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The Background (6th-8th Century A.D.)
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of i to right in Sāmangadh Plate. The initial e of Multās Plates is of peculiar variety.
Remarkable evolution in the consonants are seen. The tails are small in Multai Plates while other two inscriptions reveal a long tail in letters ka, kha, cha, da, dha, pa, ma, ya, ra, la, va, sha and ha. The head-mark of tha is yet to develop. Lower limb of da shows a process of leftward bending. Ņa of Table A12 is of open mouthed variety. Other two inscriptions show well developed form of cursive na. Ta is still of curved variety. Tha of Table A14 shows transitional phase. Na of Table A15 is of vertical variety while in other inscriptions it retains broader looped feature. Pha has an inner loop. Ba in Multāī plate is denoted by a distinct sign. Bha and sa have their mouths open. Ma has a loop at the left angle. The left curve of la is prolonged. Ha of Table A 14 shows a developed tail.
Ligatures are formed in the old pattern. Subscript prolongs its right vertical up to the head-mark. Subscribed chha of Table A14 shows a developing form of the letter. Superscript r is of developed variety. Both va of ligature vvi, in Daultābād Plate, are formed by placing one upon the other in the left portion of the vertical line.
The medial signs are of different types. Table A14 generally shows full perpendicular form of modern ā medial except in tā and nā where hooked or curved form is still present. A horizontal notch is optionally used for ā in Daultābād Plates. Both forms of medials u, ū and e are found.
According to Bühler, “The most ancient document, written throughout in Nāgarī, is the Sāmangarh grant of Rāshțrakūta king Dantidurga of A.D. 754.'4. However, in scrutinizing the palaeography of this inscription, it is found that tha has no head-mark; e and gha are without tails. Sometimes, head-mark does not cover the whole letter, such as in po. Medial signs are of different types, and in ligature first letter is still formed in full shape. If all these are left out, even then it may not be accepted as the earliest Nāgarī inscriptional record. Moreover Sukthankar42 has proved it
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