Indian Palaeography c13.17

c13.17

The most important change took place in the formation of the conjuncts, especially in correcting the combinations formed with the consonant *ra*. In Aśokan Brāhmī there was no difference, whether *ra* was the initial or the second letter in the compound. In both the cases it was shown by giving a serpentine vertical to the straight verticals of the compounded letters. In these inscriptions the initial *ra* is always shown by a small vertical added to the top of the other letter (Fig. 6. VI), while *ra*, when following, is added below the other consonant (Fig. 6. VII). All other compounds are formed as required by Sanskrit grammar. In the Ramgarh inscription the sign [Figure:] has been read as *spha*, but such a combination, if correctly read, is unique. Elsewhere the second consonant is never added to the secondary loop of *sa* as in this case. The reading is doubtful. At Sanchi (inscription no. 3, Stūpa I) the sign [Figure:] has been read as *hnu* in order to form the word *hnusā*, derivable from *snushā* (daughter-in-law). But inscriptions nos. 284 and 286 prove that the reading should be *nhu*. It is possible that *hnusā* was locally pronounced as *nhusā*.