Indian Palaeography c15.s9.t3: (e) The Inscriptions of the Ānandas

Indian Palaeography c15.s9.t3

Language: English

c15.s9.t3.4 — 4 parts
c15.s9.t3.15 — 3 parts
c15.s9.t3.17 — 3 parts
c15.s9.t3.25 — 4 parts

(e) The Inscriptions of the Ānandas

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Two copper plates of the rulers of this dynasty, illustrated here, are in two different styles. Pl. XVII. 11, taken from the Gorantla plates of Attivarman, recalls the style known from the stone inscriptions of the later Pallavas of Kāñchī, datable from the seventh century A.D. onwards. Pl. XVII. 12, taken from the Mattepad plate of Dāmodaravarman, illustrates a local Andhra style as evolved further from the inscriptions of the Vishṇukuṇḍins but not influenced by Chālukya writing. Both inscriptions belong to the seventh century A.D. There is no connexion at all between the writing of these inscriptions and the Ikshvāku style, as has been maintained by several scholars.¹ The medial vowels are all of the seventh century A.D. as seen in the Pallava records (Fig. 16). The double ruled lines in the verticals of *a*, *ka*, *ra*, and the vertical-type of the medial *u*, are clearly inspired by the style of the Pallava stone inscriptions. There are other identical forms in no. 11: the optional type of *ja*, which has a left curl in place of the upper right arm, *ṇa* and *na* with closed loops at their bases, the looped type of *ta*, *la* with a flat top to its extended curl, *śa* with both its arms curved inwards and a short mark within in place of the full length mid-line, and *sha* having its right vertical slightly curved inwards instead of the mid-line. Finally, *ña* used in the conjunct *jña* has a loop on the left. The other inscription, no. 12, exhibits stylistic differences. The curves in the verticals of *a*, *ka*, *ra*, and the vertical type of the medial *u* are no doubt extended but do not show any tendency to being ruled. The foot type of *e*, used here, opens its mouth upwards. *Kha* has no loop at its base. *Ja* has three arms attached to a vertical. *Ṇa* and *na* have their bases bent, and *ta* is of the Deccani style with a curved hook on the right of a vertical. The left arms of *pa*, *pha*, *ba*, *sha* and *ha* are bent. *Ya* has a short curl in place of the third left vertical. *La* does not extend its upper curl too far. Both *śa* and *sha* have full length mid-lines. Notches are seen in the base lines of *e*, *cha*, *da*, *dha*, *pa*, *pha*, *ma*, *ya*, *la*, *va*, *sha* and *ha*.

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¹ See D. C. Sircar, *Successors of the Sātavāhanas*, Calcutta, 1939, p. 56.

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On the whole these inscriptions tell a disturbed story of the writing styles in this region. The incursions of the Chālukyas shattered the local developments and enforced their own style. However, it has been possible to trace the link between the inscriptions of the Śālaṅkāyanas, the Vishṇukuṇḍins, and the Ānandas, the last for the first time placed in their true chronological perspective.

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The term ‘South India’ has been used here to denote the area south of the Kistna Valley. It is not a homogeneous region. Sufficient materials are not available from its different parts to give a coherent picture of the styles of writing in use between the fourth and eighth centuries A.D. The main inscriptions are those of the Pallavas, which give neither a continuous genealogy nor a connected development of the palaeography. Various historical factors are responsible for this chaotic development in the region. The coming of the Pallavas itself marks a definite change. It appears that they uprooted the Bṛihatphalāyanas in the Guntur region, as the Mayidavolu plates of Śivaskandavarman are in the same style as the Kondamudi plates of Jayavamma, and traces of this style are also seen in the subsequent record found at Hirahadagalli in the Bellary district. But the style of the first record, as I have already remarked in the case of the Kondamudi plates,¹ is a retrogression from the symmetrical writing of the Ikshvākus. The second record recalls the long verticals of the Ikshvāku writing but the hand is still corrupt. However, the connexion of the Pallavas with the Ikshvākus is established by the newly discovered inscription (discussed below) of the Pallava Siṁhavarman, which copies the degenerate style of the Ikshvāku writing. The next in the series, the British Museum plate, is in the same bad hand, but shows new types of medial vowels and also some new forms.

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Then there is a break. We have only a fragmentary record, the Darsi plate, to fill this gap. Here the writing has faint traces of thick head-marks and the letters are well formed. This tendency is very clear in the first Omgodu grant¹ of Vijaya Skandavarman, but the published lithograph of the plate is so bad that no certain details can be derived from it. Then we come to the inscriptions of Siṁhavarman. We can clearly distinguish three styles in them: (i) the writing seen in the Magdur and Pikira grants, which has thick head-marks and the lower verticals of which have long curves; (ii) the style seen in the Uruvupalli and Vilavati plates, which has hollow or solid square head-marks and shows a preference for angularity, especially noticeable in the lower curves of the verticals; and (iii) the altogether different script of the second Omgodu grant, which is in the proto-Kannadi writing of the seventh to eighth century a.d. The first two styles are easily derivable from the square-headed letters of the Madharas of Guntur region, which have been assigned to the late fourth and early fifth century a.d.² Later still we find two styles persisting in the Pallava records. (iii) is seen in the Chura (sometimes called Narasaraopet) plate of Vijaya Vishṇugopavarman and in the Udayandiram plates of Nandivarman.

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(ii) henceforward drops its square head-marks, but its other features are continued and further developed in the stone inscriptions of Kāñchī, Mamallapuram and Trichinopoly, and also in the copper plates of later Pallava kings. The proto-Kannadi script is an extraneous writing and its presence here is inexplicable. (ii) also leads on to the development of the Grantha and Tamil characters. This palaeographical analysis does not fit in with the genealogical tables built up by the historians who have tried to reconcile the long genealogies given in the later records of the Pallavas with the fragmentary information contained in the earlier plates. The main difficulty is raised by the plates in proto-Kannadi script. Krishnasastri was the first to suggest a solution. He believed that the Omgodu grant no. 2 ‘must have been a copy of a grant of the 5th–6th century a.d., put into writing in the 7th century’.³ D. C. Sircar followed in his footsteps and similarly asked: ‘What is the objection if we think that the Narasaraopet grant was also an early inscription likewise copied about the same time?'¹ If we follow this argument, we have to say the same thing about the Udayandiram plates of Nandivarman, but this question has somehow been missed by D. C. Sircar.² It must be pointed out that the theory of the official adoption of the proto-Kannaḍi style in this region in the early eighth century a.d.

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seems rather doubtful, especially when we know that this region had its own style of writing well perfected by this time. One cannot escape the suspicion that the plates are the forgeries of persons unacquainted with the official script of the region. The same remark applies to the Chendlur plates,³ though this last record tries to copy the local style in a very bad hand. If this suspicion is true, the genealogy given in these plates need not be accepted. However, it is not my purpose to try to build up any genealogical table. I shall only describe the palaeography in the chronological groups as analysed above.

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¹ See above, p. 187.

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¹ *Epigraphia Indica*, xv. 251–2.

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² See above, p. 177.

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³ *Epigraphia Indica*, xv. 252.

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¹ Sircar, *Successors of the Sātavāhanas*, Calcutta, 1939, p. 173.

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² Ibid., pp. 177-9.

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³ *Epigraphia Indica*, viii. 234-5.

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(*a*) The earliest inscription⁴ of the Pallava dynasty belongs to Siṁhavarman (not illustrated). The writing seen here does not agree with the styles known from the other inscriptions of the Pallavas. As pointed out by D. C. Sircar, it resembles the Ikshvāku writing. But one marked difference is that the present inscription does not show the symmetrical writing of the Ikshvākus. It is possible to point to its counterpart in the second series of the Ikshvāku records,⁵ where the symmetry is not observed. But other differences are also marked. The head-mark in this inscription is more developed than in the Ikshvāku records. Though the lower verticals of *a*, *ka* and *ra* are prolonged, the medial *i* and *ī* do not have the tall signs. On the other hand, the medial *ī*, as applied to *sī*, is turned to the right with an initial prominence. The loop in the forms of *ṇa* and *na* is optionally omitted. *Ya* optionally has a flat base. However, the style is definitely derived from the degenerate writing of the Ikshvākus. It may be dated in the first half of the fourth century a.d.

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⁴ Ibid. xxxii, no. 8, pp. 89-90.

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⁵ See above, p. 99.

c15.s9.t3.15.1

(*b*) Pl. XVIII. 1 is taken from the Siroda (Goa) plates of Devarāja, dated in his 12th regnal year, and Pl. XVIII. 2 is derived from the Mayidavolu plates of Śivaskandavarman. Both these plates are described here for the sake of comparison, as the Siroda plates have been referred to the same date as that of Mayidavolu on the ground that they are written in the same style. But a comparison of the writings as given in the plates will show that there is hardly any similarity between the two. Of the medial vowels the Siroda plates have the circle type of *i* and *ī*, but in the Mayidavolu plates both are left curves, the medial *ī* having an initial prominence in addition; the medial *o* and *ā* in the former have sometimes long verticals on the right, e.g. in *chā*, *thā*, *bhā*, *mo*, *yo* and *yā*, but not in the latter plates. In the Mayidavolu plates the curved tips are very important and the long verticals are seen in *a*, *ka*, *ra*, and the vertical type of the medial *u*. But in the Siroda plates the tendency is to reduce the curves, and no long verticals are seen—features which compare well with the Gurjara records. Only two initial vowels are used in the Siroda plates: in the initial *ā* the hook at the left limb is not prominent, and *u* is almost an arc of a circle. In the Mayidavolu plates the left hook of the initial *a* hangs separately, the initial *u* has a stem with its lower part curved, and the initial *e* is of the same type as in the Kondamudi plates.

c15.s9.t3.15.2

In the Siroda plates *ka* has a short vertical with a cross-bar; *ga* optionally curves its left limb upwards; *gha* is tripartite, with no bending at the verticals; *cha* is of the foot type; *ja* has either three arms or two curves joined together, as in the Gurjara records; *ṇa* has its base bent, but *na* is looped; *ta* has its two arms meeting upwards in a curve; *tha* and *dha* have notches at their lower sides, while the first in the conjunct *sthā* has a circle within it; *da* is round-backed; *pa* has lost its base line; *ba* is almost rectangular; *bha* is angular but without the stem; *ma* has a peculiar form resembling the number 8; *ya* is tripartite; *ra* is vertical; *la* in one case is of the Chālukyan type, with its upper curl rounded, and in the other has a short right vertical; *va* is either circular or triangular; *sha* is angular, with a midline; *sa* has a hook on the left; and the base of *ha* is rounded. Conjuncts show cursive forms as in *ṇṇi* and *shpa*. The *upadhmānīya* is a rough oval with a short mid-line. These forms do not show a single resemblance to those of the Mayidavolu plates. On the other hand, there is some connexion with the Gurjara and Chālukyan characters. The writing may be regarded as a regional script of Goa, derived mainly from the Gurjara style with influence from that of the Chālukyas. However, it may be pointed out that it bears close resemblance to the sixth century style of writing in Ceylon¹ (Pl. XIX. 11).

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It may be dated to the sixth century A.D. On the other hand, the letter-forms of the Mayidavolu plates agree with those of the Kondamudi plates with only this difference, that the forms of the latter do not emphasize the curved tips or show the long verticals. Exact correspondence is seen in the forms of *ke*, *kha*, *ga*, *chha*, the corrupt *ja* (optional in the Mayidavolu plates), *ṭha*, *ḍa*, *da*, *na*, *ṇa*, the Deccani form of *ta* (though the Mayidavolu plates have also the looped *ta*), *ma*, *la*, *sa* and *ha*. Similarly, conjuncts are rare in both, the only one of frequent occurrence being *mha* and *nha*. Of the different forms the Mayidavolu plates have a better type of the initial *a*, the foot type of *cha*, the three-armed type of *ja* (optional), the rare *ña* with its curved tip, *ṭa* with a straight back, *tha* with an inner dot, *pa* and *ba* with their left limbs bent, *bha* of the broad type, the tripartite *ya* with a straight base and its left arm slightly curled, and the triangular type of *va*. This difference is mainly because the Mayidavolu plates exhibit a slightly better hand than the Kondamudi plates.

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¹ See below, p. 223.

c15.s9.t3.17.1

(*c*) Pl. XVIII. 3 is taken from the Hirahadagalli inscription of Śivaskandavarman. The writing shows the same bad hand as in the Mayidavolu inscription, though the corrupt forms of *ja*, *ma* and *sa* are not found here. On the other hand, we find here some new forms. The long verticals, the curved tips, and the same type of the medial vowels, as seen in the Mayidavolu plates, are found here. Of special interest are the following features: the left stroke in *jo* is marked at the middle of the letter; the stroke of medial *ā* in *ṇā* is attached to the right bottom; the medial *e* in *be* and the medial *o* in *mo* are given in the middle of the letters; and in *lo* the medial *o* shows the cursive type of the south. The curve of the medial *u* is turned to the left in *khu*, *ḍu*, *du*, *nu* and *pu*, but it is turned to the right in *gu*, *tu* and *bhu*, and optionally in *ku*. The form of *ke* with its mid-bar slanting downwards to the left is the same in the Kondamudi, Mayidavolu, and Hirahadagalli plates. The initial *a* has two types—one with the hook on the left, while the second has on this side a loop with its mouth open. This second type appears later in the Grantha writing, as seen in the inscriptions of Annamalai and Mamallapuram. *I* is of the three-dot type with one dot above. *U* is of the late Śātavāhana form with its base gently turned upwards. *E* is of the triangular form with its two lower corners rounded. It has no upper stem.

c15.s9.t3.17.2

The cross-bar of *ka* has curled ends, as also in the Mayidavolu plates—a feature which persisted in this region and was widely adopted in the later Grantha writing. *Kha* has a quadrangular looped base. *Ga* has equal arms and a rounded top, and one optional form has the lower ends of the arms curved inwards. The left arms of *ga*, *pa*, *pha*, *ba*, *va* and *ha* are bent. *Cha* is of the foot type. *Ja* has three arms on the right. *Ṭa* has a pointed back. *Ṭha* has its lower side straight. Both *ḍa* and *da* have rounded backs, as in the Mayidavolu plates. *Ṇa* is of the open-mouthed type and shows the same method of applying the medial *ā* as is seen in the Allahabad pillar inscription of Samudra Gupta and the Susunia rock inscription of Chandravarman.¹ This is the earliest appearance of this type in the whole of the south and the only example of its use in this region. Its adoption is explained by the fact that in the Kondamudi and Mayidavolu plates we do not find a separate sign for *ṇa* and *na* distinct from that of *da* and *ḍa*. If this letter is crucial, the date of this inscription cannot be earlier than that of the Allahabad pillar inscription. *Ta* is of the Deccani type. *Tha* has a dot within an oblong form. *Dha* is a rough quadrangle, but also has the late Śātavāhana form with an arc added to the sides of a triangle. The base of *na* is bent. The optional form of *ba* has its left arm deeply curved inwards. *Bha* is of the broad type.

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The loop of *ma* is slightly tilted to the left. *Ya* is of the tripartite form, with its third left arm sometimes curled inwards and sometimes almost dropped. *Ra* optionally has the serpentine vertical. *La* has its right vertical curved to the left. *Va* is either triangular or round. *Sa* has a hook on the left. The vowelless consonant, as *m* in *ddham*, is placed at the right bottom. In the conjuncts the tendency is to write the second letters with a cursive hand, but no cursive forms are developed, except the optional form of *tha* which draws the end of the circle inwards instead of giving the dot separately within the circle. This inscription has been placed by most palaeographers in the first quarter of the fourth century a.d. But the forms of the open-mouthed *a*, the foot type of *e*, the quadrangular looped base of *kha*, the open-mouthed *ṇa* with the medial *ā* attached to its right bottom, the deeply curved left arm of *ba*, and the cursive medial *o* in *lo* raise doubts as to the validity of this dating. If these forms are at all indicative, its date should be in the second half of the fourth century a.d.—a view which was expressed long ago by Fleet.²

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¹ See above, p. 101.

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² *Bombay Gazetteer*, vol. I. II, p. 319.

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(*d*) Pl. XVIII. 4 is taken from the British Museum plate of Vijaya Skandavarman. The writing in this inscription is still poor, but remarkable developments are seen in the forms of the letters. No trace of the special forms of letters used in the two earlier plates of the Pallavas is found here. The characteristic long verticals of the old records are also absent. On the other hand, we find a definite change in the use of the new type of medial vowels. The circle type of the medial *i* and *ī* is seen for the first time, though the old form of the medial *ī* persists in *vī*. The medial *e*, as applied to *chhe*, *ṭe* and *de*, has a curled end, the vertical of the medial *ā* in *chā* is extended, and the left stroke of the medial *ū* in *lū* also curves downwards. We may also note the new forms of the letters—the additional stroke of the initial *ā* is given with the same sweep of the hand as the curving of the right vertical; both *ṇa* and *na* have their bases bent, while the two upper horizontal curves of *ṇa* have curled ends. The Deccani type of *ta* is rarely used; we find either the looped *ta* or the form in which the two arms meet upwards in a curve. The dot of *tha* is now replaced by drawing in the end of the circle, as is the practice in Central India. Most unusual is the occurrence of the bipartite *ya* (only once), and this may be a chance development from the tripartite form with a loop at the left arm generally used in this inscription. Hence the single occurrence of the bipartite *ya* should not be taken as of great chronological significance. Two other letters adopted from Northern Deccan are *ḷa* with a form like that of double *ṭṭa*, and *la* with its upper curl extended around the bottom of the letter. Of the remaining forms *kha* does not have a loop at the base but a horizontal line, the lower ends of *ga* are slightly curved inwards, *cha* is of the broad type with a stem, but *chha* has no stem at all, and *ja* optionally shows the double curve of the Gujarat region. There is no change in the remaining letters. These changes suggest the arrival of new traditions from Central India, and if this is the case the dating of this inscription should fall in the beginning of the fifth century A.D. Some of these forms are also seen in the Kadamba inscriptions of the fifth century A.D.

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(*e*) Pl. XVIII. 5 is derived from the fragmentary Darsi plate issued by a great grandson of Virakūrcha. The change in the writing of this inscription again is remarkable. For the first time we see faint traces of thick head-marks, recalling the square head-marks of the Northern Deccan. The curvature in the lower ends of the verticals of *ka*, *ra*, the vertical type of the medial *u*, and the subscript *ya* is extended upwards in such a way that the lines are almost doubled, recalling a similar practice in the early Chālukyan inscriptions. The medial vowels also show some changes. The circle type of the medial *i* is used as in (*d*) above; the medial *ī* has a broad curve to the left with a curled end, as is known only from the Chālukyan inscriptions. From the same source we can derive the curved type of the medial *au* as applied to *pau*. The features which bear close similarity to early Chālukyan forms are: *ga* with its left arm curved inwards; *ja* with its upper and lower arms waved; both *ṇa* and *na* having an angular hook attached to the left bottom of a sloping vertical; *dha* with its upper end narrowed and its base having a notch; the frequency of notches seen in the forms of *pa*, *ba*, *ma*, *va* and *ha*; *ba* with a break in the curved left arm; *ma* with its loop tilted to the left; *la* with its upper curl extended downwards; *va* with a quadrangular loop attached to the right vertical (optionally); and *śa* with its left arm curved inwards. But there are three forms different from the Chālukyan—here we have a local form of the looped *ta*, and *śa* and *sha* similarly are of local forms with a short mid-bar. With so many similarities to the early Chālukyan forms, this inscription should be dated in the early sixth century a.d.

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(*f*) To the same century belongs the style of writing seen in the inscriptions of Siṁhavarman: (i) Pl. XVIII. 6 is derived from the Magdur and Pikira plates of this ruler, and (ii) Pl. XV. 10 is taken mainly from his Vilavati plates, but his Uruvupalli grant has also been consulted. Both these groups of inscriptions come after (*e*) above, and we shall see some links between the forms of these groups and those of (*e*). But there is one fundamental difference between (*e*) and (*f*): while the forms of (*e*) are derivable from those of the early Chālukyan records, those of (*f*) can be traced to the inscriptions of the Madharas which have been assigned above to the fifth century a.d.; but these Pallava inscriptions are later developments from those of the Madharas, as many new tendencies suggest. However, in general the forms are connected with those seen in the Andhra region, though here the local features are much more clear. These local features mark a gradual development through the British Museum plate, the Darsi record, and the inscriptions of the present group. There is one more distinction between (*e*) and (*f*): the former has very faint traces of thick headlines, but in the latter the head-marks are very prominent. (i) has thick head-lines, and (ii) has square head-marks—both solid and hollow varieties indiscriminately used. There is a stylistic difference between (i) and (ii), the former having rounded curves, and the latter preferring angular features, the lines being almost doubled in *a*, *ka*, *ra*, and the vertical-type of the medial *u*. It seems that the square shape of the head-marks had an important influence on the angular forms of the letters, and the result was the development of a distinct local variety, as is clearly evident from the writing in the Vilavati plates. These angular features are not the same as those observed in the later Vākāṭaka records or in the inscriptions of the Śarabhapura kings.¹ It is this angular variety which becomes distinctive of the area, and is easily distinguishable from the broad curves of the proto-Kannadi script or those of the Andhra region. This variety persists in the stone inscriptions and the later copper plates.

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¹ See above, p. 176.

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The medial vowels used in these inscriptions suggest a borrowing from the Andhra region. The most important are the circle type of the medial *i* and *ī*, though the broad curve with a curly end for the medial *ī* is also used optionally. For the first time in this region we see the broad curve to the right for the medial *u* and *ū*, as applied in *gu*, *bhu* and *bhū*. *Au* in *pau* is the curved type of the south. The medials *ā*, *e* and *o* sometimes have long verticals as in *ye* and *shā*. The lower stroke of the medial *ai* is generally given at the left bottom as in *thai*. The initial *a* has a hook on the left. *U* has a short stem above the curved form. *E* roughly corresponds with the foot type, in one case its mouth opening upwards. The corners of *o* are rounded, while *au* has an additional curved stroke added to the form of *o*. The cross-bar of *ka* has its ends curved inwards. *Kha* has a looped base, but the arms of *ga* do not curve in. *Gha* has a straight base. *Cha* is of the broad type and has a stem. The left loop of *chha* is bigger and angular. *Ja* has three arms on the right. Both *ḍa* and *da* have rounded backs in (i). *Ṇa* and *na* have their bases bent in one type. The other type of *ṇa* shows the angular hook on the left as in (*e*) above. We have also looped varieties of *na* and *ta*. Only in the Magdur plate do we find optionally used the curved type of the Chālukyan *ta*. *Tha* has a short mark within a quadrangular form. Another variety is heart-shaped, both in *tha* and *dha*. A short mid-stroke is given to *śa* and *sha*. The left arms of *pa*, *sha*, *pha*, *ba* and *ha* are bent, and notches can be seen in their lower arms. *Bha* is of the broad type. The lower loop of *ma* is generally not tilted to the left. *Va* is either triangular, or has a broad loop attached to the right vertical. A new type of *ḷa* seen in (ii) resembles the form of *pha* with a tail hanging down. The *upa-dhmānīya* in (ii) shows a cross within an oval. No cursive forms are seen in the conjuncts. These forms suggest that the inscriptions should be dated in the middle of the sixth century A.D. (iii) There is another series of inscriptions which are unmistakably derived from the proto-Kannadi forms of the later Chālukya and early Rāshtrakūṭa records. Pl. XVIII. 7 is taken from Omgodu no. 2 grant of Siṁhavarman (sometimes spelt Siṅghavarman) and the Chura plates of Vijaya Vishṇugopavarman. Pl. XVIII. 8 is taken from the Udayandiram plates of Nandivarman. Both these groups exhibit similar features and they should be dated in the end of the seventh or the beginning of the eighth century A.D. The forms in these inscriptions are closely comparable with Pl. XVI. 11, 12, which are from the inscriptions of the Rāshtrakūṭas, and Pl. XVII. 10 from the inscriptions of the Eastern Chālukyas. The form of the letter *kha* with a small end loop suggests that this type has been taken from the western source rather than from the eastern. It is needless to describe the details once again.

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(*g*) In this group we have the last series of the stone inscriptions as developed from the writing seen in (*f*) (ii) above. One fundamental difference is that the square head-marks are no longer given, but the same type of angularity in the long curves is to be noticed. The vertical lines appear to have been ruled. Another great change is seen in the evolution of a large number of local forms. These inscriptions should be dated in the seventh to eighth century A.D. Pl. XVIII. 9 is taken from Panamalai inscription; Pl. XVIII. 10 is derived from Annamalai inscriptions of the time of Parāntaka, dated in the Kali year 3871 (A.D. 770); Pl. XVIII. 11 is taken from Trichinopoly cave inscriptions; and Pl. XVIII. 12 is taken from stone inscriptions at Mamallapuram. Some of these inscriptions show much influence of stylus writing. Though some extraneous forms, such as the open-mouthed *bha* and *sa* and the extended curl of *la*, are obviously taken from the Rāshtrakūṭa records, the importance of these inscriptions lies not in these forms, but in the development of the local varieties which directly pave the way for the later Tamil. The medial vowels are here fully developed. The medial *ā* is a long vertical on the right, but the medial *e* gently curves its vertical on the left and has its end slightly curled. In the case of *jā* the medial stroke is curved upwards. The medial *o* combines the strokes of *ā* and *e*.

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The medial *ai* has an additional curved stroke attached to the bottom of the medial *e*. The medial *au*, as seen in *pau*, combines the strokes of *ā* and *ai*. The medial *i* is of the circle type, but the medial *ī* has the broad curve with a curled end. The medial *u* and *ū* in *gu*, *bhu* and *bhū* are always broad curves to the right, but in other letters the medial *u* is of the vertical type. The medial *ṛi* is a curve to the left as in *nṛi*, or to the right as in *kṛi*. The initial *a* has a double vertical on the right, and on the left either a loop or a triangle with its mouth open. The roof of the initial *i* is notched and a tail drops from its right end to join the dot on the right. The foot type of the initial *e* now opens its mouth on the right, has a loop at the base, and curves the right arm downwards. *Ka* has a double vertical and its cross-bar has curled ends, but in the Mamallapuram inscriptions this form of the cross-bar is replaced by a loop on the left and an angular hook on the right, recalling the looped type of the proto-Nāgarī *ka*. The left arm of *ga* curls upwards in the inscriptions of Panamalai and Annamalai. The left arm of *gha* is bent, but the base is straight. *Cha* is of the foot type with its mouth optionally open at the top. The three arms of *ja* are very rarely seen.

c15.s9.t3.25.3

Generally its uppermost arm is turned to the left with a notch in the middle and a curled end, while the vertical gently bends and absorbs the middle arm, and the lowest arm optionally has a loop. *Ña*, as used in the conjuncts, maintains its proper form. *Ṇa* shows double loops at the base with its vertical divided into two lines, but the other variety with the base curved is also seen. *Ta* is of the looped type. *Tha*, *sa* and *sha* have inner short strokes. The forms of *tha* and *dha* are the same—a rough quadrangle with a notch in the lower arm. Very rarely *dha* narrows its upper end. *Da* has a rounded back. The base of *na* is curved but optionally is of a looped variety. *Pa* has rounded corners with notches at the arms. The rectangular *ba* has its upper side turned to the left with a notch in the middle and a curled end, as in *ja*, and the middle left arm slopes to the left. As a result we have a form resembling ‘z’ with an additional vertical standing at the end of the lower horizontal. Along with the open-mouthed *bha* of the north here we also find the broad type of the south. *Ma* has the usual loop at the bottom. *Ya* is of the tripartite type with its left arm sometimes curled, looped, or joined with the middle arm. *Ra* has a double vertical. *La* extends its upper curl downwards but optionally has a flat top. *Ḷa* either adopts the Rāshtrakūṭa form which replaces the lower curve by a short line, or shows a broad curve added to the form of *ṭa*.

c15.s9.t3.25.4

*Va* is triangular with its lower corners rounded and base notched. *Śa*, like *ga*, optionally curls the left arm upwards, but in other cases both the arms are curled inwards. *Sa* is either of the open-mouthed variety of the north or of the hooked type. *Ha* optionally extends its right hook downwards. In the Trichinopoly cave inscriptions *ja* in the conjunct *jña* recalls the corrupt form used in the Mayidavolu plates. *Kha*, as seen in the conjunct *khya*, opens the mouth of its looped base and its upper curve has a curled end. The other conjuncts use the full forms of the letters. These inscriptions have introduced many new forms, but at the same time maintain the link with the earlier inscriptions of this region. The northern forms, mentioned in some cases, should be traced to the proto-Nāgarī letters of the Rāshtrakūṭa inscriptions.

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The following list follows the arrangement of the plates illustrated.

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¹ \
(i) Allahabad pillar inscription of Samudra Gupta, Fleet, *C.I.I.* iii. 6–10. \
(ii) Udayagiri cave inscription of Chandra Gupta II, ibid., p. 35. \
(iii) Gadhwa stone inscription of Chandra Gupta II, dated (Gupta) year 88, ibid., pp. 37–38. \
(iv) Bhita clay seal, *An. Rep. A.S.I.*, 1911–12, pl. XVII. 20. \
(v) Basarh clay seal of Dhruvasvāminī, ibid., 1903–4, p. 107. \
(vi) Sahet-Mahet seals and sealings, ibid., 1910–11, pl. XI*b*.
2. \
(i) Karamdanda inscription of Kumāra Gupta I, *Epigraphia Indica*, x. 71. \
(ii) Bhitari pillar inscription of Skanda Gupta, Fleet, *C.I.I.* iii. 53–54.
3. \
(i) Gadhwa stone inscription of Kumāra Gupta I, ibid., p. 40. \
(ii) Gadhwa stone inscription of Kumāra Gupta I, dated (Gupta) year 98, ibid., p. 41. \
(iii) Mankuwar stone image inscription of Kumāra Gupta I, dated (Gupta) year 129, ibid., pp. 46–47. \
(iv) Bihar stone pillar inscription of Skanda Gupta, ibid., pp. 49–50. \
(v) Kahaum stone pillar inscription of Skanda Gupta, dated (Gupta) year 141, ibid., p. 67.

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PLATE X

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(vi) Sarnath inscriptions of Kumāra Gupta II, *An. Rep. A.S.I.*, 1914–15, pl. LXIX.
(vii) Banaras stone pillar inscription of Budha Gupta, *J.A.S.B.*, 1949, p. 6.

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4. *The Maukharis of Magadha*
(i) Barabar Hill cave inscription of Anantavarman, Fleet, *C.I.I.* iii. 222–3.
(ii) Nagarjuni Hill cave inscription of Anantavarman, ibid., pp. 224–5.
(iii) Nagarjuni Hill cave inscription of Anantavarman, ibid., p. 227.

c15.s9.t3.31

5. (i) Amauna (Gaya district) plate of Mahārāja Nandana, dated (Gupta) year 232, *Epigraphia Indica*, x. 50–51.

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6. *The Maukharis of Kanauj*
(i) Haraha stone inscription of Īśānavarman, dated (Vikrama) year 611, *Epigraphia Indica*, xiv. 115–18.
(ii) Asirgadh copper seal of Śarvavarman, Fleet, *C.I.I.* iii. 220.
(iii) Jaunpur stone inscription of Īśvaravarman, ibid., pp. 229–30.
(iv) Two Maukhari seals from Nalanda, *Epigraphia Indica*, xxiv. 285.
(v) Sohnag terracotta seal of Avantivarman, ibid. xxvii. 64–65.

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7. (i) Bodhgaya inscription of Mahānāman, dated (Gupta) year 269, Fleet, *C.I.I.* iii. 276–7.
(ii) Bodhgaya image inscription of Mahānāman, ibid., p. 279.

c15.s9.t3.34

8. (i) Madhuban plate of Harshavardhana, dated (Harsha) year 25, *Epigraphia Indica*, vii. 157–8.
(ii) Banskhera plate of Harshavardhana, ibid. iv. 210–11.

c15.s9.t3.35

9. (i) Spurious Gaya copper plate of Samudra Gupta, dated (Gupta) year 9, Fleet, *C.I.I.* iii. 256–7.

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10. (i) Aphsad stone inscription of Ādityasena, ibid., pp. 202–5.
(ii) Shahpur stone inscription of Ādityasena, ibid., p. 210.

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11. (i) Deobarnark inscription of Jīvitagupta II, ibid., pp. 215–17.

c15.s9.t3.38

12. (i) Nalanda stone inscription of Yaśovarman, *Epigraphia Indica*, xx. 43–44.

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PLATE XI

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1. (i) Susunia rock inscription of Chandravarman, *Epigraphia Indica*, xiii. 133.

c15.s9.t3.41

² (i) Dhanaidaha copper plate of (Gupta) year 113, *ibid.* xvii. 347–8.
(ii) Kalaikhuri copper plate of (Gupta) year 120, *I.H.Q.*, 1943, pp. 21–24.
(iii) Damodarpur copper plate of (Gupta) year 124, *Ep. Ind.* xv. 130 ff.

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(iv) Damodarpur copper plate of (Gupta) year 128, *Ep. Ind.* xv. 133 ff.
(v) Baigram copper plate of (Gupta) year 128, ibid. xxi. 81 ff.
(vi) Paharpur copper plate of (Gupta) year 159, ibid. xx. 61 ff.
(vii) Damodarpur copper plate of (Gupta) year 163, ibid., xv. 135 ff. (viii) Damodarpur copper plate of the time of Budha Gupta, ibid., pp. 138 ff.

c15.s9.t3.43

3. (i) Gunaighar copper plate of Vainya Gupta, dated (Gupta) year 188, *I.H.Q.*, 1930, pp. 53–56.
(ii) Damodarpur copper plate of (Gupta) year 224, *Ep. Ind.* xv. 142–3.
(iii) Faridpur copper plate of Dharmāditya, *Indian Antiquary*, xxxix. 195 ff.
(iv) Faridpur copper plate of Dharmāditya, ibid. xxxix. 200–1.
(v) Mallasarul copper plate of Gopachandra, *Ep. Ind.* xxiii. 159–61.
(vi) Faridpur copper plate of Gopachandra, year 18, *Ind. Ant.* xxxix. 204 ff.
(vii) Ghughrahati copper plate of Samāchāradeva, *J.A.S.B.*, 1910, pp. 435–6.

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4. (i) Nidhanpur copper plates of Bhāskaravarman, *Ep. Ind.* xii. 73–76.
(ii) Tippera copper plate of Lokanātha, ibid. xv. 306–9.
(iii) Kailan copper plate of Śrī Dhāraṇa Rāta, *I.H.Q.*, 1947, pp. 237–41.

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5. (i) Ashrafpur copper plates of Devakhaḍga, *M.A.S.B.* i, no. 6, pp. 89–91.
(ii) Deulbari Image inscription of Mahādevī, *Ep. Ind.* xvii. 359.

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6. (i) Bodhgaya inscription of Dharmapāla, year 26, *J.A.S.B.*, 1908, p. 102.
(ii) Khalimpur copper plate of Dharmapāla, ibid., 1894, pp. 53–58.
(iii) Mungir copper plate of Devapāla, year 33, *Ep. Ind.* xviii. 304–7.
(iv) Two newly discovered copper plates of Bhavadeva from the Salban Vihāra, Mainamati, unpublished.

c15.s9.t3.47

*Nepal*

c15.s9.t3.48

For the Nepalese inscriptions I have relied upon the new Italian publication, *Nepalese Inscriptions in Gupta Characters* by R. Gnoli, Roma, 1956, which contains good photographs. It has been referred to here by the name of the author.

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⁷ Gnoli, nos. I, III, IV, VI, VIII, IX, and X, dated between the (Śaka) years 386 and 427.

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⁸ Gnoli, nos. XI–XXII, dated between the (Śaka) years 428 and 516.

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⁹ Gnoli, nos. XXIV–XXX, XL, and LVII, dated between the (Śaka) years 517 and 535, and in the (Harsha) year 59.

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10. Gnoli, nos. LIX, LXI, LXII, LXVII, LXIX, LXX, and LXXII, dated between (Harsha) years 60 and 95.

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11. Gnoli, nos. LXXIII, LXXVI, LXXVII, and LXXXI, dated between (Harsha) years 103 and 159.

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PLATE XII. *Mathura and the North-west region

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1. (i) Mathura inscription of Chandra Gupta II, dated (Gupta) year 61, *Ep. Ind.* xxi. 8–9.
(ii) Mathura inscription of Chandra Gupta II, Fleet, *C.I.I.* iii. 26–27.

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2. (i) Mathura inscription of Kumāra Gupta I, dated (Gupta) year 113, *Ep. Ind.* ii. 210.
(ii) Mathura inscription of the time of Kumāra Gupta I, dated (Gupta) year 135, Fleet, *C.I.I.* iii. 263.

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3. (i) Mehrauli iron pillar inscription of Chandra, ibid., p. 141.

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4. (i) Indor (Anupshahar district, U.P.) plate of Skanda Gupta, dated (Gupta) year 146, ibid., pp. 70–71.

c15.s9.t3.59

5. (i) Shorkot inscription of (Gupta) year 83, *Ep. Ind.* xvi. 15.

c15.s9.t3.60

6. (i) Kura inscription of the time of Toramāṇa, ibid. i. 239–40.

c15.s9.t3.61

7. (i) Tusaṃ (Hissar district, Punjab) inscription, Fleet, *C.I.I.* iii. 270.

c15.s9.t3.62

8. (i) Nirmand (Kangra district) plate of Samudrasena, year 6, ibid., pp. 288–9.

c15.s9.t3.63

9. (i) Gūm (Guh) stone inscription of Sāmanta Āshāḍha Deva, J. Ph. Vogel, *Antiquities of Chamba*, A.S.I., Calcutta, 1911, p. 146.
(ii) Panali Nala rock inscriptions, ibid., nos. 1–4, p. 137.

c15.s9.t3.64

10. LÜDERS, H., *Bruchstücke der Kalpanāmaṇḍitikā Des Kumāralāta*, Leipzig, 1926.

c15.s9.t3.65

11. HOERNLE, RUDOLF A. F., *Bower Manuscript*, A.S.I., Calcutta, 1893–1912.

c15.s9.t3.66

12. MÜLLER, F. MAX, and NANUIO, B. *The Ancient Palm Leaves (Horiuzi Palm Leaf MSS.)*, *Anecdota Oxoniensia*, vol. i, pt. iii, Oxford, 1884, with an appendix on palaeography by G. Bühler.

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PLATE XIII. *Central India and Rajasthan

c15.s9.t3.68

1. (i) Udayagiri cave inscription of (Gupta) year 106, Fleet, *C.I.I.* iii. 258–9.

c15.s9.t3.69

2. (i) Bihar Kotra inscription of Naravarman, dated (Vikrama) year 474, *Ep. Ind.* xxvi. 131–2.

c15.s9.t3.70

(ii) Gangadhar inscription of Viśvavarman, dated (Vikrama) year 480, Fleet, *C.I.I.* iii. 74–76.

c15.s9.t3.71

3. (i) Sanchi inscription of (Gupta) year 131, ibid., pp. 261–2.
(ii) Mandasor inscription of Govinda Gupta, dated (Vikrama) year 524, *Ep. Ind.* xxvii. 15–16.
(iii) Mandasor inscription of Kumāra Gupta and Bandhuvarman, The Mālava (Vikrama) years 493 and 529, Fleet, *C.I.I.* iii. 79–84.

c15.s9.t3.72

4. (i) Eran pillar inscription of Budha Gupta, dated (Gupta) year 165, ibid., p. 89.

c15.s9.t3.73

5. (i) Eran Boar inscription of Toramāṇa, ibid., pp. 159–60.

c15.s9.t3.74

6. (i) Gwalior inscription of Mihirakula, ibid., pp. 162–3.

c15.s9.t3.75

7. (i) Mandasor pillar inscription of Yaśodharman, ibid., pp. 146–7.
(ii) Another Mandasor inscription of Yaśodharman, ibid., pp. 149–50.
(iii) Mandasor inscription of Yaśodharman and Vishṇuvardhana, dated Mālava (Vikrama) year 589, ibid., pp. 152–4.

c15.s9.t3.76

8. (i) Vasantagadh inscription of Varmalāta, dated (Vikrama) year 682, *Ep. Ind.* ix. 191–2.

c15.s9.t3.77

9. (i) Nagda (Udaipur) inscription of Aparājita, dated (Vikrama) year 718, ibid. iv. 31–32.
(ii) Jhalrapatan (Rajasthan) inscription of Durggaṇa, dated (Vikrama) year 746, *Ind. Ant.* v. 181–2.

c15.s9.t3.78

10. (i) Kanaswa (Kota state) inscription of Śivagaṇa, dated Mālava (Vikrama) year 795, ibid. xix. 57–59.

c15.s9.t3.79

11. (i) Buchkala inscription of Nāgabhaṭa, dated (Vikrama) year 872, *Ep. Ind.* ix. 199–200.

c15.s9.t3.80

12. (i) Barah copper plate of Bhojadeva, dated (Vikrama) year 893, ibid. xix. 17–18.

c15.s9.t3.81

PLATE XIV. *Kathiawad and Central India

c15.s9.t3.82

*Kathiawad* 3. (i) Wala plate of Guhasena, dated (Gupta-Valabhi) year 246, ibid. xiii. 339–40.
(ii) Palitana plates of Dharasena I, dated (Gupta-Valabhi) year 252, ibid. xi. 81–84.
(iii) Palitana plates of Siṁhāditya, dated (Gupta-Valabhi) year 255, ibid., pp. 17–18.
(iv) Palitana plates of Śīlāditya I, dated (Gupta-Valabhi) year 286, ibid., pp. 116–17.
(v) Navalekhi plates of Śīlāditya I, dated (Gupta-Valabhi) year 286, ibid., pp. 178–80.

c15.s9.t3.83

¹ (i) Junagadh rock inscription of Skanda Gupta, dated (Gupta) years 136, 137 and 138, Fleet, *C.I.I.* iii. 58–61.

c15.s9.t3.84

² (i) Bhamodra Mohota plate of Droṇasiṁha, dated (Gupta-Valabhi) year 183, *Ep. Ind.* xvi. 18–19.
(ii) Palitana plates of Dhruvasena I, dated (Gupta-Valabhi) year 206, ibid. xi. 105–8.
(iii) Two Palitana plates of Dhruvasena I, dated (Gupta-Valabhi) year 210, ibid., pp. 110–14.

c15.s9.t3.85

4. (i) Nogawa plates of Dhruvasena II, dated (Gupta-Valabhi) year 320, ibid. viii. 190–4.

c15.s9.t3.86

5. (i) Bhavanagar plates of Śīlāditya IV, dated (Gupta-Valabhi) year 372, *Ind. Ant.* v. 209–12.

c15.s9.t3.87

*Central India*
6. (i) Poona copper plate of Prabhāvatī Guptā, *Ep. Ind.* xv. 41 ff.

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7. (i) Majhgawan plates of Hastin, dated (Gupta) year 191, Fleet, *C.I.I.* iii. 107–8.

c15.s9.t3.89

8. (i) Khoh copper plate of Hastin, dated (Gupta) year 163, ibid., pp. 102–4.
(ii) Karitalai copper plate of Jayanātha, dated (Gupta) year 174, ibid., pp. 118–19.
(iii) Khoh copper plate of Jayanātha, dated (Gupta) year 177, ibid., pp. 122–3.

c15.s9.t3.90

9. (i) Khoh copper plate of Sarvanātha, dated (Gupta) year 193, ibid., pp. 126–8.
(ii) Khoh copper plate of Sarvanātha, dated (Gupta) year 197, ibid., pp. 133–4.
(iii) Khoh copper plate of Saṅkshobha, dated (Gupta) year 209, ibid., pp. 114–15.
(iv) Khoh copper plate of Sarvanātha, dated (Gupta) year 214, ibid., pp. 136–7.

c15.s9.t3.91

10. (i) Arang plates of Bhīmasena II, dated (Gupta) year 282, *Ep. Ind.* ix. 344–5.

c15.s9.t3.92

*Rāshṭrakūṭa inscriptions*
11. (i) Tiwarkheda (Betul district) plates of Nannarāja, dated Śaka year 553, *Ep. Ind.* xi. 279–80.

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¹² (i) Samangada plates of Dantidurga, dated Śaka year 675, *Ind. Ant.* xi. 111–13.
(ii) Paithan plates of Govinda III, dated Śaka year 716, *Ep. Ind.* iii. 105–6.

c15.s9.t3.94

PLATE XV. *Eastern Malwa and Deccan

c15.s9.t3.95

1. (i) Eran inscription of Samudra Gupta, Fleet, *C.I.I.* iii. 20.
(ii) Udayagiri cave inscription of Chandra Gupta II, dated (Gupta) year 82, ibid., p. 25.

c15.s9.t3.96

2. (i) Bilsad (Eta district) pillar inscription of Kumāra Gupta I, dated (Gupta) year 96, ibid., pp. 43–44.

c15.s9.t3.97

3. (i) Mandasor inscription of Naravarman, dated Mālava (Vikrama) year 461, *Ep. Ind.* xii. 320–1.
(ii) Tumain inscription of Ghaṭotkacha Gupta, dated (Gupta) year 116, ibid., xxv. 117.

c15.s9.t3.98

4. (i) Chakmak copper plate of Pravarasena II, Fleet, *C.I.I.* iii. 236–40.
(ii) Ajanta cave inscription no. 3, *A.S.W.I.* iv, pl. LVII.
(iii) Ghaṭotkacha cave inscription, ibid., pl. LX.

c15.s9.t3.99

5. (i) Siwani copper plate of Pravarasena II, Fleet, *C.I.I.* iii. 245–7. This is the main inscription from which the examples have been taken. But the following plates have also been consulted.

c15.s9.t3.100

*Plates showing angular features*
(ii) Ridhpur copper plates, *J.A.S.B.*, 1924, pp. 58 ff. The plates are published in reverse order.
(iii) Belora copper plate, *Ep. Ind.* xxiv. 264–7.
(iv) Indor copper plate, ibid., pp. 54–56.
(v) Dudia plates, ibid. iii. 260–2.
(vi) Tirodi copper plate, ibid. xxii. 171–4.

c15.s9.t3.101

*Plates showing rounded features*
(vii) Basim copper plate, *Ep. Ind.* xxvi. 151–3. (viii) Kothuraka copper plate, ibid., pp. 159–61.
(ix) Pattana copper plate, ibid. xxiii. 85–88.
(x) Balaghat copper plate, ibid. ix. 267.

c15.s9.t3.102

6. (i) Arang copper plate of Jayarāja, Fleet, *C.I.I.* iii. 193–4.
(ii) Raipur copper plate of Sudevarāja, ibid., pp. 197–9.

c15.s9.t3.103

7. (i) Pipardula copper plate of Narendra, *I.H.Q.* 1943, pp. 145–6.

c15.s9.t3.104

8. *Kadamba inscriptions*
(i) Devagiri plates of Mṛigeśvaravarman, year 3, *Ind. Ant.* vii. 35–36.
(ii) Talgunda pillar inscription of Śāntivarman, *Ep. Ind.* viii. 31–33.
(iii) Devagiri copper plates of Mṛigeśvaravarman, year 4, *Ind. Ant.* vii. 37–38.
(iv) Halsi copper plates of Mṛigeśvaravarman, year 8, ibid. vi. 24–25.

c15.s9.t3.105

9. *Western Chālukya inscription*
(i) Yekkeri rock inscription of the time of Pulekeśin II, *Ep. Ind.* v. 7–8.

c15.s9.t3.106

10. *Pallava inscriptions*
(i) Uruvupalli copper plate of the time of Siṁhavarman, *Ind. Ant.* v. 51–52.
(ii) Vilavati grant of Siṁhavarman, *Ep. Ind.* xxiv. 301–3.

c15.s9.t3.107

11. *Inscriptions of the Madharas of Kalinga*
(i) Ragholi plates of Śaktivarman, *Ep. Ind.* xii. 2–3.
(ii) Bṛihatpostha grant of Umaravarman, ibid., p. 5.
(iii) Komartali plates of Chandravarman, ibid. iv. 144.
(iv) Dhavalapeta plates of Umaravarman, ibid. xxvi. 134–5.
(v) Koroshanda plates of Viśākhavarman, ibid. xxi. 24–25.

c15.s9.t3.108

12. *Ganga inscriptions*
(i) Narasiṅghapalli plates of Hastivarman, dated (Gaṅga) year 79, *Ep. Ind.* xxiii. 65–66.
(ii) Urlam plates of Hastivarman, dated (Gaṅga) year 80, ibid. xvii. 332–3.
(iii) Achyutapuram plates of Indravarman, dated (Gaṅga) year 87, ibid. iii. 128–9.
(iv) Purle plates of Indravarman III, dated (Gaṅga) year 149, ibid. xiv. 361–3.
(v) Tekkali plates of Indravarman III, dated (Gaṅga) year 154, ibid. xviii. 309–10.
(vi) Chicacole plates of Devendravarman, dated (Gaṅga) year 183, ibid. iii. 131–3.

c15.s9.t3.109

Plate XVI. *Mysore, Mahārāshṭra, and Gujarat*

c15.s9.t3.110

*Kadamba inscriptions*

c15.s9.t3.111

1. (i) Maḷvalli stone inscriptions of Śivaskandavarman, *Ep. Carnatica*, vii. 252, no. 264.

c15.s9.t3.112

2. (i) Halsi plates of Kākusthavarman, *Ind. Ant.* vi. 23.
(ii) Halsi plates of Ravivarman, ibid., pp. 25–26.
(iii) Halsi plates of Ravivarman, ibid., p. 28.
(iv) Halsi plates of Ravivarman, ibid., pp. 29–30.

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3. (i) Bannahalli plates of Kṛishṇavarman II, year 7, *Ep. Ind.* vi. 18–19.

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*Western Chālukya inscriptions* 5. (i) Aiṅole inscription of Pulekeśin II, dated Śaka year 556, *Ep. Ind.* vi. 4–7.
(ii) Nerur plates of Pulekeśin II, *Ind. Ant.* viii. 43.
(iii) Copper plate of Pulekeśin II, dated Śaka year 535, ibid. vi. 73–74.

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⁴ (i) Badami cave inscription of Maṅgaleśa, dated Śaka year 500, *Ind. Ant.* iii. 305, and plate, ibid., x.

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⁵⁸ (ii) Badami Kanarese rock inscription of Maṅgaleśa, ibid. x.

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⁶⁰ (iii) Badami inscription of Maṅgaleśa, ibid. xix. 16–18. This inscription is engraved bottom upwards.

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6. (i) Nerur plates of Vijayabhaṭṭārikā, ibid. vii. 163–4.

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7. (i) Togarchedu plates of Vinayāditya Satyāśraya, dated Śaka year 611, ibid. vi. 86–87.
(ii) Copper plate of Vinayāditya, dated Śaka year 614, ibid., pp. 89–90.
(iii) Vakkaleri plates of Kīrtivarman II, dated Śaka year 679, *Ep. Ind.* v. 202–5.

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8. *Traikūṭakas of Gujarat*
(i) Pardi plates of Dahrasena, *Ep. Ind.* x. 53–54.
(ii) Surat plates of Vyāghrasena, dated (Kalachuri) year 241 (A.D. 490), ibid. xi. 220–1.

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*Gurjara inscriptions*

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9. (i) Sankheda grants of Dadda, dated (Kalachuri) year 346 (A.D. 595–6), *Ep. Ind.* ii. 20.
(ii) Abhona plates of Śaṅkaragaṇa, dated (Kalachuri) year 347 (A.D. 596), ibid. ix. 297–8.

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10. (i) Vadner plates of Buddharāja, dated (Kalachuri) year 360 (A.D. 608–9), ibid. xii. 33–35.
(ii) Sarsaoni plates of Buddharāja, dated (Kalachuri) year 361 (A.D. 609), vi. 297–8.
(iii) Sankheda grant of Dadda, dated (Kalachuri) year 391 (A.D. 640), ibid. ii. 21.

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*Kanarese inscriptions of the Rāshṭrakūṭas*

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11. (i) Pattadakal inscription of the time of Dhruva, *Ind. Ant.* xi. 125.

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12. (i) Hatti Mattur (Dharwar district) inscription of the time of Kṛishṇa I, *Ep. Ind.* vi. 161.
(ii) Naregal inscription of the time of Dhruva, ibid., p. 163.
(iii) Lakshmeśvara inscription of the time of Śrī Vallabha, ibid., p. 166.
(iv) Inscription of Govinda III, dated Śaka year 726, *Ind. Ant.* xi 126–7.

Linked texts (24)

Cendalūra grant, time of Kumāraviṣṇu, year 2 — Sanskrit
Pedda-Vegi plates of Jayasiṁha I — Sanskrit
Timmapuram plates of Viṣṇuvardhana I — Sanskrit
Epigraphia Indica
Mandasor Inscription of Kumaragupta and Bandhuvarman — Sanskrit
Nidhanpur copper plates of Bhaskaravarman — Sanskrit
Mandasor pillar inscription of Yasodharman — Sanskrit
Vadner plates of Buddharāja: (Kalachuri) year 360 (ed. Mirashi 1955) — Sanskrit
Ābhōṇa plates of Śaṅkaragaṇa: (Kalachuri) year 347 (ed. Mirashi 1955) — Sanskrit
Chikkulla plates of Vikramēndravarman II — Sanskrit
Siddhantam plates of Devendravarman — Sanskrit
Alamanda plates of Anantavarman — Sanskrit
Ipur plates of Vishnuvardhana III — Sanskrit
Achyutapuram Plates of Indravarman — Sanskrit
Siroda plates of Devaraja — Sanskrit
Ramatirtham plates of Indravarman — Sanskrit
Ipur plates of Madhavavarman II — Sanskrit
Bodh-Gaya Inscription (A) of the Lakshmaṇasēna year 51 — Sanskrit
Surat plates of Vyāghrasēna: (Kalachuri) year 241 (ed. Mirashi 1955) — Sanskrit
Udayagiri Cave Inscription of Chandragupta II — Sanskrit
Sānchi inscription (No. 274) — Prakrit
Mandasor inscription of Naravarman (ed. Bhandarkar 1913) — Sanskrit
Paṭṭadakal inscription (No. 481) — Sanskrit
Pālitāṇā plates of Dhruvasēna (I.), year 207 (ed. Bhandarkar 1928) — Sanskrit

Indian Palaeography c15.s9.t3: (e) The Inscriptions of the Ānandas

Contents

(e) The Inscriptions of the Ānandas