Ancient Indian Paleography
Ancient Indian Scripts: Kharoshti Right to Left Writing
Kharoshti was the ancient Indian script written from right to left. It was used in Northwestern India and Central Asia between the 3rd century BCE and 3rd century CE.
Primary Reference: NCERT Class XII History
Archived:
Updated:
Exam Year
1997
Evidence Source
Link ↗Which one of the following scripts of ancient India was written from right to left?
[UPSC CSE Pre 1997]
Detailed Solution & Historical Context
Concept
In ancient India, scripts like Brahmi and Kharoshti were the primary modes of recording edicts and inscriptions. Their direction of writing serves as a key identifying cultural and regional marker.
Authentic Source Evidence
Kharoshti is an ancient Indo-Iranian script used primarily in the northwestern regions of the Indian subcontinent. Unlike Brahmi, which is written left to right, Kharoshti is predominantly written from right to left.
Analytical Breakdown
Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic
"How did the geographical location influence the use of Kharoshti?"
Its usage was concentrated in the Gandhara region (Northwest), reflecting cultural interactions between India, Persia, and Central Asia.
Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip
"Kharoshti's disappearance by the 3rd or 4th century CE in favor of Brahmi marks a significant shift in the linguistic dominance of the Indian subcontinent."
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