Indian Palaeography c15.s5.t1: (a) The Inscriptions of Malwa and Rajasthan

Indian Palaeography c15.s5.t1

Language: English

(a) The Inscriptions of Malwa and Rajasthan

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(i) Pl. XIII. 1 is taken from the Udayagiri cave inscription, dated in the (Gupta) year 106 (A.D. 425). It is a private record. The letters, which show a distinctly triangular head-mark, are boldly engraved, and some of the medial vowels, such as *ā*, *e*, and *o*, show flourishes and produce an effect not dissimilar to the Meh-rauli pillar inscription and the Bilsad inscription of Kumāra Gupta I. But the medial vowels are derived both from the north and the south. The northern features are marked in the top slants for *ā*, *e*, *o*, and *ai*, in the curved hooks for the medials *u* and *ū*, and in the medial *ī* which is turned to the right with an initial prominence. But we also find the horizontal *ā*, and the medial *i* has the circle of the south as well as the left curve of the north. Southern influence can also be seen in the medial *ṛi*, as applied to *nṛi* and *kṛi*, in the form of a round curve to the left ending in a curl. The initial *ā* introduces the new type, the earliest of its kind. It is from this that the later forms of the sixth century A.D. are derived. It consists of two vertical limbs joined by a slanting bar, the right limb having a curved tip, a southern characteristic, and the left limb having a crooked appendage open to the left. This is the beginning of the curved *a*. To this form of *a* a slanting stroke on the right is added in the southern fashion to make a long *ā*. The only other initial vowel used is *u*, the base of which is gently curved upwards in the southern fashion. But the consonants all show northern features. The verticals in *ka* and *ra*, the upper limb of *la*, and the vertical stroke for the medial *u* in *mu* and *yu* do not show any tendency to curvature. The flat tops of *kha*, *ga*, *ṭa*, *dha*, and *śa* again relate them to the north. In the same northern fashion *kha* has its triangular appendage on the inner side of the right limb, the right verticals of *ga*, *ta*, *bha*, and *sa* are longer than the left, and the left verticals of *kha*, *ga*, and *sa* show foot-marks; *cha* is of the beaked type; *ṇa* is of the open-mouthed type; the two limbs of *ta* meet above either at an angle or in a curve; *tha* has a dot within a circle; *da* is round-backed; *dha* has its lower end narrowed; *na* has two varieties—one with a curved base and the other with a looped one but with the ioop filled up; *pa* shows slight curvature; *ba* is rectangular; *bha* is of the angular type; *ma* is of the tailed variety; *ya* is of the tripartite form but the left arm is changed into a loop; *ra* has a trace of the foot-mark; both *la* and *ha* have a firm base with two uprights and a hook; *va* is triangular; *śa* and *sha* have a mid-line; and *sa* has a hook attached to the left limb. In the conjuncts we should note the forms of *ṅghi* and *sthi*. In *ghna* and *stu* the second consonants *na* and *tu* have been constricted, and not the first, as is required by the rules of grammar.

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(ii) Pl. XIII. 2 is taken from the Bihar Kotra inscription of Naravarman, dated in the (Vikrama) year 474, and from the Gangadhar inscription of Viśvavarman, dated in the (Vikrama) year 480. Pl. XIII. 3 is derived from the Sanchi inscription, dated in the (Gupta) year 131, the Mandasor inscription of Govinda Gupta, dated in the (Vikrama) year 524, and the Mandasor inscription of Kumāra Gupta and Bandhuvarman, dated in the (Vikrama) years 493 and 529. These two groups show the last survivals of the southern characteristics in this region. However, they have the head-marks in the north Indian fashion. The medial vowels are given in the southern style; the only northern influence that can be traced is in the top curved slants for *ai* and *au*. The distinguishing southern medial vowels are the circle-stroke for *i* and *ī*, the left rounded stroke for *ṛi*, a cursive form of the medial *o* in *lo*, and a curved tip in the vertical stroke of the medial *u*. The initial *a* maintains the curved form of (i) above only in no. 2, but no. 3 shows the older form with a hook attached to the left limb. The other initial vowels are all in the southern style. *I* has a curved roof above two dots, but in no. 2 the roof is doubled. The term roof-type of *i* will be used henceforward. *U* is of the same form as in (i) above. *E* has an upper stem with the corners of the triangle rounded. In no. 2 the stem is very faintly visible. *Au* maintains the ‘z’-form but with the angles rounded and an additional slant going upwards. Of the consonants no. 2 has some forms borrowed from the north, while no. 3 exhibits exclusively southern forms. No foot-mark is seen at the left limbs of *kha*, *ga*, or *śa*. In fact both the limbs of *ga*, *ta* and *śa* are equal, except in no. 2, where *ga* has a longer right limb. *Gha* is of the southern type with its left vertical bent. *Ṅa*, as seen in the conjunct *ṅgo*, has two arms with a straight vertical. *Cha* is of the beaked type as in the north. *Ja* has three straight arms attached to a vertical, but in no. 3 the vertical is bent in the southern fashion. *Ña*, as seen in the conjuncts *ñcha* and *jña*, is of two types—in the latter example it is of the looped variety, and in the former the usual type. *Ṭa* is almost a half-square. *Ḍa* in no. 2 has a bent leg, but in no. 3 has a squarish back. Both *na* and *ṇa* are of the looped type. *Ta* in no. 2 has an angle at the meeting-point of the lower limbs, but in no. 3 a curve. *Tha* is oval with a curved line within. *Da* is rounded in no. 2 but squarish in no. 3. *Dha* narrows the lower end in no. 2, but in no. 3 the old Deccani form is seen, with an arc on the left attached to the two arms of a triangle. *Pa*, *pha*, *ba*, *sha*, and *ha* have notches at the left arms. *Bha* is of the broad type. *Ma* is also of the southern type with a loop at the bottom and two strokes above. *Ya* is of the tripartite form but has no loop at the left arm. *Ra* has a curved tip, and *la*, when used singly, curves the upper end of the vertical to the left. *Va* is of the triangular type. *Sa* has a hook at the left and *ha* has a firm base. The *jihvāmūlīya* does not have the dumb-bell form of the north, but resembles the form of the southern *ma*, while the *upadhmānīya* has a cross within an oblong form. Thus southern influence persists throughout these inscriptions. It must, however, be remembered that this southern influence is all traceable from Gujarat and Kathiawad. These inscriptions show no trace of the new tendencies that were appearing in the extreme south. Probably it will be better to call these features Central Indian, as their source lay in the inscriptions of the Śātavāhanas and the Western Kshatrapas.

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(iii) Pl. XIII. 4 is taken from the Eran pillar inscription of Budha Gupta, dated in the (Gupta) year 165, Pl. XIII. 5 is derived from the Eran inscription of Toramāṇa, and Pl. XIII. 6 from the Gwalior inscription of Mihirakula. These inscriptions did away with the southern features from this region for good, and initiated new styles allied to the northern characters. All the medial vowels now follow the northern system. Remarkable is the change in the medial *ṛi*, which now curves to the right, as in the north. The medial *i* optionally extends its curve to the bottom of the letters, and the medial *ī* curves to the right. The initial *a* preserves the local curved type as well as the Gupta form, with its left hook having a graceful bend. The long *ā* is now made by adding a curve to the foot of the right limb. The initial *i* is also of the northern type with two dots above and a tailed one below. The initial *u* also has the northern form with its base curved downwards to the left. The initial *e* has a flat top and a narrow lower end. The right limbs of *ga*, *ta*, *bha* and *śa* are longer than the left, while the left limbs of *kha*, *ga* and *śa* have foot-marks. *Gha* has a variation at its base. *Cha* is of the beaked type. *Ja* has its three arms straight. The tops of *ga*, *ṭa* and *śa* are now flat. *Ḍa* has a long leg as in the north, while *ḍha* is round-backed. *Ṇa* is of the open-mouthed type. In the Gwalior inscription the inner arms of *ṇa* optionally almost coalesce. In Budha Gupta's inscription *tha* maintains the southern form, but in the Toramāṇa inscription it has the oval with the mid-line, and in the Gwalior inscription it is of the bulged form. *Da* is of the double-curved type, *dha* of the bulged form, and *na* of the looped variety. The curve at the left sides of *pa*, *pha*, *ba*, *sha* and *ha* is no longer seen. *Bha* is of the angular type, *ma* is of the tailed variety, and *ya* has a left loop in the tripartite form. *Ra* has a foot-mark, and *la* curls its left hook downwards, while *ha* has a gradual curve in its base line. On the whole these inscriptions preserve their distinction from those of the Middle Ganges Valley.

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(iv) Pl. XIII. 7 is taken from the Mandasor inscriptions of Yaśodharman, one of them being dated in the Mālava (Vikrama) year 589 (A.D. 532). Further influences from the Middle Ganges Valley are noticeable in these inscriptions. These give an ornamental character to the medial vowels. But the forms of the letters still maintain the individuality of this region. These forms show a development of the style seen in (iii) above. The head-marks are solid triangles, while foot-marks are present at the lower ends of most of the verticals. The new taste in the formation of the medial vowels is very clear. We find in them the effect of the broad pen showing an interplay of thick and thin strokes. The top slants in the medials *e*, *o*, *ai* and *au* prolong the strokes with twists and bends. The top slant of the medial *ā* curves on the right. Side by side with the usual left curve of the medial *i* we have also a new variety, which has a long loop inclined to the left. The medial *ī* is curved to the right. The medial *u* is a downward curve or a vertical extended downwards. For the medial *ū* an additional curve is given either on the right or on the left of the vertical. The initial vowels preserve the local types. The initial *a* is of the curved type with the two arms of the curve projecting beyond the left vertical. The initial *i* maintains the three-dot form, with two dots above and one below. *U* curves its base downward to the left. *E* is triangular with a flat top. *Au* is also in the northern fashion with its base curved as in *u* and another curled stroke going up from the mid-angle to the right. Of the consonants the upper curve of *kha* is still short, but a very faint foot-mark is seen at the left limb; *gha* divides its base into a sloping right half and a curving left half. *Ja* maintains its three arms on the right but slightly curves the tip of the lowest arm. *Ṭa* has a broad dot at the head and *ḍa* has a long leg. *Ṇa* is of the open-mouthed type, and *tha* and *dha* show slight bulges. *Da* is of the double-curved variety, and *na* has its head on the left. *Pa*, *pha* and *bha* are still angular. *Ma* loses its tail but bends its left vertical. *Ya* is also of the tripartite form with a loop at the left arm. *Ra* has a triangular foot-mark. Both *la* and *ha* have firm bases with their hooks beautifully curled. *Va* is triangular, and *sa* preserves the local variety with the left hook. *Ṅa* is frequently employed in conjuncts in place of *anusvāra*, e.g. *ṅsu* in place of *ṁsu*. *Ña* in *jña* is of the cursive form. *Tha* in *sthi* is horizontal, and *ṭa* in the conjunct *shṭa* has its mouth turned downwards. On the whole the inscriptions of Yaśodharman keep up the regional variety.

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(v) Pl. XIII. 8 is taken from the Vasantagadh inscription of Varmalāta, dated in the (Vikrama) year 682, and Pl. XIII. 9 from the Nagda inscription of Aparājita, dated in the (Vikrama) year 718. These inscriptions show some further influences from the Middle Ganges Valley. These influences may have come even earlier, but no better inscriptions are available to illustrate them. Here we find fully developed ornamental medial vowels and *kuṭila* forms of the letters. The head-mark is a solid triangle. The local forms, at least in two letters, *a* and *sa*, are still seen. The medial vowels need not be described as they are of the same type as those of the Middle Ganges Valley at this time. Among the consonants we find the looped *ka*, the curved *ja* with its upper arm merged in the head-mark, the flat-topped *ṭa*, the bulged forms of *tha* and *dha*, the head-form of *na*, and *pa* and *pha* with their left corners rounded. Notable eastern influence can be marked in the form of *bha*, which has a triangular foot-mark at the left limb; *ma* which has a closed loop at the left; *ya* which is of the bipartite as well as of the tripartite form with the outward curl at the left vertical; *ra* with the triangular foot-mark; *la* with its left hook turning in a beautiful curl; the rounded type of *va*; *śa* with a rounded top, which in no. 8 has its mid-line aslant; and *ha* with its base double-curved and the hook extended downwards.

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*Ba* maintains its usual form here, but in the East only the form of *va* is used at this time.

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(vi) Pl. XIII. 10 is taken from the Kanaswa inscription of Śivagaṇa, dated in the (Vikrama) year 795, Pl. XIII. 11 from the Buchkala inscription of Nāgabhaṭa, dated in the (Vikrama) year 872, and Pl. XIII. 12 from the Barah plate of Bhojadeva, dated in the (Vikrama) year 893. These inscriptions show a development away from the ornamental tendencies seen in (v) above, towards simplification. Nos. 10 and 11, which are engraved on stone, still have a touch of flourish, but no. 12, which is a copper plate, shows only simplified forms. This simplification is noticed to a greater extent in the copper plates of the Rāshtrakūṭas of still earlier date, as we shall see below. This fact may suggest that the copper-plate engravers of this region favoured a simplified style. The truth of this is borne out by the copper plates of the Maitrakas of Valabhī and the Chālukyas. The letters have a triangular head-mark in the stone inscriptions, but only a line mark in the copper plate. The *kuṭila* forms are preferred in the stone inscriptions but the copper plate has straight verticals and flat tops. The development of tails in letters such as *ka*, *ja*, *da*, *pa*, *ma*, *ya*, *ra*, *la*, *va*, *sha*, *sa* and *ha* is seen in both the styles. The forms in the stone inscriptions generally agree with those seen in the Middle Ganges Valley, and these need not be described again. But the copper plates show some new features. The medial *ā* has a long vertical on the right. The medial *i* and *ī* extend their curves downwards. The medial *u* has only a curved stroke, and the vertical form seen earlier in some cases is no longer used here. The medial *ū* also is a slanting stroke with a head to the left. But in the case of the medial *e*, *ai*, *o* and *au* the older style of the left horizontal stroke still continues optionally. In the initial *a* the two strokes attached to the left end are clearly seen and its right limb slants downwards to the left. The initial *i* has its tail curved to the left, while *u* does not have the head-mark. Remarkable developments in the consonants can be seen in the following: the top arm of *ja* is totally lost, and its second arm falls down from the head-mark while the third extends its curve to the left; *ṭa* has the head-mark; *ta* has an angular hook attached to the right limb; the bulged form of *tha* has an outer loop; *bha* and *sa* are of the open-mouthed forms. In the conjuncts the cursive form of *ña* and the constricted forms of other letters are notable.

Linked texts (1)

Sānchi inscription (No. 274) — Prakrit