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The Jain Manuscript and Miniature Tradition
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The numbering of the folios
Each folio of the manuscript was numbered on the reverse. In early manuscripts (prior to the fourteenth century) foliation was done in both letter symbols and numbers, but from the fifteenth century numbering appeared only in numerals. The numbering of folios in letter symbols followed a fascinating system. With the exception of the numbers from one to nine there were letter symbols for the tens and hundreds. Double-digit numbers were written in vertical order, thus the top letter symbol stands for the highest denomination. It is difficult to trace the origin of this system of numbering, but the Jains had evolved letter symbols up to ten thousand. " This practice of foliation in letter symbol and numerals brought into being two extra roundels in the margins on the verso, which were used for this purpose. The practice of three roundels continued even after this system of foliation was abandoned in favour of numbers, which were now written on the right side of the margin underneath the roundel. Sometimes ornamentation was added around the number.
While reading a manuscript the folios are turned upwards (unlike the codex style in which the pages of a book are turned over sideways). This also explains why the foliation in a manuscript appears on the reverse side.
How the authors used to work
An author would either write himself or dictate his new work to his disciple or a scribe. Dictation was taken on a stone slate or traditional wooden writing board. The first editing of the work was done at this stage. When it had taken final shape the verse was written on palm-leaf or paper. However, even the so-called final copy would have several corrections and alterations. From this the final or fair copy of the original work was prepared. This was called the model copy (ādarśa prata; the manuscripts are also referred to as prati, derived from the Sanskrit pratikrti, meaning 'copy', which is shortened to prata). From this model copy more copies of the manuscripts were made and distributed for dissemination. Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only
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