Indian Palaeography c15.s9.t3.21

c15.s9.t3.21

(*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.