Limitations of Inscriptional Evidence| Class 12 History Notes
Last Updated :
16 Apr, 2024
Class 12 History Notes Chapter 2: CBSE Class 12 History Notes are important for students studying Social Science, as History is a crucial sub-subject that requires properly written answers. Scoring well in History is just as important as other subjects.
Class 12 History Notes Chapter 2 discusses the limitations of inscriptional evidence in easy-to-understand language. These notes are created by subject experts to help students understand the challenges historians face when studying ancient inscriptions. They explain things like technical difficulties, damaged or missing letters, unclear meanings of words, and inscriptions that haven’t been deciphered yet. By using simple explanations, students can learn about the obstacles historians encounter when trying to understand the past through inscriptions.
What is Inscriptions?
Inscriptions are writings engraved on hard surfaces like rocks, stones, metal, or walls of buildings. They told important stories from the past. People used different languages like Prakrit, Sanskrit, and Kannada to write these inscriptions.
They give valuable information about the past. The Ashokan Inscription is one of the oldest rock inscriptions. It was written in the Brahmi script and talks about the significant Kalinga War, which had a big impact on Ashoka’s life.
Limitations of Inscriptional Evidence
Limitations of inscriptional evidence include:
Technical Limitations: Sometimes, letters are faintly engraved, making it hard to read the inscriptions clearly.
Damaged or Missing Letters: Important letters can be damaged or missing in inscriptions, complicating the work for epigraphists.
Lack of Clarity: It is not always easy to understand the exact meaning of words in inscriptions, especially if they’re specific to a certain place or time. This leads to ongoing debates among scholars about how to interpret them.
Undeciphered Inscriptions: While thousands of inscriptions have been found, not all of them have been deciphered, published, or translated. Many inscriptions have been lost over time, so what we have now is only a small part of what once existed.
Non-relevance of Inscriptions: Inscriptions focus on praising kings and patrons, leaving out everyday life details like agricultural practices or common people’s experiences. This makes it challenging for epigraphists to provide a complete picture of society based solely on inscriptions.
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Limitations of Inscriptional Evidence- FAQs
What are inscriptions?
Inscriptions are ancient writings engraved on hard surfaces like rocks, stones, or metal.
What is meant by the limitations of inscriptional evidence?
Limitations of inscriptional evidence refer to the challenges and constraints faced when interpreting ancient inscriptions for historical understanding.
What are some technical limitations of inscriptions?
Technical limitations include faintly engraved letters, damage to inscriptions, and missing letters, which can make deciphering difficult.
Why is there a lack of clarity in some inscriptions?
Some inscriptions may contain words that are unclear or specific to a particular time or place, leading to ambiguity in interpretation.
How many inscriptions have been deciphered and translated?
While thousands of inscriptions have been discovered, not all of them have been deciphered, published, or translated into understandable language.
What perspective do inscriptions often reflect?
Inscriptions focus on grand events and praise for rulers, neglecting the everyday experiences of common people.
How do historians overcome the limitations of inscriptional evidence?
Historians must carefully analyze inscriptions alongside other historical sources to gain a comprehensive understanding of the past.
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