Indian Palaeography c14.s2.5

c14.s2.5

Leaving aside these two inscriptions, we find minor variations in the others. Among the vowels the forms of *a* and *u* vary much. *A* shows developments in two distinct ways, as shown in Fig. 10. I. In both the varieties the upper left stroke becomes important, but while in (*a*) this upper stroke slants downwards to meet the vertical and the lower stroke maintains its curved form, in (*b*) the upper stroke makes an angle before meeting with the vertical and tries to assimilate the lower stroke, which sometimes appears below the line. Henceforth the variety (*a*) will be called the curved type and variety (*b*) the angular type. The letter *u* rarely slants its base upwards but more often bends its tip downwards. The bend is more marked in the medial *u*. The short *i* has three short lines in place of the dots, while the form of *e* is almost standardized with the apex of its triangle on the left. *O* has its middle vertical inclined. *Ka* has its middle horizontal variously curved, and in *Kha* the triangular base is now prominent. *Ga* has both angular and rounded forms, while *Gha* has its verticals straightened. *Cha* shows variations in the inverted beaked type, sometimes with graceful bends. *Chha* is of the double-looped variety, but the older oval variety is seen optionally. *Ja* maintains the form of the Roman capital letter ‘E’ with its vertical sometimes curved inwards, and rarely outwards, while the lowest arm occasionally bends its tip downwards. The older forms of *jha*, *ṭa*, *ṭha*, *tha* and *ba* continue. The stepped *ḍa* has its angles rounded. *Ḍha* has a more or less squat form. *Ṇa* appears in all the varieties except the open-mouthed one. *Ta* has its lower appendage rounded, but the Deccani *ta* (with its appendage to the right of the vertical) also appears. The round-backed *da* with mouth open to the right now replaces the older type. *Na* has its base variously bent. *Pa* occurs only in the angular variety, with the left arm some-