Indian Palaeography from about B.C. 350 to about A.D. 1300 c7.s14.t2.4

c7.s14.t2.4

As regards the details, the following innovations deserve special mention:¹ — (1) Side by side with more ancient signs, the *A* of col. IV. shows a form leading up to the modern *A* of the Nāgarī of Western India; compare also pl. IV, 1, IX, XI ff. (2) The bar denoting the length of *Ā* is attached low down (2, III, IV); compare pl. IV, 2, VII ff. (3) Three strokes, one of which is set up vertically, take the place of the three dots of *I* (3, III). (4) The horizontal stroke of *U* occasionally shows a curve at the left end (4, IV). (5) The base of the triangular *E* (5, IV, V) is mostly at the top; compare pl. IV, 5, X ff. (6) The *kha* (8, III—V) is mostly triangular below, and its book is often small. (7) One of the two originally horizontal strokes of *ṇa* is always turned into a curve notched in the middle, and sometimes both are changed in this manner, as in 20, III, IV; occasionally the vertical is split up into two lines, which are attached to the ends of the left horizontal line, each bearing a portion of the curved top-bar (20, V). (8) The *ta* shows sometimes, but rarely, a loop, as in *sti* (43, IV). (9) The lower end of *da* (23, III—V) is drawn further to the right, and the bulge on the right becomes larger. (10) The *dha* (24, III, IV) becomes narrower and pointed at the ends. (11) The horizontal stroke of *na* is curved (25, III) or looped (25, IV), whereby the still more modern looking form in 25, V, is developed. (12) The *ya* (31, III—V) mostly has a hook or circle on the left limb, and in ligatures is either looped as in *ryya* (42, III), or bipartite as in *ryya* (41, V). (13) The *va* is occasionally rounded on the left (34, V). or becomes similar to *ca*, as in *rvva* (42, IV). (14) The *śa* (35, III—V) becomes narrower, and its middle stroke lies horizontally across the interior; sometimes the left down-stroke bears a *Serif* at the end, or the right one is made longer, just as in *ga* (9, V); compare pl. IV, 36, I ff. (15) The central bar of *ṣa* (36, III—V) goes straight across the interior of the letter. (16) The left limb of *sa* is occasionally, but rarely, turned into a loop (37, IV); compare plate IV, 38, I ff.