Indian Palaeography c15.s5.t2.6

c15.s5.t2.6

(ii) Pl. XIV. 8 is taken from the copper plates of Hastin and Jayanātha, dated between the (Gupta) years 163 and 177, Pl. XIV. 9 is derived from the copper plates of Sarvanātha and Saṅkshobha, dated between the (Gupta) years 193 and 214, and Pl. XIV. 10 from the Arang plates of Bhīmasena II, dated in the (Gupta) year 282. These plates illustrate the change from the Gupta to the Malwa or Rajasthani style of writing. These inscriptions preserve the simplified style of the medial vowels and do not show the forms associated with the *kuṭila* writing, though the Middle Ganges Valley forms survive in the open-mouthed *ṇa*, the looped *na*, and the tailed *ma*, and bent right verticals are occasionally seen in *e*, *ga*, *pa* and *ma*. The acute-angled forms are not known here at all. The initial *a* develops the curved type but also optionally preserves the Gupta form in nos. 8 and 9. The initial *i* exists in the three-dot variety as well as the roof type in no. 8. The long *ī* is of the Gupta type with a dot on either side of a vertical. *U* curves its base downwards to the left, and *e* sometimes has a flat top or bottom. *O* is of the northern type with its base curved downwards. The left limbs of *kha*, *ga* and *śa* show the line foot-mark. *Gha* has a straight base in no. 8, but divides it in no. 9. *Cha* has the pointed beak as well as the broad type. The lowest arm of *ja* is slightly bent. *Jha* keeps up the angular form. *Ña* in the conjunct *jña* optionally is of the cursive form. *Ṭa* has a flat top, and *ḍa*, *ḍha*, and *da* have rounded backs. *Ta* is angular in some cases, and in others preserves the Deccani type¹ with a curved hook attached to the right of a sloping vertical. *Tha* is oval with a mid-line, but *dha* in no. 10 is of the bulged form. *Pa* rounds its left angle in nos. 8 and 9, but in no. 10 has a slight notch on the base line. *Ba* has a square form, and *ya* is tripartite with a loop added optionally at the left vertical. Both *la* and *ha* have firm bases with two uprights and a hook, but optionally their bases are rounded. *Va* is triangular with the base sloping. *Sa* has a hook attached to the left. The conjunct *lpa* has a common vertical for *la* and *pa*, and *ṭa* in *shṭa* has its mouth turned downwards.