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
with left curve in a and ā are shortened or disappear. I retains its old double dots and one curve shape. In u, a knob appears at the upper end of lower curve which becomes the common variety of Jaina-Nāgarī. Rare au is found in a peculiar variety which looks like headless initial a with an additional upright stroke at the left curve.
Among consonants ja occurs in modern Nāgarī shape, while the inscriptions of 12th century A.D. generally show the transitional phase of the letter. The diverging features from the usual Nāgarī are marked in chha and tha. Both represent their shape as in Jaina-Nāgarī. Gha still retains its left notched shape horizontally. Dha is yet to develop its upper oblique. Pha is of modern Nāgarī variety with only the difference of crooked right appendage instead of modern curve. Here, the shape of ya is more angularized than in the inscriptions or in the manuscriptions of other regions. Bha retains its broader archaic shape. Other consonants occur in their matured Nāgarī shapes. Ligatures ksha, chchha and jña represent distinctive features as in Jaina-Nāgari. Subscript tha retains its oval shape.
Twelfth Century
The development in alphabets during the 12th century A.D. is illustrated in Table M4 which is derived from the palm-leaf manuscript of A.D. 1118 (now preserved in the collection of the Jaina Trust, Jaisalmer). Most of the letters and medial signs are found in their modern Nāgari shapes. Even the left portion of gha shows a process of vertically placed notched form. But at the same time archaism is retained in some letters such as ta, na and bha with their broader or cursive form. Dha is yet to develop its upper horn like shape. I still retains its old dots and curved shape. In ligatures, ksha draws the attention which is formed by adding ñ like shape to the left of the letter ka.
Table Ms is derived from the Sārdha-śataka palm-leaf manuscript (c. A.D. 1125-50), now preserved in the collection of Jaina Trust, Jaisalmer). We come across developed form of Nāgari alphabet in these folios. The