Correct Option
The correct option is (b).
Explanation
Ashokan inscriptions are a collection of 33 inscriptions on the Pillars of Ashoka as well as boulders and cave walls, made by the Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan Empire during his reign. These inscriptions are dispersed throughout the areas of modern-day Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, representing the first tangible evidence of Buddhism and Ashoka's administration.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: The inscription found at Kandahar is not written on a palm leaf. It is a rock inscription. Ashokan edicts were carved on stone (rocks and pillars) to ensure durability and permanence, whereas palm leaves are perishable and typically used for manuscripts.
- Statement 2 is Correct: The Kandahar inscription is a famous bilingual edict. It is inscribed in two different scripts and languages: Greek (top) and Aramaic (bottom). This reflects the presence of Greek and Aramaic-speaking populations in the northwestern part of the Mauryan Empire (modern Afghanistan).
- Statement 3 is Correct: Ashoka ruled in the 3rd century BCE (approximately 268–232 BCE). This time period corresponds to roughly 2250 years ago. The inscription dates to this era, specifically around 260 BCE.
- Statement 4 is Incorrect: Kandahar is located in present-day Afghanistan, not Pakistan. It was a strategic region known as Arachosia in ancient times, bordering the Seleucid Empire.
Key Takeaway: The Kandahar Bilingual Rock Inscription is a crucial evidence of Ashoka's control over the northwestern frontier (Afghanistan) and demonstrates the use of Greek and Aramaic scripts to communicate Dhamma to a diverse population.