The correct option is (c) 2 and 3 only.
Explanation
In the context of medieval Indian history, information regarding tribal societies is distinct from that of settled agricultural communities. Unlike the administrative and courtly records kept by empires, tribal history is largely reconstructed through alternative sources due to the specific nature of tribal cultural preservation.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: Tribal societies in medieval India generally did not keep written records, particularly not detailed histories in Sanskrit. Sanskrit was primarily the language of the Brahmanical and courtly elite. The absence of written documents is a primary challenge for historians studying tribal groups of this period.
- Statement 2 is Correct: Despite the lack of written records, tribal people preserved extremely rich customs and oral traditions. These traditions encompassed their social rules, religious beliefs, and community histories.
- Statement 3 is Correct: These oral traditions and customs were passed down verbally from one generation to the next. Present-day historians use these oral traditions to write tribal histories, acknowledging them as valid historical sources.
Key Takeaway:
Tribal societies in medieval India were predominantly non-literate in the formal sense and did not maintain written archives; their history and culture were preserved and transmitted exclusively through oral traditions.