Indian Palaeography c15.s7.t1.7

c15.s7.t1.7

(i) Pl. XV. 8 is taken from the Talgunda pillar inscription of Śāntivarman and the copper plates of Mṛigeśvaravarman. Pl. XV. 10 is derived from the Uruvupalli and Vilavati plates of Siṁhavarman, the Pallava ruler, which will be described in the next section. Pl. XV. 11 is taken from the plates of Śaktivarman, Umaravarman, and Chandravarman. Of these the Talgunda inscription, being on a stone pillar, shows a high quality of engraving and the letters are clearly brought out, with emphasis on angularity. The head-mark is a mere fashion, and has not at all affected the local forms of the letters. This fact is a great distinguishing feature between the inscriptions of these dynasties and those of the Vākāṭakas. The writing differs from dynasty to dynasty. We also find in these inscriptions the influence of the stylus, clearly recognized in the notches and the rounded features in *i*, *e*, *kha*, *cha*, *ja*, *ḍa*, *tha*, *dha*, *pa*, *pha*, *ba*, *bha*, *ma*, *la*, *va*, *sha* and *ha*. The medial vowels and the general forms are of the local styles known from other contemporary inscriptions. These will be discussed subsequently, when the general character of all the inscriptions will be taken up.²