Indian Palaeography c15.s9.t1.9

c15.s9.t1.9

Pl. XVII. 6 is taken from the Siddhantam plates of Devendravarman, dated in the (Gaṅga) year 195 (a.d. 694), and the Alamanda plates of Anantavarman, dated in the (Gaṅga) year 304 (a.d. 803). These inscriptions show a fundamental difference from the styles of writing seen in the earlier groups. Their square-headed letters¹ betray some influence from the Northern Deccan, and these inscriptions reveal borrowings from the proto-Nāgarī and proto-Kannadi scripts of the Rāshṭrakūṭas. The proto-Nāgarī influence is seen in the form of the initial *i* with two dots above and a line below, the looped form of *ka*, the open-mouthed *ṇa* or its cursive form, and *ta* with its arms meeting in a top curve. The proto-Kannadi influence is seen in the doubled vertical of *ra* and of the vertical-type of the medial *u*, *la* with its upper curl extended downwards to form an almost complete circle and its left limb reduced to a small hook, and *tha* in the conjunct with a small inner circle. As in the proto-Kannaḍi style the line head-mark is also found here. Influence may also be detected in the peculiar form of *a* which has the lower half of its right vertical double and the left hook of which is optionally assimilated to the loop on this side. The initial *u* is a semi-circle. *Kha* has a broad triangular base. The left arms of both *ga* and *śa* are curved inwards. *Cha* is of the foottype without the stem. *Chha* has a triangular loop on the left. *Ja* optionally loses the third upper arm. *Na* is of the looped variety. The influence of stylus writing is clearly marked in the notches seen in *pa*, *pha*, *bha*, *ma*, *ya*, *va*, *ṣha* and *ha*. *Mā* shows a unique form with its top mouth closed by the horizontal stroke of the medial *ā*.