Indian Palaeography c13.s4.3

c13.s4.3

As the Nanaghat I is the longest inscription, I shall put its analysis first. In general no definite rule has been observed for the length of the verticals. In some places they are equalized, and in others they vary in length. The use of the new tool is nowhere traceable, but some of the forms are very suspicious as they recall those of the new tradition. Angular forms of *pa*, *pha*, *ma*, *va*, *sa*, and *ha* are seen here and there. *Dha* is of the later regular type. *Bha* shows a straight vertical, and a new type in which the upper vertical is placed on the right side of the lower appendage. This will be hereafter called Deccani *bha*. *La* is drawn cursively in almost all the inscriptions of this time in the Deccan. One type of *ma* is a direct descendant of that occurring in the Girnar R.E. of Aśoka, and in the same fashion the medial *ā*, *e* and *o* are attached to th middle of this letter, though optionally we also find them at the top right or left. In other cases the medial *o* is one horizontal line, while medial *u* in *pu*, *yu* and *su* is a prolongation downwards of the right vertical. The vertical of *ka* is lengthened; *kha* has three forms, with or without dot and with a circle; *ga* has both angular and rounded forms; *cha* is of three varieties, the semi-circular, the triangular, and the quadrangular; *chha* has an oval in place of the circle; *ta* has, besides the rounded appendage, a straight or curved stroke attached to the right of a long vertical. This second variety is the usual form in the Deccan and the south. *Da* has a rounded form. The letters in the Nasik inscriptions entirely agree with these. But Bhaja I is very crudely written. Its rounded *ḍa* and triangular *va* suggest a later date. The newly discovered Bhaja inscription should not be dated to the second century B.C., as is done by Dr. B. Ch. Chhabra. The angularity of the letters is a marked feature, and the letters *bha* and *ma* especially point to a later date.