Indian Palaeography c16.s1.26

c16.s1.26

E. Pl. XIX. 7 is taken from Tonigala, Timbirivara, and Vessagiriya rock inscriptions. The writing is conservative, but is largely influenced by the Ikshvāku style. Though the graphic character of the Ikshvāku writing is not seen here, some of its features continue. The line head-marks over the verticals are clearly seen. The new type of the Ikshvāku *a* is seen side by side with the older local form having two left curves joining the right vertical separately. The initial *i* with three lines is of the Ikshvāku type, but generally the third right line is wanting. *U* has its base curved upwards. *E* is almost a circle. The medial *i* retains both the varieties of the previous period. The medial *o* is merely a line above the letters, as in *ko*. The cross-bar of *ka* is very short. *Ga* is round topped with a line foot-mark at the left limb. *Cha* is of the beaked type with no upper stem. *Ja* optionally has its vertical curved. Both *ṇa* and *na* are of the local type, but *ta* optionally is of the looped variety. *Ya* has a flat base with its middle vertical slightly lengthened. *Ra* is generally a straight vertical. *Lo* has its medial *o* applied in the South Indian cursive manner. *Ḷa* copies the Ikshvāku form. The vowelless *m* in *ddham* is placed in line with the other letters. Hardly any new influence is found in these letter-forms except the medial *o* in *lo*, which does not appear in India before the fourth century A.D. These inscriptions may be placed in the same century.