kharosthi reflects the linguistic and cultural influence of the Achaemenid Persian Empire in that specific region.

Active Recall

Question

Why did Ashoka use Kharoshti in the Northwest but Brahmi elsewhere?

Answer

Kharoshti was the established script of the Gandhara region due to earlier Persian influence, and Ashoka chose scripts that locals could already read.

Core Insight

The use of multiple scripts in Ashokan edicts is early evidence of 'localized' governance within a centralized empire.

Practice Navigation