Indian Palaeography c15.s8.t1.8

c15.s8.t1.8

(iii) Pl. XVI. 3 is taken from Bannahalli plates of Kṛishṇavarman II. It illustrates the style of the sixth century a.d.,¹ as seen in the inscriptions of the Banavāsī branch of the Kadambas. There is a peculiar individualistic tendency of adding small circle-like flourishes to the letters in these plates. Another important change noticeable is the frequency of notches in almost all the horizontal lines, as may be seen in the forms of *e*, *cha*, *ja*, *da*, *dha*, *pa*, *pha*, *ba*, *ma*, *ya*, *la*, *va*, *sha* and *ha*. This is obviously due to the influence of stylus writing. The medial vowels adopt the new forms seen in (ii) above. The new developments in the letters are seen in the following: the lower curve of the initial *a* is extended upwards; *u* is almost a semi-circle; *e* resembles a foot with a slight upward opening of the mouth; both *ga* and *śa* are of the horseshoe type with their left arms slightly curved in; both *ṇa* and *na* now show small angular hooks attached to a vertical; *ta* is of the curved Chālukyan type as well as of the looped variety seen in the Andhra region. The *jihvāmūlīya* adopts the form of the southern *ma*.