Indian Palaeography c14.s5: The Backward Area of Madhya Pradesh
Indian Palaeography c14.s5
- Language
- English
The Backward Area of Madhya Pradesh
c14.s5.1
The earliest group of inscriptions (Pl. VIII. 12) found in this region comes from Bandhogadh in the former Rewa State, engraved on the walls of artificial caves. The inscriptions are dated from years 51-90 of an unspecified era, and they speak of three generations of kings. Their palaeography reveals a mixed style ranging from crude engraving, for example in inscription no. XI,¹ to well-formed letters such as those of inscription no. IX. The head-formation is also irregular. Some inscriptions have the line head-mark, some the semblance of the tapering style, and in a few the development of the solid triangular head is seen. This mixed tendency is also apparent in the treatment of the medial vowels. Generally the eastern style is preferred, but the Mathura style is also known in medial vowels such as *e* and *o* while the Nanaghat style is found in the case of *mā*, *me* and *mo*. In the formation of the letters a similar mixture is noticed. *A* preserves the old form, with the left strokes making two curves or a short straight line, and joined to the right vertical by a small bar. The angle of *u* is rounded, as is the triangle of *kha* in some cases. *Ga* has both angular and rounded forms. The left arm of *gha* is optionally curved. *Cha* broadens its loop and does not exist in the beaked variety, and *chha* optionally copies the Deccani variety, which has its stem over the left loop. Similarly, the looped variety of the Deccani *ta* is also optionally used here. *Da* retains the older cursive form along with the Kushāṇa type of the round-backed *da*. *Dha* is of two varieties—the bow type and the triangular form. The base of *na* is bent. *Pa*, *pha* and *ba* sometimes have their left arms notched. *Bha* is usually of the angular variety. *Ya* optionally has the loop at the left arm. *Ra* sometimes has its lower tip bent. *La* has three varieties: the cursive type of the hooked *la*, that with a straight vertical, and another with its vertical curved inwards. Similarly, *ha* has the hooked variety as well as the ordinary form. The subscript *ya* maintains its tripartite form. The evidence suggests that, though Bandhogadh is not far from Kauśāmbī, its main contacts were with the Deccan on the one hand, and Mathura or Sanchi on the other. The dates of the inscriptions should be assigned to the Kanishka era.
c14.s5.2
¹ The numbers refer to Dr. Chakravarti's publication in *Epigraphia Indica*, xxxi.
c14.s5.3
Another poorly engraved inscription comes from Gunji (Pl. IX. 8) in the former Śakti State in Chhatisgarh, and is dated in the 5th year of a local ruler called Kumāravaradatta. There is no definite style in the writing, and the writer mixes different forms. He shows acquaintance with the line head-mark, but does not give it regularly. He does not even follow the rule of the equalization of the vertical. Forms such as *ka*, *ta*, *pa*, *bha*, *ma*, *ya*, *ra*, *la*, *sa* and *ha* recall those which were current in the last period. But there are other forms, such as the triangular *dha* with one arm curved, the triangular form of *va*, the optional use of the triangular base for *ma*, the triangular *kha*, and the double-looped *chha* (optional), that point to a connexion with Deccani forms of towards the end of the second century A.D. Only the cursive *da* shows some resemblance to this form in the inscriptions of Ushavadāta in Western Deccan; otherwise there seems to be no point in comparing this inscription with those of the time of Nahapāna. The inscription may be placed in the beginning of the third century A.D.
c14.s5.4
An inscription on a wooden pillar is found at Kirari near Chandarpur in Chhatisgarh. Here the letters are more developed. They are characterized by the solid triangular head-mark, and the medial vowels follow the Deccani style and show ornamental curves in the case of *i*. *Chha* is double-looped, and *ṇa* and *na* have curved bases. The verticals of *ka* and *a* are gently curved. *Kha* and *va* have triangular bases. *Ya* is of the tripartite form. The inscription may be dated to the middle of the third century A.D.
c14.s5.5
*Eastern Malwa*
c14.s5.6
In the last chapter it has been shown that Eastern Malwa came under the influence of the Mathura Kshatrapa style of writing. The last main stage of construction at Sanchi took place during this period. Subsequently it came under Kushāṇa domination,¹ during the rule of Kanishka and Vasishka. Their inscriptions have been dealt with earlier. After this period Eastern Malwa became a bone of contention between the Western Kshatrapas and the Śātavāhanas, with probably occasional independence. During this period a distinctive style of writing developed in this region, as evidenced by several *yūpa* inscriptions (Pl. IX. 6) dated between 282 and 335 of the Kṛita era (A.D. 225–78) and a Śaka inscription from Kanakhera, not far from Sanchi, also of this century. All these inscriptions show some influence from the Deccan, especially in the case of the last. The first definite break from the Kushāṇa style of writing, known from a few inscriptions at Sanchi, is seen in the marking of the medial vowels. The slanting strokes of *ā*, *e* and *o* do not occur, but all these strokes are horizontal. This change is due to southern influence, as is suggested by the medial vowel *o* applied to *ma* in its middle—a tradition which originated from the Girnar version of the Aśokan edicts and is maintained in the Nanaghat inscriptions and later Sātavāhana records. The Śaka inscription further introduces the round-backed *ḍa* (as seen in the conjunct *ṇḍa*), the looped *na*, and the looped *ṇa*, all from the Deccan. But there are other features peculiar to this region. The head-formation of the verticals is noteworthy. It is a thick line, verging on block formation, sometimes appearing as triangular. The other important feature is the development of ornamental flourishes, a feature which also marks the Deccan records of the later half of the second century A.D. The forms which connect this style with other North Indian inscriptions are the prominence given to the triangular base in *kha*, the beaked type of *cha*, the curved appendage of *ta*, the looped *ya*, *śa* with its right arm elongated, and the hooked variety of the subscript *ya*. Thus Eastern Malwa at this time was the meeting ground of the Deccani and the North Indian styles of writing.
c14.s5.7
¹ See above, p. 88.