The correct option is (b) 2 only
Explanation
The availability and usage of paper in the Indian subcontinent underwent a significant transformation between the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. This period marks the transition from the use of traditional writing materials (like palm leaves and birch bark) to the widespread adoption of paper, which facilitated the proliferation of manuscripts and administrative records.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Incorrect. Historical records indicate that in the middle of the thirteenth century, paper was scarce and expensive. A well-known historical anecdote notes that a scholar who wished to copy a book during this period could not find enough paper. Consequently, he was forced to wash the writing off an existing manuscript he no longer needed and dry the paper to reuse it. This demonstrates a lack of abundance.
- Statement 2 is Correct. By the fourteenth century, the production and availability of paper had increased drastically, making it cheap and easily accessible. Historical accounts suggest that paper became so common that if a person bought food in the market, the shopkeeper would wrap it in paper. This indicates a mass availability that did not exist a century earlier.
Key Takeaway:
There was a sharp contrast in the availability of paper during the Delhi Sultanate period: it was a scarce luxury in the mid-13th century but became a common, cheap commodity by the 14th century.