Book Title: Development of Nagari Script
Author(s): A K Singh
Publisher: Parimal Publication

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Page 206
________________ 106 Development of Nāgarī Script of northern Nāgari alphabet which indicates that, with the expansion of the Muslim rule, northern Nāgarī spread to the eastern region, the most remarkable development of which is the occurrence of modern looking forms of the letters ja and bha, while other inscriptions of earlier or current period show only their progressive features. As for other letters, they are found to be fully developed to approach their modern counterparts. Ligatures are in Nāgarī style excepting for the use of two armed superscribed d and peculiar tailless s. Medial e retains left slanting top-stroke, however, in some cases left vertical form are also employed. It can also be noticed in medial o. All other medial signs are in fully developed Nāgarī shapes. One notable point about these inscriptions is their relationship with Muslim rulers. Definitely, it was the force of tradition and popularity of Nāgari in that period which compelled Muslim rulers to use it side by side with their own script. This is further evident from the accommodation of Nāgarī alphabet on Muslim coins. As for example: Mohammed of Ghaznā (A.D. 1027), Mohammed Bin Sam (A.D. 1193-1206), Mohammed Bin Mohammed (A.D. 1206), Shamsu-d-din Iltutmish (A.D. 1210-35), Ruknu-d-din Firuz Shah (A.D. 1235), Raziyya (1236-40), Muizzu-d-din Baharam Shah (A.D. 1240-42), Alau-d-din Masud Shah (A.D. 1242-46), Nasiru-d-din Mohammed (A.D. 1246-66), Ghiyasu-d-din Balban (A.D. 1266-87), Muizzu-d-din Kaikubad (A.D. 1287-90), Jalalu-d-din Firuz (A.D. 1290-96), Alau-d-din Mohammed Shah (A.D. 1296-1316) and others employed Nāgarī for writing legends on their coins. Assam The script of Assam was influenced by proto-Nāgarī in the preceding periods, which eventually diverges in this period and shows the same process of development as does Bengālī. However, the script of Assam has retained some distinctive characteristics. 11th Century The peculiarities of the Assamese alphabet are shown in Table Dz; they are taken from Gauhātī and Guākuchi Grants of Indrapāla (A.D. 980-1010). The tail of the letters is sharply bent to the right and head-mark Jain Education International For Personal & Private Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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