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

Page 64

The Background (6th-8th Century A.D.)
55
ya, etc., are also the noteworthy forms. Dani28 refers to the closed loop in the letter ma whereas in the photographic reproduction of the inscription the loop is unclear.29
In Jhālrāpāțan ta developed into triangled-topped variety, ņa took new shape, ma has a small loop, ya is of bipartite type and ra developed a tail at the foot. A variety of the archaic oval tha is found in this inscription. The conjunct tta is of peculiar variety in which full form of both letters is separately formed one upon the others, the lower one being smaller (Pl. 25, A7).
Most of the medial signs in Jhālrāpātan inscription are similar to the corresponding signs of the Bānskherā Plate. Optionally, the curve of medials i and i extends up to the lower portion of the letter and bends towards left or right (Pls. 5–8, Tables Ag & A7). Sometimes, a kind of hook form is used for medial a in Vasantgadh inscription (cf, Pls. 3-4, see tā, mā, lā, sā, sā and hā). Twisted ā medial is also noteworthy in pā (Pl. 4, A).
The further developments in the alphabet during eighth century A.D. are represented in Tables Ag, A, and A10, taken from Tasāī and Khandelā inscriptions (Rajasthan), Indragadh inscription of Nannappa, Saugor and Chhoti Deori inscriptions of Sankaragana I (all in M.P.). Of these, Khandelā inscription (A.D. 807) belongs to slightly later period in which different limbs of the letters are formed thick and thin in an artistic manner. It seems that originally the inscription was written by brush or some tool like that.
The head-mark of Sankaragana's inscriptions developed into linear form while in other inscriptions it is in a solid triangular form. The alphabet of the Indragadh inscription closely resembles that of the Jhālrāpātan. But letters ka, kha, ga, ja, tha, da, ya, la, va, etc., of the present inscription are of a more developed variety. Initial u looks Nāgarī in form. Sometimes, the right curve of the letter ka is turned inside and inner curve of letter becomes rounded. The middle bar of the letter ja is prolonged with downwards bent. Ta shows a developed head-mark, da has a short tail and sa retains left hook.