The correct option is (d) Neither 1 nor 2.
Explanation
Historical texts are classified based on the material used for writing and the method of inscription. The primary distinction between inscriptions and manuscripts lies in the hardness of the surface and the durability of the record.Statement 1 is Incorrect: Inscriptions are writings engraved on hard surfaces such as stone, metal (e.g., copper plates), or baked clay. Due to the durability of the medium, inscriptions were often used for official royal orders, such as the Edicts of Ashoka, or for recording land grants. Palm leaves are soft materials used for manuscripts.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: Manuscripts are handwritten documents (derived from the Latin word 'manu', meaning hand). They were written on soft surfaces such as palm leaves or the specially prepared bark of the birch tree (commonly found in the Himalayas). Unlike inscriptions, manuscripts are perishable and susceptible to decay or destruction by insects.
Key Takeaway: Inscriptions are engravings on hard, durable surfaces (stone/metal), whereas Manuscripts are handwritten texts on soft, perishable materials (palm leaf/birch bark).