Concept:Ashoka's edicts were mainly written in Prakrit because it was the common spoken language of the people during the Mauryan period.
Explanation:Most of Ashoka’s edicts are inscribed in the Prakrit language, which was widely understood by ordinary people across the empire.
Prakrit was chosen over Sanskrit to ensure the emperor’s messages on Dhamma (righteousness) reached the masses effectively.
The edicts were carved on rocks and pillars using the Brahmi script (and sometimes Kharosthi).
In some border regions like Kandahar, Greek and Aramaic scripts were also used to communicate with local communities.
Prakrit refers to a group of middle Indo-Aryan languages such as Magadhi, Shauraseni, and Ardhamagadhi, which were also used in Jain and Buddhist texts.
Ashoka’s 33 inscriptions provide historical details about his reign, his conversion to Buddhism after the Kalinga War, and his policies on non-violence, religious tolerance, and ethical governance.
These edicts are among the earliest examples of written communication by an Indian ruler.
Answer:C. Prakrit