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Nāgarī in Manuscripts (11th-13th Century A.D.)
151
new innovation which occurs here is the shape of initial i which resembles the letter in modern Nāgari only with the difference of lower detached hook, while in the inscriptions of the period it is in old or transitional shape. Chha and ja furnish peculiar Jaina-Nāgarī shape. Dha develops an oblique stroke at its upper angle. Medial signs and ligatures are as usual in the inscriptions.
Table Mo is taken from the Karmastavațīkā palm-leaf manuscript (by Govinda Gani dated A.D. 1122). This represents a typical example of Jaina-Nāgari. Initial u and o show Jaina-Nāgarī features. In both the letters upper end of lower curve are in broader shape. As for o, it is formed by adding an upright stroke to the form of initial u. Among other initial vowels a represents the same feature as in the Sri Bhagavatīsūtra manuscript (Table Mz) of the preceding period. I shows transitional phase by adding two circles with an angular mark and turning lower curve to the right Among consonants left portion of cha is in triangular shape in the place of developed one. Chha and ja are found in their peculiar Jaina-Nāgarī shape. Dha preserves its upper oblique stroke. Other letters are in developed and usual Nāgarī shapes. Among ligatures, a peculiar variety of medial u is found in npu and pyu. Here the u medial sign has been attached in the middle of the vertical in place of the lower end. Such type of typical symbols are occasionally found only in Jaina-manuscripts. Other signs are as usual.
Thirteenth Century
Table M7 is derived from Jaina palm-leaf manuscript (c. 1275-1300, now preserved in the collection of the Jaina Trust, Jaisalmer). As for initial vowels, the advanced and modern looking forms of a, ā, i, i, u, ū and e are found in these folios in which top of i is flattened and curve of u is knobbed like peculiar Jaina-Nāgari. In the manuscripts lower leftward stroke in a is retained while in inscriptions generally it has disappeared. As for consonants, left notched shape of gha is still horizontally placed. Chha, ja, tha and bha diverge from the usual Nāgari and furnish peculiar
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