Indian Palaeography c15.s9.t3.17.2

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.