Indian Palaeography c14.s9.1

c14.s9.1

The style of this region is traced on the basis of three inscriptions—two of Hāritīputra Śātakarṇi, from Banavasi and Maḷvalli, and one of Siri Puḷumāvi (a later king) from Myakdoni in the Bellary district. The inscriptions of Hāritīputra clearly show two different styles—the Banavasi inscription follows the later Śātavāhana style with its ornamental forms, the line head-mark, and the characteristically looped *ta*. But *dha* is still the bow type of the older style. *Da* is round-backed, with mouth opening to the right. The Maḷvalli inscription (Pl. IX. 10) also shows the line head-mark, but its curves have more prominent upward curls and it keeps the difference in the forms of *cha*, which is elongated, *ṇa*, the base of which is more curved and the upper stroke bifurcated, *mu*, which has its loop slightly to the left, *ya*, the left arm of which is shortened, and *va*, which has a half-rounded form. The sign for the medial *ā* has a downward slant added to the right of the horizontal. The Myakdoni inscription appears to be the latest in this region. The letters have the line head-mark, and the lower verticals are much elongated as in the Nagarjunikonda inscriptions. But the upper strokes do not show the same elongation, nor can we trace the same calligraphic effect as in the Ikshvāku inscriptions. Triangularity is seen in *ma* and *va*, but *kha* keeps the Deccani form without the triangular looped base. *Dha* has the older form of the bow type. *Ta* is not looped, but it has its lower two strokes joined at an angle with the upper stem. *Na* has its base curved. The looped variety is not very clear. *Ga* has a horseshoe form. The style of Myakdoni is a further development from that of Maḷvalli. It directly led on to the Kadamba style.