Indian Palaeography c14.s5.1

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.