Indian Palaeography c15.s5.t1.4

c15.s5.t1.4

(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.