As Stacey is locked securely in my basement for the evening, it looks like you are stuck with me.
First, a reprint of the question:
The Achaemenid empire of Persia reached the Indus valley in the fifth century B.C, bringing
the Aramaic script with it, from which was derived both northern and southern Indian alphabets.
A) same as above
B) the Aramaic script with it, and from which deriving both the northern and the
C) with it the Aramaic script, from which derive both the northern and the
D) with it the Aramaic script, from which derives both northern and
E) with it the Aramaic script, and deriving from it both the northern and the
My explanation:
A) "from which" seems to incorrectly refer to the empire (referenced by the pronoun "it") rather than to the script. Also, the singular verb "was derived" does not agree in number with the plural subject "northern and southern Indian alphabets". Finally, the subject "northern and southern Indian alphabets" is unclear: are there several alphabets, or only one of each?
B) "and" creates a lack of connection between the two parts of the sentence. Additionally, "deriving" is an incorrect verb tense.
C) CORRECT. "From which" correctly refers to the script. Additionally, "derive," a plural verb, correctly agrees with the plural subject "the Northern and the Southern Indian alphabets."
D) "derives," a singular verb, does not agree with the plural subject "Northern and Southern Indian alphabets."
E) The second pronoun "it" is ambiguous: does it refer to the "empire" or to the "script"? Additionally, the original intent of the sentence is significantly changed in meaning.
Hope that helps!