Question

4-What are the inscriptions? How do they help us to study the past?

Answer 1

 Inscriptions are historical writings typically carved on hard surfaces (eg.Rocks,stones etc.)

Inscriptions are very important for historians and archaelogists as :-

They contain writings of important events that took place.They also contain the thoughts and views of kings.(Eg. Ashokan Inscriptions)They sometimes also contain the orders of the king.

A very unique inscription in Indian History is Ashokan Inscriptions or the Edicts of Ashoka. Edicts of Ashoka are a series of 33 inscriptions on pillars , caves,walls etc. found throughout the Indian Subcontinent and a little beyond it.They contain not only Ashoka’s story about how bloodshed effected and moved him,but also his views and thoughts on Buddhism.The simple rules of Buddhism were also carved on the pillars for the common people to read.Edicts of Ashoka have been phenominal for the historians to find out more about the Mauryan period.