CUET UG History Booster Test 3 - Epigraphy, Inscriptions and Historical Sources -

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CUET UG History Booster Test 3 - Epigraphy, Inscriptions and Historical Sources

⏱️ 30 Minutes

❓ 20 Questions

📌 Answers are locked once submitted — results and explanations appear at the end.

CUET UG History Booster Test 3 - Epigraphy, Inscriptions and Historical Sources

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QUESTION 1 OF 20

Assertion (A): Epigraphy alone does not provide a complete understanding of political and economic history.
Reason (R): Inscriptions invariably record the joys and sorrows of daily agricultural existence of ordinary people.

Answer Review

1 Assertion (A): Epigraphy alone does not provide a complete understanding of political and economic history.
Reason (R): Inscriptions invariably record the joys and sorrows of daily agricultural existence of ordinary people.

A Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

B Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A

C A is true but R is false

D A is false but R is true

💡 Short Explanation

Epigraphy is only one historical source. Inscriptions mostly record elite concerns. Ordinary agricultural life is rarely described.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Epigraphy provides valuable information about rulers, grants, administration, and religious activities, but it cannot alone reconstruct complete political and economic history. Historians also use archaeology, coins, and literature. The reason is incorrect because inscriptions generally focus on kings, donors, and achievements rather than the everyday experiences of ordinary cultivators.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Incorrect because the Reason itself is false.
Option B → Incorrect since both statements are not true.
Option D → Incorrect because Assertion is correct while Reason is incorrect.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application:

Check each statement independently. The assertion agrees with NCERT methodology, while the reason contradicts the nature of inscriptions.

Final Logic:

A true assertion combined with a false reason gives Option C.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Inscriptions = Kings, not Farmers."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Bricks, Beads and Bones / Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Limitations of Inscriptions

2 Consider the following statements regarding the types and nature of inscriptions:
1. Prashastis were often treasured as works of poetry rather than accounts that were literally true.
2. Votive inscriptions never mention the occupations of the donors living in towns.
3. Land grants from the seventh century onwards were sometimes inscribed in multiple languages, such as Sanskrit and a local language.
Which of the statement(s) is/are correct?

A 1 and 3

B Only 2

C 2 and 3

D 1, 2, and 3

💡 Short Explanation

Prashastis contain exaggeration. Votive inscriptions often mention occupations. Land grants could be bilingual.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Prashastis were literary compositions praising rulers and were valued for poetic quality. Votive inscriptions frequently recorded donors' occupations and identities. From the early medieval period, several grants used Sanskrit alongside regional languages for wider communication. Therefore Statements I and III are correct while II is incorrect.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option B → Incorrect because Statement 1 is correct and Statement 2 is false.
Option C → Incorrect because Statement 2 is wrong.
Option D → Incorrect because all three statements are not correct.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application:

The word "never" in Statement 2 is an extreme expression and historically inaccurate.

Final Logic:

Removing Statement 2 leaves Statements 1 and 3.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Poetry + Bilingual Grants = Correct."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Prashastis and Land Grants

3 Match the following epigraphical developments in List 1 with their correct timeframes in List 2:

List I	List II
1. Decipherment of Asokan Brahmi by James Prinsep	a. 1888
2. Emergence of early states, cities, and growing use of iron (mahajanapadas)	b. 1784
3. Founding of the Asiatic Society (Bengal)	c. 1838
4. First issue of Epigraphia Indica	d. sixth century BCE

A 1-b, 2-d, 3-a, 4-c

B 1-d, 2-c, 3-b, 4-a

C 1-b, 2-c, 3-d, 4-a

D 1-c, 2-d, 3-b, 4-a

💡 Short Explanation

Prinsep deciphered Brahmi in 1838. Asiatic Society founded in 1784. Epigraphia Indica began in 1888.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

James Prinsep deciphered Brahmi in 1838. Mahajanapadas emerged around the sixth century BCE. The Asiatic Society was founded in 1784 by Sir William Jones. Epigraphia Indica began publication in 1888. Matching these dates gives Option D.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Incorrect matching of Prinsep and Asiatic Society dates.
Option B → Incorrectly links the Mahajanapadas with 1838.
Option C → Multiple historical dates are mismatched.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Option Grouping

Application:

Use well-known benchmark dates to eliminate incorrect pairings quickly.

Final Logic:

1838–Prinsep and 1784–Asiatic Society uniquely identify Option D.

🧠 Memory Trick

"1784–Jones, 1838–Prinsep, 1888–Epigraphia."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Decipherment and Epigraphy

4 Fill in the blank:
To decipher the Kharosthi script used in the northwest, European scholars compared the letters against coins issued by Indo-Greek kings that featured names written in both Kharosthi and ______ scripts.

A Aramaic

B Greek

C Latin

D Brahmi

💡 Short Explanation

Coins were bilingual. Greek names were identifiable. Symbol comparison enabled decipherment.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Kharosthi was deciphered using bilingual Indo-Greek coins. Scholars recognized Greek royal names and matched corresponding Kharosthi symbols. This comparative method helped identify letters and sounds. Aramaic, Latin, and Brahmi were not the key companion scripts used in this breakthrough.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Aramaic influenced Kharosthi but was not the bilingual comparison base.
Option C → Latin was not used on Indo-Greek coins.
Option D → Brahmi was deciphered separately.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

The phrase "Indo-Greek kings" directly points toward Greek inscriptions.

Final Logic:

Indo-Greek coins logically contained Greek script.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Kharosthi met Greek on coins."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Kharosthi Decipherment

5 Arrange the following historiographical and epigraphical milestones in chronological order:
1. The founding of the Asiatic Society (Bengal)
2. Alexander Cunningham publishes a set of Asokan inscriptions
3. Colin Mackenzie collects over 8,000 inscriptions
4. D.C. Sircar publishes Indian Epigraphy

A 1, 2, 3, 4

B 2, 1, 4, 3

C 1, 3, 2, 4

D 3, 1, 2, 4

💡 Short Explanation

Asiatic Society came first. Mackenzie worked in the early nineteenth century. D.C. Sircar belongs to the modern period.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The Asiatic Society was founded in 1784. Colin Mackenzie's collection activities followed in the early nineteenth century. Cunningham's publication of Asokan inscriptions came later. D.C. Sircar's Indian Epigraphy belongs to the twentieth century. Therefore, the correct chronological order is 1, 3, 2, 4

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A→ Places Mackenzie before the Asiatic Society.
Option B → Reverses Mackenzie and Cunningham.
Option D → Starts with a later event.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application:

Identify the earliest and latest events first, then arrange the middle events.

Final Logic:

1784 must come first and Sircar last.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Society → Mackenzie → Cunningham → Sircar."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Development of Epigraphy

6 The decipherment of 'Piyadassi' as King Asoka fundamentally shifted early Indian historiography because:

A It proved that Magadha never had a standing army.

B It allowed scholars to reconstruct the lineages of major dynasties by linking inscriptional evidence with Buddhist texts.

C It indicated that Asoka was actually of Indo-Greek origin.

D It demonstrated that the script used was not Brahmi but a variation of Aramaic.

💡 Short Explanation

Piyadassi was identified with Asoka. Inscriptions were linked to Buddhist traditions. Mauryan history became clearer.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

James Prinsep's decipherment enabled historians to identify the ruler called "Devanampiya Piyadassi" with Asoka through comparison with Buddhist texts. This connection transformed the reconstruction of early Indian political history and Mauryan chronology. Options A, C, and D are historically incorrect and unrelated to the significance of the decipherment.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → No inscriptional discovery proved that Magadha lacked a standing army. The issue is unrelated to identifying Piyadassi.
Option C → There is no evidence that Asoka was of Indo-Greek origin. The decipherment merely identified the ruler behind the inscriptions.
Option D → Prinsep proved that the script was Brahmi, not an Aramaic variation.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

The question asks for the historiographical impact of decipherment. The correct option must explain how historical reconstruction improved.

Final Logic:

Identification of Piyadassi with Asoka connected inscriptions and literary traditions, transforming historical understanding.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Piyadassi = Asoka = History unlocked."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: James Prinsep and Asokan Inscriptions

7 Why is the identification of Prakrit as the primary language of early inscriptions significant for historical reconstruction?

A It confirms that Sanskrit was completely extinct by the 6th century BCE.

B It proves that early writing was restricted to the Brahmana caste.

C It demonstrates that rulers utilized languages spoken by ordinary people to broadly communicate their edicts.

D It shows that the Kushana empire forcefully imposed Central Asian dialects on the populace.

💡 Short Explanation

Early inscriptions often used Prakrit. Prakrit was widely understood. Communication reached common people.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Many early inscriptions, especially those of Asoka, were composed in Prakrit because it was closer to languages spoken by ordinary people. This indicates a deliberate effort to communicate royal messages widely. Option A exaggerates the decline of Sanskrit, while B and D have no historical basis in the context of early inscriptions.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Sanskrit was not extinct; it continued to exist alongside Prakrit traditions.
Option B → No evidence suggests writing was restricted exclusively to Brahmanas.
Option D → The Kushanas are unrelated to the linguistic purpose of early Prakrit inscriptions.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Identify the option that best explains why rulers selected Prakrit for inscriptions.

Final Logic:

Prakrit's widespread use among common people made it an effective medium for royal communication.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Prakrit = People's Language."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Language of Early Inscriptions

8 Identify the incorrect statement regarding the application of languages in historical sources:

A Early Buddhist and Jaina texts mentioning the sixteen mahajanapadas frequently feature Prakrit terms.

B The Prayaga Prashasti was composed in Sanskrit by Samudragupta's court poet.

C Sangam texts, which describe chiefdoms in Tamilakam, were written in Tamil.

D The inscriptions of Asoka in the northwest of the subcontinent were exclusively written in Tamil and Sanskrit.

💡 Short Explanation

Northwest inscriptions used Kharosthi and Greek. Tamil was not used there. Statement D contradicts NCERT evidence.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Asokan inscriptions in the northwest were written in Prakrit using Kharosthi script, and some were also issued in Greek and Aramaic. Therefore Statement D is incorrect. Statements A, B, and C accurately reflect the languages associated with Buddhist-Jaina texts, the Prayaga Prashasti, and Sangam literature respectively.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Correctly reflects linguistic features of early Buddhist and Jaina traditions.
Option B → The Prayaga Prashasti was indeed composed in Sanskrit by Harishena.
Option C → Sangam literature was written in Tamil and describes Tamilakam.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Odd One Out

Application:

Compare each option with known language traditions. One statement clearly contradicts inscriptional evidence.

Final Logic:

Tamil and Sanskrit were not the exclusive languages of Asokan inscriptions in the northwest.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Northwest Asoka = Kharosthi + Greek."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Languages and Scripts of Inscriptions

9 The discovery of large hoards of Roman coins in archaeological sites in South India analytically suggests that:

A South India was directly administered by Parthian rulers.

B Roman currency entirely replaced local barter systems across the subcontinent.

C Vibrant networks of highly profitable long-distance trade operated independently of immediate political boundaries.

D Local South Indian rulers minted counterfeit Roman coins to fund their militias.

💡 Short Explanation

Roman coins indicate trade contacts. South India participated in overseas commerce. Long-distance exchange was extensive.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Roman coin hoards found in South India demonstrate flourishing trade between the Mediterranean world and the Indian subcontinent. Archaeological evidence points to active commercial networks involving luxury goods and merchants. The evidence does not indicate foreign political control, complete replacement of local exchange systems, or systematic counterfeiting.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Coin finds do not prove political administration by Parthian rulers.
Option B → Roman coins did not replace all indigenous economic systems.
Option D → Archaeological evidence does not support widespread counterfeit Roman coin production.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application:

Separate economic evidence from political conclusions and unsupported claims.

Final Logic:

Coins found far from Rome most logically indicate active long-distance trade.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Roman Coins = Roman Trade."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Trade and Coinage

10 The massive fortification walls built at Rajgir (Rajagaha) serve as an archaeological indicator of which broader political process?

A The complete absence of standing armies in early states.

B The immediate shift to maritime trade rather than land-based strongholds.

C The decline of agricultural surplus in the Magadha region.

D The concentration of resources and organized labor required by early states to defend capitals.

💡 Short Explanation

Fortifications required huge resources. Organized labor reflects state power. Capitals needed protection.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The massive walls at Rajgir demonstrate the ability of early states to mobilize labor, resources, and administrative capacity. Such fortifications protected important political centers and reflected increasing state formation. The evidence does not indicate absence of armies, maritime orientation, or declining agricultural production.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Defensive walls generally complement, not negate, military organization.
Option B → Rajgir was an inland political center, not evidence of maritime transition.
Option C → Large-scale construction usually indicates resource availability rather than decline.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Interpret the archaeological structure in terms of state formation and political organization.

Final Logic:

Large fortifications signify concentrated authority, labor mobilization, and state power.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Big Walls = Strong State."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Rajgir Fortifications and Early States

11 What analytical insight into the strained relationship between kings and subjects can be drawn from the Gandatindu Jataka?

A Subjects generally appreciated heavy taxation as it funded the spread of Dhamma.

B Oppressive taxation caused diverse rural populations to abandon their villages for the forest.

C Only wealthy merchants (setthis) suffered from the king's demands, while peasants benefited.

D Kings frequently surrendered their thrones when subjects complained through legal texts.

💡 Short Explanation

Jataka stories reflect social tensions. Excessive taxation created hardship. Villagers sometimes fled settlements.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The Gandatindu Jataka describes people suffering from oppressive taxation and exploitation by rulers and officials. It suggests that excessive demands could force cultivators and other groups to leave their villages. This provides insight into tensions between rulers and subjects. The other options either exaggerate benefits of taxation or misrepresent the narrative.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → The text does not portray heavy taxation as widely appreciated.
Option C → The suffering was not limited to merchants alone; broader rural society was affected.
Option D → There is no indication that kings regularly surrendered power because of complaints.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Identify the option that matches the critical tone of the Jataka regarding royal oppression.

Final Logic:

The passage emphasizes hardship and flight from villages due to oppressive taxation.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Heavy Tax → Forest Escape."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Kings and Subjects in Jataka Literature

12 While early Buddhist and Jaina texts provide lists of the sixteen mahajanapadas, how did the governance of oligarchies (ganas/sanghas) like the Vajji differ from typical monarchies?

A Power was collectively shared by a number of men, often called rajas, rather than a single absolute ruler.

B Power was derived solely through the performance of Vedic rituals by Brahmanas.

C Power was passed down strictly through matrilineal lines.

D Power was entirely dependent on maintaining a mercenary Greek army.

💡 Short Explanation

Ganas and sanghas were oligarchies. Authority was collective. Multiple chiefs shared power.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Unlike monarchies ruled by a single king, oligarchies such as the Vajji confederacy were governed by assemblies of influential men often described as rajas. Decision-making was collective rather than centralized. Options B, C, and D introduce features not associated with gana-sangha political systems.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option B → Governance was not based solely on Vedic rituals.
Option C → Strict matrilineal succession was not a defining feature.
Option D → Greek mercenary armies had no connection with Vajji governance.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Odd One Out

Application:

Three options contain unrelated or unsupported claims, while one accurately describes oligarchic governance.

Final Logic:

Collective rule is the defining characteristic of ganas and sanghas.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Gana = Group Rule."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Ganas and Sanghas

13 Which of the following analytical arguments do some historians use to explain the increase in land grants (like those of Prabhavati Gupta) from the early centuries CE?

A They were an indicator of the state successfully eradicating all poverty.

B They were exclusively meant to buy off hostile Roman traders.

C They may reflect weakening political power, where kings losing control over samantas tried to win allies.

D They prove that women in early India always controlled the majority of agricultural resources.

💡 Short Explanation

Land grants increased over time. Historians debate their significance. Some connect them to political weakness.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Some historians argue that increasing land grants indicate attempts by rulers to secure support from influential groups during periods of weakening authority. Grants could help maintain alliances and loyalty. The evidence does not prove eradication of poverty, Roman influence, or universal female control over agricultural resources.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Land grants do not demonstrate elimination of poverty.
Option B → Roman traders were not the primary recipients of such grants.
Option D → One example cannot prove universal female control over land.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application:

Remove absolute and unsupported claims before evaluating historical interpretations.

Final Logic:

Only Option C reflects a recognized historiographical interpretation.

🧠 Memory Trick

"More Grants = Need More Allies."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Land Grants and Political Authority

14 The Sudarshana lake inscriptions in Gujarat record its construction by the Mauryas and repairs by Shaka and Gupta rulers. Analytically, what does this frequent royal intervention suggest?

A Kings recognized that organizing and maintaining irrigation works was crucial for agricultural production and political legitimacy.

B The lake was primarily used as a naval base for maritime warfare.

C The rulers were trying to drain the lake to discover hidden Kushana gold.

D Irrigation was solely the responsibility of ordinary peasants without any state support.

💡 Short Explanation

Irrigation increased agricultural output. Multiple dynasties maintained the lake. Public works enhanced royal legitimacy.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The repeated repair and maintenance of Sudarshana Lake by different dynasties indicates the importance of irrigation for agriculture and state authority. Rulers invested resources in such projects because agricultural prosperity strengthened revenue and legitimacy. Options B, C, and D are unsupported by inscriptional evidence.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option B → The lake was an irrigation project, not a naval installation.
Option C → No inscription mentions treasure hunting or Kushana gold.
Option D → The inscriptions explicitly show state involvement in maintenance.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Link irrigation infrastructure with agricultural and political objectives.

Final Logic:

Repeated royal repairs indicate the strategic importance of irrigation.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Irrigation = Revenue + Legitimacy."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Sudarshana Lake and Irrigation

📄 Passage

"Note that the name of the ruler, Asoka, is not mentioned in the inscription (Source 10). What is used instead are titles adopted by the ruler – devanampiya, often translated as 'beloved of the gods' and piyadassi, or 'pleasant to behold'... Epigraphists have concluded that they were issued by the same ruler... Historians have to constantly assess statements made in inscriptions to judge whether they are true, plausible or exaggerations."

How do historians confidently attribute inscriptions bearing only the titles 'Devanampiya Piyadassi' to King Asoka?

A By assuming no other king in Indian history ever adopted grand titles.

B By cross-referencing these with a few specific inscriptions that include the name Asoka alongside the titles, matching their content, language, and palaeography.

C By relying entirely on the writings of the Chinese pilgrim Xuan Zang.

D By identifying the royal seal of the Gupta Empire stamped on the stones.

💡 Short Explanation

Some inscriptions mention Asoka directly. Historians compare multiple sources. Content and script support identification.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Historians attribute the title Devanampiya Piyadassi to Asoka by comparing inscriptions that explicitly mention Asoka with those using only the titles. Similar language, script, content, and historical context establish the connection. Options A, C, and D rely on assumptions or evidence not used in this identification process.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Historical identification requires evidence, not assumptions.
Option C → Chinese accounts alone cannot establish the attribution.
Option D → Gupta seals are unrelated to Mauryan inscriptions.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application:

Select the option based on historical methodology and evidence-based comparison.

Final Logic:

Cross-referencing inscriptional evidence provides the strongest historical proof.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Title + Named Inscription = Asoka."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Devanampiya Piyadassi and Asoka

📄 Passage

When analyzing an inscription where the king claims he can resolve the affairs of the people "at all times, anywhere," a critical historian following the passage's advice should:

A Accept it as a legally binding document that was executed flawlessly.

B Discard the inscription entirely as a pure mythological fabrication.

C Assume the king directly engraved the inscription himself to ensure accuracy.

D Assess whether such a claim of absolute administrative reach across a vast empire was practically plausible or an exaggeration.

💡 Short Explanation

Historians evaluate claims critically. Royal statements may exaggerate. Plausibility must be assessed.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The passage emphasizes that inscriptions must be examined critically. Historians determine whether statements are true, plausible, or exaggerated. A claim of resolving affairs everywhere at all times requires scrutiny regarding administrative realities. Options A, B, and C represent uncritical acceptance or unsupported assumptions.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Historians do not accept all royal claims at face value.
Option B → Inscriptions remain valuable sources even when exaggerated.
Option C → Personal engraving by rulers is neither assumed nor relevant.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Use the passage's emphasis on critical evaluation to identify the correct response.

Final Logic:

Historical method requires assessing plausibility rather than blind acceptance.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Inscription ≠ Automatic Truth."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Interpreting Inscriptions Critically

17 Dating undated inscriptions via palaeography is considered to have a "fair amount of precision." This relies on the fundamental methodological assumption that:

A The structural shapes of letters in a script undergo gradual, identifiable stylistic shifts over centuries.

B The stone used for engraving naturally alters its chemical composition every hundred years.

C Scribes always utilized a completely new, invented script for each consecutive dynasty.

D The depth of the engraving strictly correlates to the century it was carved in.

💡 Short Explanation

Scripts evolve gradually. Letter forms change over time. Historians compare writing styles.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Palaeography is the study of ancient writing. Historians date inscriptions by comparing changes in letter shapes and writing styles across different periods. Since scripts evolve gradually and predictably, inscriptions can be assigned approximate dates. Options B, C, and D are not accepted principles of palaeographical dating.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option B → Chemical changes in stone are not the primary basis for palaeographical dating.
Option C → Scripts usually evolve gradually rather than being completely reinvented by each dynasty.
Option D → Engraving depth depends on craftsmanship and material, not chronology.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Identify the option directly connected to the study of scripts and handwriting styles.

Final Logic:

Palaeography works because letter forms change systematically over time.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Palaeography = Shape of Letters."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Dating Inscriptions through Palaeography

18 In deciphering Kharosthi, comparing it to Greek on bilingual coins was an exercise in style comparison. This method succeeded largely because:

A Kharosthi was just Greek written backwards.

B The coins lacked any imagery, forcing scholars to focus solely on the script.

C Both scripts were completely uniform across the entire subcontinent.

D Scholars could identify common royal names, like Apollodotus, written phonetically in both scripts, allowing them to match the symbols.

💡 Short Explanation

Coins carried bilingual inscriptions. Royal names were recognizable. Symbol matching enabled decipherment.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The decipherment of Kharosthi relied on bilingual Indo-Greek coins. Scholars recognized royal names in Greek and compared them with corresponding Kharosthi inscriptions. Matching recurring sounds and symbols helped determine letter values. Options A, B, and C incorrectly describe either the script or the decipherment process.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Kharosthi was not simply Greek written backwards; it was a distinct script.
Option B → Coin imagery was not the crucial factor in decipherment.
Option C → Script uniformity across the subcontinent was neither necessary nor historically accurate.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application:

Look for the option describing a practical linguistic method used in script decipherment.

Final Logic:

Matching known royal names across two scripts enabled scholars to decode Kharosthi.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Bilingual Coins = Script Key."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Decipherment of Kharosthi

19 Analytically, what does the absence of the Asokan inscription expressing anguish over the Kalinga war in the actual region of Kalinga (present-day Orissa) suggest?

A It proves the Kalinga war was a complete fabrication by later historians.

B It raises the possibility that the recent conquest's pain made it politically unviable or insensitive to display the message there.

C It confirms that Asoka never fully established control over Kalinga.

D It demonstrates that the people of Kalinga were entirely illiterate.

💡 Short Explanation

Historians analyze absence of evidence. Political sensitivity may influence inscriptions. Context matters in interpretation.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The absence of the inscription in Kalinga does not disprove the war. Historians suggest that displaying a message about suffering caused by a recent conquest in the conquered region may have been politically inappropriate or ineffective. Options A, C, and D draw conclusions unsupported by available evidence.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Absence of an inscription cannot prove the war was fabricated.
Option C → Other evidence confirms Mauryan control over Kalinga.
Option D → Literacy levels cannot be inferred from the absence of one inscription.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application:

Reject extreme conclusions and choose the historically plausible interpretation.

Final Logic:

Political sensitivity offers the most reasonable explanation for the inscription's absence.

🧠 Memory Trick

"No Edict in Kalinga = Political Sensitivity."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Kalinga War and Asokan Edicts

20 A researcher heavily relying on royal prashastis to write a comprehensive social history of the 4th century CE will likely face which major limitation?

A Complete lack of any dates or chronological markers to frame the era.

B Overrepresentation of the economic grievances of the gahapatis and marginalized groups.

C The records will predominantly project the grand achievements and specific viewpoints of the elite patrons, ignoring routine agricultural life.

D The inability to translate the texts because Sanskrit was lost by that century.

💡 Short Explanation

Prashastis praise rulers. Elite perspectives dominate. Everyday social life is underrepresented.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Royal prashastis were composed to glorify rulers and highlight their achievements. They provide valuable political information but often neglect the experiences of cultivators, artisans, women, and other social groups. Therefore, relying solely on them creates a biased social history. Options A, B, and D do not reflect the actual limitations of prashastis.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Many inscriptions contain useful chronological information.
Option B → Prashastis rarely focus on grievances of ordinary people.
Option D → Sanskrit remained a well-understood literary language and is translatable.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Consider the purpose of a prashasti and identify the limitation arising from its intended audience.

Final Logic:

Sources written to praise rulers naturally emphasize elite viewpoints over everyday social realities.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Prashasti = Praise, Not People."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Prashastis and Their Limitations

CUET UG History Booster Test 3 - Epigraphy, Inscriptions and Historical Sources

Test Complete!

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