Consider the following statements about ancient Indian inscriptions : 1. The earliest inscriptions are in Sanskrit. 2. Kharosthi script, used in inscriptions in the north-west, was deciphered with the help of coins of Indo-Greek kings who ruled over the area. 3. Most of the inscriptions mention grand, unique events, and routine agricultural practices do not find mention. How many of the above statements is/are correct ?

Based on historical evidence, statements 2 and 3 are correct, while statement 1 is incorrect.

• Statement 1 is incorrect: The earliest inscriptions in India (Ashokan edicts, 3rd century BCE) were written in Prakrit, the language of the common people. Sanskrit inscriptions appeared much later, with the Junagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman (c. 150 CE) being one of the first major examples.
• Statement 2 is correct: The Kharosthi script used in the north-west was deciphered by scholars like James Prinsep using bilingual coins issued by Indo-Greek kings. These coins featured names of kings written in both Greek (which scholars could read) and Kharosthi, allowing for a phonetic match.
• Statement 3 is correct: Epigraphy has limitations; inscriptions generally record grand events, royal victories, or religious donations. Routine activities, such as daily agricultural practices or the lives of common people, are rarely mentioned in these formal records.