Indian Palaeography c14.s2.1

c14.s2.1

The first series of the inscriptions is included in the ‘Early Group’ (Pl. VIII. 1). In these cases the verticals show the tapering thickness, familiar to us from the inscriptions of the Mathura Śaka Kshatrapas. The medial vowels generally follow the old style, except that medial *i* does not show the tall flourish, but the *anusvāra* is marked by a short line. The development is seen in the form of the initial *a* (Fig. 10. 1*a*). Here prominence is given to the upper left curve while the lower one has an additional tick. The triangular bases of *kha*, *ma* and *va* receive greater attention. *Na* and *ṇa* have optionally bent bases. But *da* retains the older form. Only rarely is the new form with the mouth open to the right seen. *Bha* is of the broad type (Fig. 10. 11*b*) with a notch in the middle. Similarly *ya* has a wider base. *Ra* has its lower tip curved. The subscript *ya* maintains its tripartite form. On the whole the style of writing is pre-Kushāṇa but post-Mathura Kshatrapa. It seems that the end of the Kshatrapa rule of the House of Rañjuvula and Śoḍāsa was followed by disturbances, during which these inscriptions were produced.