Indian Palaeography c13.s5.t1.7

c13.s5.t1.7

The early inscriptions from Amaravati, as published by R. P. Chanda,¹ confirm my dating of those of Bhattiprolu. Here we find writing more closely related to the group II inscriptions from Western Deccan. In Amaravati the form of *bha* is varied. Besides the straight vertical form, we find examples which retain the slanting vertical. *Ma* has its lower circle changed into a triangle. No definite rule is observed in the length of the verticals. Angularity is noticeable in forms such as *sa*, *pa* and *ha*. *Va* has a long loop recalling the triangular form. *Ra* has a straight vertical, and *cha* has its lower circle changed into a quadrangle. The form of *ka* has its vertical longer above the horizontal than below it. Hence these Amaravati inscriptions can be safely placed in the earlier half of the first century A.D. They are succeeded directly by inscriptions containing forms which are traceable from the Kushāṇa inscriptions. It must, however, be pointed out that there is a marked difference between the forms of letters in North-west Deccan at this time and those of Amaravati, for the latter seem some fifty years older than the former. This discrepancy is due to the time-lag in the adoption of new styles. The same difference is noticeable in comparing inscriptions of West Deccan with those of Orissa. As I have explained before, these facts have to be accepted.