Indian Palaeography c15.s6.t1: (c) Inscriptions of the Gurjaras
Indian Palaeography c15.s6.t1
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(c) Inscriptions of the Gurjaras
c15.s6.t1.1
Pl. XVI. 9 is taken from the Sankheda plates of Dadda, dated in the (Kalachuri) year 346 (a.d. 595) and the Abhona plates of Śaṅkaragaṇa, dated in the (Kalachuri) year 347 (a.d. 596). Pl. XVI. 10 is derived from the Vadner and Sarsani plates of Buddharāja, dated respectively in (Kalachuri) years 360 and 361, and from another set of Sankheda plates of Dadda, dated in the (Kalachuri) year 391 (a.d. 640). There are other inscriptions of the Gurjaras which have square head-marks. These will be discussed in the next section. The two groups given here illustrate how far the southern influence was affecting this region. In the medial vowels the only noticeable change is in the medial *ī*, in which the circle type has a small circle within it, as in *nī*. But side by side we also find the northern form with its curve turned to the right, as in *vī*. Another northern form is seen in the medial *au* as applied to *pau*. The medial *ā* in *ṇā* is turned upwards as in the north. But in no. 10 the medial *ā* is generally a long vertical on the right of the letter—a feature probably derived from the south and passed on to the north. Among the consonants we find at least one northern type—the open-mouthed *ṇa* of the Kauśāmbī style is used here optionally. We can also note the optional use of the angular *bha* of the north, The southern types are observable in the following—one of the initial *ās* in no. 9 extends the lower curve of the right vertical upwards as in the Chālukyan writing;¹ the initial *e* has a stem and optionally opens its mouth; the looped base of *kha* opens its mouth in no. 10; *cha* in no. 10 is a further development of the foot type; *ba* in no. 10 has its left arm deeply curved inwards; in no. 9 *la* optionally extends its curve downwards. But against these outside influences we notice in these letters a tendency to reduce the curves at the tips of the verticals. The initial *u* maintains the local form as in (*a*) above, and the initial *o* has the ‘z’-form. No change is seen in the forms of *ga*, *ja*, *ṭa*, *ḍa*, *ta*, *da*, *dha*, *pa*, *pha*, *ma*, *ya*, *va*, *śa*, *sha* and *ha*. All these letters maintain the local forms. Similarly looped *ṇa* and *na* are also seen here. In *tha* the inner circle is sometimes replaced by a tick. The distinction between nos. 9 and 10 is well-marked by the development in the medial vowels and the adoption of new forms.
c15.s6.t1.2
¹ See below, p. 184.