Consider the following statements comparing manuscripts and inscriptions: 1. Manuscripts were usually written on palm leaf or birch bark. 2. Inscriptions were written on soft surfaces like cloth. 3. Manuscripts have a higher survival rate against insects compared to inscriptions. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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).

NCERT Class 6 History — Chapter 1: What, where, how and when?

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Consider the following statements comparing manuscripts and inscriptions:

Manuscripts were usually written on palm leaf or birch bark.
Inscriptions were written on soft surfaces like cloth.
Manuscripts have a higher survival rate against insects compared to inscriptions.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 only
B2 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

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).

Your note

More from Chapter 1: What, where, how and when?

Consider the following statements regarding the development of agriculture in the Indian subcontinent: 1. The Garo hills to the north-east were one of the areas where agriculture developed. 2. Rice was first grown in the Sulaiman hills. 3. The earliest cities flourished in the Vindhyan region before the Indus valley. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Arrange the following events in chronological order (from earliest to latest): 1. Development of cities on the banks of the Ganga. 2. Beginning of agriculture in Sulaiman and Kirthar hills. 3. Flourishing of earliest cities on the Indus. 4. Composition of the Rigveda. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below: List I | List II A. Sulaiman Hills | 1. First cities (4700 years ago) B. Indus River | 2. Cities about 2500 years ago C. Ganga Valley | 3. Rearing of animals and early crops D. Vindhyas | 4. Agriculture developed

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Consider the following statements regarding the shift of urbanization: 1. Urbanization first occurred in the Indus valley. 2. Cities in the Ganga valley developed before those in the Indus valley. 3. The gap between these two phases is less than 500 years. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

hard

With reference to the earliest human settlements in the Narmada valley, which of the following statements best describes the livelihood of the people?

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Keep practising Chapter 1: What, where, how and when?

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The correct option is (a) 1 only.

Explanation

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.