Indian Palaeography c15.s6.t2.3

c15.s6.t2.3

(ii) Pl. XIV. 4 is taken from the Nogawa plates of Dhruvasena II, dated in the (Gupta) year 320 (A.D. 639), and Pl. XIV. 5 is derived from the Bhavanagar plates of Śīlāditya IV, dated in the (Gupta) year 372 (A.D. 691). The predominant feature of these inscriptions is the reduction of the curvature at the lower ends of the verticals. In fact this curvature has almost disappeared in no. 5. This inscription also shows the cursive forms of *ṇa*, *ta*, *tha*, *ya* and *la*. The change in the medial vowels is very remarkable. The circle type of the medial *ī* is replaced by the right curved stroke, and the medial *i* has optionally a left curve along with the circle-type. The medial *ā* in no. 5 is generally a long vertical placed on the right of the letters. The top slants in the medials *e*, *ai*, *o*, and *au* are prominent. The medial *ṛi* shortens its curvature. Of the initial vowels *a* has the hook on the left, *i* has a double curve for its roof, *u* has an upturned base, and *e* is of the foot-type with its mouth wide open. *Ka* has the short mid-bar, *kha* has a small hook placed over a broad looped base, and *ga* shows the head-mark. In no. 5 *ga* is of the angular type, and *gha* is simplified into a form with three straight verticals on a base. *Cha* has an almost pointed beak, and *chha* in no. 5 is a cursive form. *Ja* has two curves, the upper one being smaller than the lower. The additional hook in *ḍa* is bent downwards, the form coming closer to *ḷa*. The cursive form of *ṇa* is the three-teeth type, as is already known from the conjuncts of North India. The cursive form of *ta* reduces the left angle to a mere line. *Tha* is almost heart-shaped. *Na* is of the looped type. *Ba* has a notch at the upper arm. *Bha* is nearer to the angular form. *Ma* has the loop at the bottom. *Ya* has dropped its left arm completely. *La* extends the upper curl into a circle and reduces the left limb into an unrecognizable shape. *Va* is tri-angular with a notch at the left arm. *Sa* has the hook on the left, and *ha* has a bend in the base line and a pointed angle on the right. On the whole the writing has become much simplified in no. 5. There are some letters such as *ṇa*, *ta* and *ha* which are similar to the forms in proto-Nāgarī. The medial vowels also incline towards the proto-Nāgarī forms. This tendency to abandon southern features and come in line with the northern character is also to be seen in the later development of the Gujarātī script.