The correct option is (b) 2 only.
Explanation
Ancient Indian manuscripts were inscribed on various materials based on regional availability. In the Himalayan region, birch bark was the primary medium, whereas palm leaves were predominantly used in peninsular India.- Statement 1 is Incorrect: The manuscript of the Rigveda found in Kashmir was written on birch bark (bhurjapatra), not on palm leaves. Birch trees are native to the Himalayas, making their bark a common writing material in Kashmir, distinct from the palm leaf manuscripts found in southern and eastern India.
- Statement 2 is Correct: This specific birch bark manuscript was used to prepare one of the earliest printed texts (critical editions) of the Rigveda approximately 150 years ago. It was utilized by scholars such as Max Müller for this purpose and is currently preserved at the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute in Pune.
Key Takeaway: The Kashmir manuscript of the Rigveda, which served as the basis for early printed editions, is written on birch bark, reflecting the specific writing traditions of the Himalayan region.