Question

In India, the manuscripts were traditionally written on ______ and _______
a. palm leaves b. stone slates c. bhurjapattra d. wood panels

• A. b and c
• B. b and d
• C. a and b
• D. a and c

Hint:

Traditional manuscripts in India used natural materials like palm leaves and birch bark—preserved with great care for religious, literary, and scholarly purposes.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

In ancient India, manuscripts were commonly written on natural materials that were abundant and suitable for inscription. Two widely used traditional writing surfaces were:

Palm leaves: Especially used in southern and eastern India. The leaves were dried, treated, and inscribed using a stylus.
Bhurjapattra (birch bark): Used in northern regions, especially in Kashmir and the Himalayas. It is derived from the bark of the Bhojpatra tree.
Explanation of Other Options:

(B) and (D): Stone slates and wood panels were not common for manuscript writing.
(C): Stone slates were used for inscriptions, not manuscripts.