Prachin Lipimala

Author(s): Gaurishankar Harishchandra Ojha
Publisher: Gaurishankar Harishchandra Ojha

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The book is divided into two parts. The first contains the following articles in brief :
I. A dissertation on the art of writing being known to the IndoAryans of the ancient times.
II. Indigenous origin of the Pâlî alphabets. III. Origin and existence of the Gåndhâra alphabets in India. IV. History of the deciphering of ancient inscriptions.
V. Epochs of various Indian eras as found in inscriptions &c. , as the Saptarshi, Kaliyuga, Nirvana of Buddha, Maurya, Vikrama, Shaka, Chedi, Gupta-Vallabhi, Harsba, Gângeya, Nevâra, Lakshmana Sena, Châlukya Vikrama, Simha and Kolama eras.
VI. Ancient numerals,
The second part consists of a series of 52 illustrative plates accompanied by short descriptions. Of these plates the first 24 give alphabets of Northern and Western India; Nos. 25 anil 26, Gândhára alphabets; from 27 to 37, alphabets of Southern India. Every one of these 37 plates contains in addition to the alphabets some lines of the original inscription or copper plate grant, from which it has been prepared. The plates Nos. 38 and 39 show ancient Tâmila alphabets; the 40th certain numerals from various inscriptions &c., given both in words and figures; 41 to 43, various numerical symbols of the ancient times, and 44 to 50, alphabets of different vernacular languages of India. Plate 51 shows the regular developement of the present Deva Nagari characters, and the last contains such letter3 as are not met with in the first 39 plates.
I have tried my best to make the book useful to my fellow country men and shall think myself amply rewarded if my labours contribute to arouse interest in their minds in the cultivation of the knowledge of what concerns them most-the early history of their father-land.
Victoria Hall, Oodeypore,
August 7th, 1894.