The correct option is (a) 1 only.
Explanation
Historical sources are broadly classified into literary and archaeological categories. Manuscripts and inscriptions represent two distinct forms of written records used to reconstruct history, differentiated primarily by the materials used and their durability.- Statement 1 is Correct: Manuscripts (derived from the Latin word manu, meaning hand) are handwritten documents. In ancient India, they were usually written on palm leaves or on the specially prepared bark of a tree known as the birch, which is found in the Himalayas.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: Inscriptions are writings engraved on relatively hard surfaces such as stone, rocks, pillars, or metal (e.g., copper plates). They were not written on soft surfaces like cloth. The hardness of the material is the defining characteristic of an inscription.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: Since manuscripts were written on organic, soft materials, they were highly perishable. Many were destroyed by insects or decayed due to weather conditions over centuries. In contrast, inscriptions have a significantly higher survival rate because they were engraved on durable materials like stone and metal that withstand environmental factors better than organic matter.
Key Takeaway: The fundamental difference between manuscripts and inscriptions lies in the medium: manuscripts are handwritten on perishable soft materials (palm leaf, birch bark), while inscriptions are engraved on durable hard surfaces (stone, metal).