Indian Palaeography c13.s2.t1.10

c13.s2.t1.10

When we compare the Heliodorus inscription with three others (Pl. V) of this region—the Barli stone inscription from the Ajmer district, the Ghosundi inscription from the Chittorgadh district, and the Bhilsa inscription of King Bhāgavata—we notice a great difference. Not only do we find regularization of some new and old forms, but also a tendency to create the letters in a new style. Of these the Barli inscription is the crudest example, with exaggerated verticals, except a few as in *li*, while the two others show better penmanship with the lines drawn equally thick throughout, the Bhilsa one showing equalization of the verticals in letters like *pa* and *sa*. Of the common features mention must be made of *bha*, which has a straight vertical, *ka* with a lengthened vertical, and *ma*, the lower circle of which greatly varies: in Barli it is a loop appended to the upper strokes which join together in a curve; in Ghosundi it is triangular, and in Bhilsa oval. The circle of *va* in Ghosundi and Bhilsa has become almost triangular. In Ghosundi alone *ra* maintains a degenerate form of ‘cork-screw’ type known from the Heliodorus inscription. The application of the medial vowels is also instructive. The medial *u* in Ghosundi follows the old practice, though it has come nearer to the right vertical, while in Bhilsa it is marked by prolonging the right vertical of *pa* downwards. On the other hand, the medial vowel *i* is given in the old fashion. Only in Barli it optionally has the tall flourish. These features show that they are much later than the inscription of Heliodorus. They cannot be placed earlier than the second half of the first century B.C. In order of sequence we should have first Ghosundi, then Bhilsa, and finally Barli.