Indian Palaeography c14.s2.7

c14.s2.7

times curved. *Bha* exhibits two distinct lines of development, as shown in Fig. 10. II. In type (*a*) the middle bar slants upwards and the right arm is elongated, both making an angle at the apex. This will be hereafter called the angular *bha*. In type (*b*) the middle bar is elongated and finally notched, with two curved arms at either end. This will be called notched *bha*. *Ma* has its triangular base emphasized by lengthening its lower side. The base of *ya* is flattened and takes various forms, as shown in Fig. 10. III. This base bends gracefully to give differential effect to the three uprights, which receive special attention. The left arm develops its line head-mark into a curl and finally into a loop, and the middle arm inclines to the left, while the right presses downwards to balance the loop in the left. *Ra* has either a straight vertical or a bend at its lower tip. The long vertical of *la* is normally straight or gently curved outwards; only rarely it bends inwards. *Ḷa* continues the older form—the sign of *ṭa* with an additional hook below. *Va* generally has a triangular form, but occasionally a rounded form is also seen. In both cases the upper stem has vanished. *Śa* has mostly the rounded form, with its right arm optionally longer. The inner stroke makes three varieties: in some it is inclined, in others it is horizontal, either halfway or full length. The three arms of *sha* are generally straight, but occasionally curved. Its inner stroke again is of three varieties as in the case of *śa*. The form of *sa* has definite angles, with the left hook usually drawn in one sweep with the left arm. *Ha* has either straight or curved arms, but greater variation is seen in the additional tick. The conjuncts are formed in the usual fashion, but the most distinctive conjunct of the Mathura style is the hooked variety of the subscript *ya*. The tripartite form (i.e. with three uprights on a horizontal base) as a second element in a compound is rarely seen at Mathura.