________________
152
Development of Nāgarī Script
shape of Jaina-Nāgari. Ba is denoted by separate and modern looking sign. Other letters have also attained their modern Nāgari counterparts: Medials are as usual in that period. In ligatures, ksha, Chchha, and jña represent their peculiar Jaina-Nagari character.
Table Mg is taken from the palm-leaf manuscripts of Risabhadevacharitra (mss. dated A.D. 1232) and Mahāvīracharitra (by Hemachandra Sūri, mss. dated A.D. 1237). These manuscripts are preserved now in Sanghavīnā Bhandār Patan. The folios of these manuscripts are written with a broad edged pen, peculiar handling of which makes for a distinctive appearance of the alphabet. As far as development of individual letters is concerned except gha, cha and bha, all of them have attained their Nāgari counterparts in which chha, ja and tha are denoted by their pe Jaina-Nāgarī shapes. Optionally, the usual Nāgarī form of ja is also found in these folios. Among ligatures, jña is of modern looking variety. Medials ä, i, i, u, ū and ri resemble with modern Nāgarī signs. Others, e, ai, o and au are represented by modern top-stroke signs along with the perpendicular mark of that period.
General Remarks
It is clear from the illustrations that the developments in a alphabet first take place in manuscripts and engraved forms follow the trait. At the same time it is also evident that for writing the conventional or royal works, a standard form of an alphabet was employed while in daily writing newer forms were emerging, due to continuous use, personal mannerisms, and several other reasons, as in modern times.
Notes and References
1. Sivaramamurti, C., Indian Epigraphy., p., 20. 2. Dikshit, M.G., EI, XXXI, pp. 263-66 & Pl. 3. Palm-leaf and paper, Melbourne, 1944, p., 12. However, this statement refers only to
the manuscripts discovered in India so far. Nearchos mentioned to the manufacturing
Jain Education International
For Personal & Private Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
