Indian Palaeography c15.s9.t3.17.1

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.