Which one of the following statements about Rabatak inscription is not correct?
- (a)It throws important light on Kushana genealogy.
- (b)It refers to Kanishka as 'a king of kings and a son of God'.
- (c)The 23-line inscription is written in Gandhari language.
- (d)It mentions names of States which were part of Kanishka's empire.
Correct — C, this statement is NOT correct. The Rabatak inscription is written in the BACTRIAN language (in a modified Greek script), not in Gandhari. The other statements are true: it clarifies Kushana genealogy, calls Kanishka a 'king of kings' and 'son of God', and lists cities/regions under his rule.
- (a)It throws important light on Kushana genealogy — True — the inscription names Kanishka's royal predecessors (Kujula Kadphises, Vima Taktu, Vima Kadphises), fixing the Kushana dynastic line.
- (b)It refers to Kanishka as 'a king of kings and a son of God' — True — the inscription uses grand royal titles for Kanishka, including 'king of kings'.
- (d)It mentions names of States which were part of Kanishka's empire — True — it lists Indian cities/regions (e.g. Saketa, Kausambi, Pataliputra) said to be under Kanishka's authority.
The Rabatak inscription, found in 1993 in Baghlan province, Afghanistan, is a key Kushana-era record. Inscribed on stone in the Bactrian language using an adapted Greek alphabet, it sets out Kanishka I's genealogy and the extent of his empire, and is central to dating the Kushanas.
This is a 'find the false statement' item. Three statements correctly describe the inscription's content; only the claim about its language is wrong — it is Bactrian (Greek script), not Gandhari (which uses the Kharosthi script). Recognising the Bactrian-language fact isolates option (c).
- The Rabatak inscription is in the Bactrian language, written in Greek script.
- It was discovered in 1993 in Baghlan, Afghanistan.
- It records Kushana genealogy up to Kanishka I.
- It lists Indian cities/regions under Kanishka's rule.
- Assuming the inscription is in Gandhari (Kharosthi) — it is Bactrian (Greek script).
- Doubting the genealogy/titles statements, which are correct.
Asked as the incorrect statement about the Rabatak inscription, or its language/content.
No directly related past PYQ was found.
- practice — not a real PYQ
The Rabatak inscription is written in which language?
- (a)Sanskrit
- (b)Bactrian
- (c)Pali
- (d)Tamil
Answer(b) Bactrian (in a Greek-derived script).
- practice — not a real PYQ
The Rabatak inscription is chiefly associated with which ruler?
- (a)Ashoka
- (b)Kanishka I
- (c)Chandragupta II
- (d)Harsha
Answer(b) Kanishka I.