Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The Bakshali Manuscript written in the Gatha language (a refined version of old Prakrit) using the Sharada script deals with topics such as fractions, square roots, arithmetic and geometric progressions. 2. In the field of geometry, Aryabhatta described the various properties of a circle giving a very accurate value for pi (π) correct to four decimal places as 3.1416. 3. Sharangadhara Samhita is an important text on political system of ancient India. Select the correct answer using the code given below : (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 1 and 3 only (c) 1 and 2 only (d) 2 only

Statement 1 is correct; the Bakhshali Manuscript, discovered in 1881, is written in the Sharada script and uses a form of Gatha Sanskrit (a hybrid of Sanskrit and Prakrit). It is a significant mathematical text covering fractions, square roots, and progressions [1]. Statement 2 is also correct; Aryabhatta, in his treatise 'Aryabhatiya', provided a remarkably accurate approximation for pi (π) as 3.1416, calculated to four decimal places, and discussed various geometric properties of circles [1]. Statement 3 is incorrect; the Sharangadhara Samhita is a renowned 14th-century Ayurvedic text focusing on pharmacology and pharmacy (Bhaishajya Kalpana), not a political treatise. Political systems were typically the domain of texts like the Arthasastra [2]. Therefore, only statements 1 and 2 are accurate.

Sources

1. [1] Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 12: Earth, Moon, and the Sun > FASCINATING FACTS > p. 175
2. [2] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 5: Evolution of Society in South India > Literary > p. 64