Q. Consider the following with reference to the scripts used in the inscriptions of Asoka:

1. Brahmi was the most commonly used script
2. The Kharosthi script was used exclusively in the north-western part of Ashoka’s empire

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Answer: Both 1 and 2
Notes: Brahmi was indeed the most commonly used script in the inscriptions of Emperor Ashoka. It was used across the Mauryan empire except in the northwest, where the Kharoshthi script was used. Both these scripts have greatly influenced the development of modern Indian scripts and other Southeast Asian alphabets. The Brahmi script, over time, got replaced, forgotten, and became unreadable. However, the inscriptions of Ashoka helped Europeans to be aware of Brahmi, which was deciphered later in 1837 by James Prinsep.