The correct option is (c) 2 and 3 only.
Explanation
Manuscripts are ancient documents written by hand, derived from the Latin word manu (meaning hand). In the Indian context, they were typically written on palm leaves or the prepared bark of the birch tree. They serve as crucial literary sources for understanding the socio-cultural, political, and scientific history of ancient times.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: Manuscripts did not deal exclusively with administrative records. While administrative details were recorded, manuscripts covered a vast array of subjects including religious beliefs, practices, epics, poems, and plays. Administrative records were more commonly found on inscriptions (stone or copper plates) than on perishable manuscripts.
- Statement 2 is Correct: Manuscripts frequently contained accounts of the lives of kings. These biographies, often referred to as Charitas (e.g., Harshacharita by Banabhatta), provide insights into the reign, conquests, and personal lives of rulers.
- Statement 3 is Correct: Ancient texts dealt extensively with technical and scientific subjects. This includes treatises on medicine (e.g., Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita), mathematics, and astronomy (e.g., works by Aryabhata and Varahamihira).
Key Takeaway:
Ancient manuscripts were diverse in content, encompassing religious texts, royal biographies, and scientific treatises on medicine and astronomy, rather than being limited to administrative documentation.