Development of Nagari Script

SR No.: 006800
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: A K Singh
Publisher: Parimal Publication
Publication Year: 1991
Total Pages: 386
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 6 MB

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Development of Nāgarī Script
subscript tha is of old double-looped variety. Medials are in modern Nägarī shapes. The only exception is noticed in the vertical form of e.
13th Century
Table Fz is taken from Kūrethā Plate of Pratīhāra Malayavarmā (A.D. 1220). This inscription denotes further development in Nāgarī script of which almost all letters attain their modern counterparts. Development is needed only in initial i, ja, dha and bha. I shows of peculiar variety (Pl. 153, F3). The right limb of ja is yet to become a single vertical. Dha loses its upper top-mark and left arm of bha is still falling downwards. The remarkable development which draws attention is the modern shape of cha. As for the medial vowels, only the top-stroke form of e occurs in this inscription. In it a new innovation is marked in forming a circle at the upper extremity. But perpendicular form is maintained in ai and au.
Rajasthan 11th Century
For the study of 11th century alphabets in Rajasthan area the Banswārā Plates of Paramāra Bhojadeva (A.D. 1019) and Kadmāl Plates of Guhil Vijayasimha (A.D. 1083) are selected and illustrated in Tables D, and D10. Kadmāl Plates which belong to later pericd display more advanced forms of the alphabet than Banswārā Plates. Among initial vowels two letters, i.e. i and e, draw attention. Of these i is of archaic form with two circles and one curve below. In e new innovation is marked in the formation of left limb in a single stroke. This is the real base of modern Nāgarī e. Other initial vowels a, ā, u and ū also occur in their fully developed form.
Among consonants, the left limb of kha, ga and sa show a triangular loop in Table D, whereas it develops into modern rounded form in ga and tailed shape in kha and śa in Table Dio. In Table Dio gha occurs in
developed Nāgarī form and ia denotes a peculiar form which looks like initial ū. In dha of Kadmāl Plates a new innovation is marked in the formation of an oblique stroke at the upper angle, while other inscriptions