Indian Palaeography c15.s6.3

c15.s6.3

Henceforward I shall call it the curve *o* in *lo*. The medial *ṛi* is a curved stroke turned upwards on the left. The medial *ū* has an additional horizontal stroke given to the vertical of *u*. The southern tendency is traceable in the curved tips of *a*, *ka* and *ra* as well as in the vertical type of the medial *u* and the right arm of *la*. The local types are seen in the initial vowels and also in the consonants. The initial *a* has a hook at the bottom of the left limb, and for the long *ā* a slanting curve is added to its right vertical. *I* is of the three-dot form, with two dots on the left and one on the right. *Ū* has its base turned upwards with an additional horizontal stroke within. *E* is triangular with a stem projecting upwards from the right arm. *Ga*, *ta* and *śa* have equal arms meeting upwards in a rounded curve. *Kha* has a short upper hook and a quadrangular loop below. The body of *cha* is almost quadrangular, having a stem on the right. It resembles a foot, and henceforward I will call it the foot type of *cha*. *Ja* retains the form of two curves one above the other. *Ña* as seen in the conjunct *jña* has its full form. *Ḍa* and *da* are round backed. Both *na* and *ṇa* are of the looped type. *Tha* is either oval or quadrangular with a short line within. *Dha* has a broad arc added to the vertical on the right. *Pa*, *pha*, *ba*, *sha* and *ha* have their left arms bent. *Bha* is of the broad type with a notch in the middle. *Ma* has a loop below and two prongs above. *Ya* is of the tripartite form but has no loop at the left arm. *La* has a firm base with its arm curling up towards the left. This type will be henceforward called the curved *la*. *Va* is triangular. *Śa* has its mid-line optionally short. *Sa* has the hook on the left. *Ya* in the conjunct *bhyaṁ* still maintains the tripartite form.