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The Background (6th-8th Century A.D.)
is a step further from the writing of Aulikaras (Mandasor) and Maukharis (Bihar & U.P.). In this epigraph (Plates 1-24, Table A) only three initial vowels, ā, u and e are noticed. The right vertical of the initial ā is slanted and forms an acute-angled shape. The downward curve of u is extended further; and e is of flat-topped variety with right-angle.
The letter ka is generally in the new form in which left curve developed into a triangular loop and right one into a downward tick. But the old curved form is retained in ku, kri and ligatures. The top of the kha is flat and left limb shows a triangular foot-mark. The right vertical line of ga has a bend in its middle. The letter ta is of flat-topped variety in letter ļi. Ņa is of open-mouthed variety with sloped base and extended outer curves. Right limb of ta is curved. In tha and dha, the left curve slopes in a fashion that upper portion became broader and the lower narrower. Da is represented by double curve, with its tip turned up. Na shows Kuțila feature in the right vertical. Ya is of the tripartite variety with left arm
herged in the loop. Bipartite variety of ya with a bend in the right vertical can be seen in the letter ye (Plate 16, Table A1). Letters bha, ra and sa show triangular foot-mark or loop. The base of the letters pa, pha, ma, ya, la, sha and sa is sloped and their bent right vertical makes an acuteangle.
Ligatures follow the earlier style in which the letter pronounced first is written in full form in the same line while the following letter is engraved just below the former. Following the tendency of simplification, in some instances, the first or optionally the second letter is shortened and becomes cursive. Forms of two armed superscribed i , cursive subscribed ña and reduced form of ya and ra are noteworthy. In rya, superscribed r directly joins with the bipartite form of ya. The right vertical of the subscript is extended upward to the head-mark. It can be seen in mpo, sya and ssa (Plate 24, Table A1). The ornamentation is noticed in the medial signs. In the fifth century, flourishes in the medial signs are clearly seen in the Bilasadl4 and Meharauli inscription. 15 The ornamentation attained maturity in the period of Aulikaras and Maukharis, which is evident from their inscriptions (cf. Fig. 2a, Tables E & F). In the present inscription (of
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