[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Archaeology, epigraphy and coins](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy) › [Indian Palaeography](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.dani-1963) › c13.17 # Indian Palaeography c13.17 Indian Palaeography c13.17 - **Language:** English ### [c13.17](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.dani-1963.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\*. - [Previous: c13.16](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.dani-1963.c13.16) - [Next: c13.18](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.dani-1963.c13.18) - [Up: c13](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.dani-1963.c13) ## Cites (1) - [Sāñcī](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.sanchi) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.dani-1963.c13.17](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.dani-1963.c13.17) · Pramāṇa