Indian Palaeography c15.s9.t3.24

c15.s9.t3.24

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.