Indian Palaeography c15.s4.20

c15.s4.20

(*d*) Pl. XII. 7 is taken from the Tusam rock inscription. The letters are poorly engraved on the rock. No attempt is made to copy the ornamental forms. It illustrates a simplified style, but definitely shows the new tendency of the post-Gupta period. It may be dated in the first half of the sixth century A.D. The head-mark is generally a solid triangle. The only initial vowel found here is *a*, which is of the curved form. Another new form is seen in one variety of *ya*, in which the left vertical is merged with the loop, which is drawn along with the middle vertical—the form thus produced approaching the bipartite type. *Ra* also shows a new tendency by having an upward slant at the foot. Other letters recall the Kushāṇa style. The most important are *kha* with its prominent triangular base and the curved base type of *na*. Influence from Kauśāmbī is seen only in the adoption of the open-mouthed *ṇa*. *Bha* keeps up the angular form. The open-mouthed *ma* has a curve at the left angle. *Sa* is of the hooked type. We also find here *ḷa*, whose double curves are equalized. We do not find any cursive forms in the conjuncts. The medial vowels follow both the Kushāṇa and the eastern systems.