Indian Palaeography c15.s9.t3.25

Language: English

c15.s9.t3.25.1

(*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*.

c15.s9.t3.25.2

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.