In the Western Indian manuscript tradition, the text on palm leaves was primarily inscribed using:

The correct option is A reed pen or brush dipped in ink.

Explanation

The tradition of palm-leaf manuscripts in India is broadly divided into two geographical zones based on the technique of inscription: the Northern/Western tradition and the Southern tradition. This distinction arose partly due to the varieties of palm leaves available and regional scribal practices.

Detailed Analysis:

• Western Indian Tradition (Ink and Pen): In Western India (Gujarat and Rajasthan), particularly within the Jain manuscript tradition, the text was written on palm leaves using a reed pen or brush dipped in ink. The palm leaves used were typically of the Corypha umbraculifera (Talipot) variety, which were smooth and flexible, allowing for calligraphy and the painting of miniature illustrations directly on the surface.
• Southern Indian Tradition (Stylus and Incision): In contrast, the manuscript tradition in Southern India (and parts of Odisha) primarily utilized a sharp metal stylus to incise or scratch letters into the leaf. This was necessitated by the use of the Borassus flabellifer (Palmyra) leaf, which was thicker and more fibrous; using a pen on this surface would often cause the ink to spread. After incision, lampblack or turmeric paste was rubbed into the grooves to make the text visible.

Key Takeaway:

The Western Indian manuscript tradition is characterized by the use of ink and reed pens/brushes for writing and painting, whereas the Southern Indian tradition is characterized by the use of a metal stylus for incision.