Development and uses of writing

Correct answer: A. To understand period, region and official communication

The language and script of an inscription can provide clues about its date, geographical region, political authority and cultural contacts. Changes in writing forms are also useful for relative dating. They cannot change weather, harvest crops or colour paintings; those options are unrelated to historical analysis.

Correct answer: A. To understand dynastic traditions

Genealogies in the Puranas preserve traditions about rulers, dynasties and succession. They can help historians identify political lineages and compare traditions across regions. However, genealogies may contain omissions, legendary elements or chronological problems, so they should be checked against inscriptions, coins and archaeology. The other options are unrelated.

Correct answer: A. Glimpses of society and moral stories

Jataka tales are Buddhist narratives about the previous births of the Buddha. Along with moral teaching, they contain references to occupations, markets, towns, social groups and everyday practices. These details offer glimpses of society, though they are literary and didactic texts rather than direct statistical records. They do not decode the Indus script or prove a gold mine.

Correct answer: A. Information about social rules and duties

Smritis and Dharmasutras discuss norms concerning conduct, duties, family relations, social categories, rituals and obligations. They mainly describe ideals prescribed by learned authorities, not necessarily the way every person lived. Historians therefore compare them with other evidence. Cave paintings, fish trade and weather reports are not their defining subject.