Indian Palaeography c15.s1.42

c15.s1.42

case of *a* and *la*, or into double parallel lines, as in the case of *ka* and *ra*. The medial vowels in the south follow also a different course of development (Fig. 16). Fundamental differences from the north are seen in the case of *au* and *ṛi*. The medial vowel *o* in *lo* is cursive. The right limb of *ā* is prolonged downwards as is *e* on the left side of the letters. The most important development is seen in the application of the medial vowels *e* and *ai*. Unlike the North Indian fashion, where they are applied above the letter, in South India the signs hang downwards, in some cases starting from the middle of the letter. This tendency comes down from the practice seen in the letters *mā* and *me* in the Girnar version of the Aśokan R.E.¹ The medial *i* grows into a full circle, but optionally in the extreme south it retains the form of a broad half circle. The medial *ī* has an additional line, curl, or circle to distinguish it from the medial *i*. The curl of the medial *u* grows until in the seventh century A.D. it is doubled. For medial *ū* an additional mark is given either on the right or on the left of the sign for the medial *u*. Another rounded form, as seen in *bhu* or *bhū*, also develops in the south.