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The Period of Transition (9th-10th Century A.D.)
Eastern India
The regional style of writing in Eastern India maintained its originality at least up to the 8th century A.D. Subsequently, the trend was modified under the extraneous influences during the rule of the Palas of Bengal and Bihar. With these changes, the proto-Nagarī script of Western India for a long time obscured the evolution of the Gaudi script. However, some letters still retain their distinguishing features which are elaborated in the succeeding paragraphs.
Ar. Inscriptions of Palas
Table B1 is taken from Nalanda and Mungir Plates of Devapāladeva (c. A.D. 810-50) and Table B2 from the Gaya and Badal inscriptions of Nārāyaṇapāla (A.D. 854-908). The lower end of letters turned less to the right in Mungir and Gaya epigraphs than Nālandā and Badal. The alphabet of Badal pillar inscription, which is in the East is more archaic than that of the Gaya inscription in the West.
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Among initial vowels, the vertical line of a has a foot-mark with upwards (but optionally downwards also) extended lower left curve and slanted middle bar in Nālandā inscription while in Table B2 middle bar becomes parallel. Initial ā has now a vertical line to the right of the letter to mark long ā. A different type of a is found in Badal inscription, which is the peculiarity of the region. Initial i shows a developing feature, formed by a short horizontal line at the top and two circles or dots below. Sometimes, a short vertical line is also attached to the horizontal line and lower two circles are formed on both sides of this vertical line (Table B1). E has developed a tail (Pl. 45, B1 & B2). The rare initial o is of peculiar variety (Pl. 49, B1) and au is formed by adding an upward curve to the right middle of initial o (Pl. 51, B1).
Among consonants, right curve of the letter ka is prolonged. Kha is of two varieties-one with an inner triangular loop and the other is of eastern variety with an outer triangle and open mouth. Gha is on its way of development in which upper part comes closer and left curve raised above the level of the right one. Cha retains its beaked shape. The lowest
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