Indian Palaeography c18.s4.t4.3

c18.s4.t4.3

The inscriptions of group (*a*) show some distinguishing features: the fish-hook form of the vowel base sometimes has an angular head. The initial *i* has its horizontal stroke in the middle of the vertical. The initial *o* in no. 5 has its horizontal stroke added to the left middle of the vertical. The medial *u* turns its stroke upwards. The *anusvāra* is always indicated by a hook at the bottom of the letters. The consonants also show some changes. *Kha* has an upper hood in nos. 5 and 6, and in them we also see the old form of *cha*. The lower left horizontal of *ṭha* is optionally inclined. The right hook of *bha* is now applied at the upper half of the vertical—a style which henceforward becomes common. *Śa* has its verticals equal in length to the horizontal. The lower curve of *ha* is invariably straightened. We also meet a new conjunct *śpa*, in which *śa* is cursive, shown only by an oblique line falling down from the upper end of the vertical of *pa* on the left. In (*b*) we have the medial *u* shown by a loop. *Śa* optionally has a rounded top. *Sa* has the mouth of its head wide open. The most difficult problem raised by these inscriptions is to decide about the phonetic value of what has been read as *vha*. Rapson¹ prefers to read it as *ph a*. But, as we have seen before, the phonetic difference from *pha* would normally be shown by adding an oblique stroke on the right at the lower end of the vertical. This clear departure, in which we find a combination of a *va* with an angular hook on the right with its mouth upwards, argues for a conjunct. Rapson's reading was influenced by the Greek legend on the coin of Gondophares, but from the palaeographical point of view this reading is not justified. Although, of course, the form of *ha* is not at all clear in the conjunct, *vha* appears to be a better reading.