Indian Palaeography c14.s10.t2.5

c14.s10.t2.5

In the two Mathura inscriptions of Chandra Gupta II (Pl. XII. 1) further development from the earlier Kushāṇa style can be seen. I do not agree with D. R. Bhandarkar¹ that the style of these is hard to distinguish from that of the Kushāṇa records. In these inscriptions we have notched head-marks generally tending to become solid triangles. The letters *ga* and *śa* have developed flat tops, while their right arms, like those of *ta* and *bha*, are prolonged downwards. *Tha* has a line in place of the centre dot. *Dha* in some cases is of the oblong form. The angle of *o* is rounded. The medial vowels are all of the eastern type. The long *ā* is formed by adding a hook to the vertical of the initial *a*. Eastern influence is seen in the use of the open-mouthed *ṇa* and *ma* with a curve at the left corner, as is also seen in the Karamdanda and Bhitari inscriptions.² The last feature is known only from one example. No ornamental flourishes are seen in these inscriptions.