Indian Palaeography c13.s4.4

c13.s4.4

On the other hand, when we compare Nanaghat I with Nanaghat II, the similarity of the letters is so close that it is difficult to distinguish them. But if we take the six short inscriptions of Nanaghat II together, as we are compelled to do by the contents and the circumstances, we find some altogether new forms. The letters *cha*, *ña*, *ta*, *ya*, and the angular forms of *va* and *ha* could not have been produced without knowledge of the tradition of the Kshatrapa writing of Mathura. Though they do not show evidence of the use of the new pen, they must nevertheless be taken as imitative forms. Thus Nanaghat II is a mixed complex of groups I and II. In the inscriptions of group II the influence of the new style is quite obvious. It seems that the inscriptions of Bhaja II were written with the new pen. But in Ajanta we again notice a difference between nos. 1 and 2. However, there is no reason to divide them chronologically. Far different is the brush technique followed in painting no. 6, which also must be placed in the same period. These features strongly suggest that the inscriptions of group II should be dated to the first half of the first century A.D. What should be the date of group I? Here the main obstacle is the evidence from Nanaghat II, but this very evidence is also suggestive. Here we have what in archaeological terminology should be called an overlap of the older forms with the newer ones.