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Introduction
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The letter pha is represented by adding an inner curl to the hook of pa in Mauryan Brāhmi. In Gupta period, the curl of the hook develops into a loop touching the base in the middle. In post-Gupta inscriptions, loop of the letter is compact and the base is sloppy.
The letter ba has a square or rectangular shape from Aśoka till Maukharis with slight variations.
The shape of the Mauryan bha is formed by adding an additional parallel stroke to the right from the lower stroke of the letter da. Tables B and C show two main varieties — in the first form right portion developed into a vertical line and left into curved shape with or without notch; while in the second, lower portion becomes broader. In Gupta period, both limbs of the letter hang from the top-mark in angular shape. The post-Gupta inscriptions reveal quick evolution in the letter form which may be seen in Fig. 3.
A semi-circle placed upon a circle is the form of the letter ma in the Mauryan Brāhmi. In pre-Kushāna period circle developed into a broad triangle. Kushāņa inscriptions represent a transitional phase from the viewpoint of the development (Fig. 3) in which, finally, it takes a shape, termed as tailed variety. The left projecting part is thickened and base is slanted in the Maukhari's inscriptions.
Semi-Vowels
The Mauryan ya has two basic forms: first formed by drawing a vertical line in the middle of a crescent, the second made by a double curve in the place of a single crescent. The crescentic base developed into a flat shape and the central stroke reduced with thickened top in pre-Kushāna Brāhmi. The Kushāna specimens are also of flat-bottom type; but its left limb shows gradual evolution which may be noticed in Fig. 3. The left half of the letter is curved and right one is slanted in post-Gupta writing.
The Mauryan ra is a wavy vertical line. In Kshatrapa and Kushāņa Brāhmi, it developed into a form which has a thickened top vertical line with its lower tip turned to the left, or occasionally to the right. The top
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