The correct answer is C. Inscriptions of Ashoka.
The inscriptions of Ashoka are the single most important source of the history of Ashoka. They are a series of edicts, rock carvings, and pillars that were inscribed by Ashoka, the third Mauryan emperor, during his reign from 272 to 232 BCE. The inscriptions provide a wealth of information about Ashoka’s life, reign, and policies. They also provide insights into the history and culture of India during the Mauryan period.
The Sri Lankan chronicles Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa are also important sources of information about Ashoka. However, they were written several centuries after Ashoka’s death, and they may not be entirely accurate. The Buddhist works Divyavadana and Ashokavadana are also important sources of information about Ashoka, but they are primarily concerned with his religious activities.
Archaeological sources and the Puranas are also sources of information about Ashoka, but they are not as important as the inscriptions of Ashoka. The archaeological sources provide information about Ashoka’s buildings and monuments, but they do not provide much information about his life or reign. The Puranas are a collection of Hindu texts that were written several centuries after Ashoka’s death. They contain some information about Ashoka, but it is not always reliable.
In conclusion, the inscriptions of Ashoka are the single most important source of the history of Ashoka. They provide a wealth of information about Ashoka’s life, reign, and policies. They also provide insights into the history and culture of India during the Mauryan period.