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84
Development of Nāgarī Script
In ligatures curved form of k still persists. Khyā of Table Bu is of modern type. Gma of Table B 14 is formed side by side. Superscript n of Maharashtra is still in two armed form while in other regions upper arm merges in the head-mark. Jña of Table B12 is peculiar. Superscript ñ of Table B 14 shows both forms-cursive and full. Conjunction with the initial letter t shows the use of modern practice. Superscript s of Table Bu approaches the modern form. Rya of Table BU (Pl. 58) shows the old pattern of conjuncting the full form of the letters which is peculiar in formation.
Medial ā is generally shown in long vertical form and optionally in cursive form (cf. jā, tā, ņā, Pl. 33). The medial u of Table B11 is in wedged shape while in general cursive form is employed. For e more than one form is used in which top-stroke variety is more common. In other forms, Table B11 shows a full extended line to the left of the letter. Inscriptions of Maharashtra reveal the use of a hook to the left top.
The evolution of alphabets during the 10th century A.D. is recorded in Tables C14 and Cus; derived respectively from the Bagumrā Plates of Indrarāja III (A.D. 914) and Deoli Plates of Krishna III (A.D. 940). In this period the head mark developed into full covering line. Letters have a rightwards bend at the lower extremity. The initial a is of two varietes, representing modern features. A of Table C14 shows archaism in joining stroke to the middle of the vertical line. I of Table Cis shows an additional stroke in the lower portion. E is yet to develop a long tail. The use of archaic curved form of ka may be seen in kri (Pl. 73) and ligatures (P1 89). The left limbs of the letters kha, ga and sa show a hollow triangular loop. Sometimes, the right portion of the letter kha is in the form of an outer loop with open mouth like eastern India. The letter gha shows a process of development, the full middle arm of Table C14 is reduced into a tick in Table C15 (Pl. 61). Chha is of the oval variety with a tail. The lower arm of ja is short in Table C14, but in the other inscription it has taken an elegant cursive feature and middle bar is in the process of taking vertical shape. Tha is yet to develop the head-mark. Lower limb of da is
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