Elements of South-Indian Palæography, from the Fourth to the Seventeenth Century A.D. c6.s1: § 1. The Modification of the 'Cave' Numeral Figures Found in the Veṅgi and Cēra Inscriptions
Elements of South-Indian Palæography, from the Fourth to the Seventeenth Century A.D. c6.s1
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§ 1. The Modification of the 'Cave' Numeral Figures Found in the Veṅgi and Cēra Inscriptions
c6.s1.1
The Cave Numerals, given in Plate xxiii., are taken from those which occur in the inscriptions of the Western Caves as far as the second line is concerned; the upper are from the Mathura inscriptions[^2). The two inscriptions of the Veṅgi dynasty (as I have termed it already) which preceded the Cālukyas, and therefore must be earlier than the seventh century A. D., have the plates numbered. In one, numerals occur up to *three*, and in the other (which is given in Plate xxiv.) up to *four*; these are collected in Plate xxiii. The Pallava inscriptions (which are a little later) supply the figures for *five* and *six*.
c6.s1.2
The horizontal strokes of the Cave numerals are here semi-circular, and the figure for *four* is also of a more cursive form; the figures for *five* and *six* are also modified.
c6.s1.3
Much the same numeral figures appear to have been in use in the Cera kingdom at the end of the fifth century A. D. In the Mercara Plates (ii. line 9) ∞ “sahasranāḍu” occurs[^3). This is left unexplained by those who have attempted this inscription, but the figure is evidently a slight variation of the Cave numeral 10, and the words thus should be read “daçasahasranāḍu”; the ‘ten-thousand’ being a division of the country, and probably referring to the tribute paid by it.
c6.s1.4
I have not met with any other examples of this system of numerals in Southern India.
c6.s1.5
[^1): In considering this question it will be well to recollect what Comte says: “The fortunate custom of hieroglyphic writing....... led to the permanent adoption of hieroglyphics in the case of numbers.” He also remarks that the decimal notation (with value by position) could not have come from alphabetic writing. (“Pos. Polity” English tr. iii., 182.) Now in India there is no trace of indigenous hieroglyphs. [^2): *Bombay Journal*, viii., pp. 225-232; and *Journal of the R. A. S.* New Series, V. pp. 182 ffg. [^3): A good facsimile of these very important plates is given in the first volume of the *Indian Antiquary*. The explanation, however, needs much amendment.