Indian Palaeography c18.s4.t4.6

c18.s4.t4.6

The inscriptions of this period can be classified in four groups: (*a*) Those inscriptions which mention the name of Kushaṇa, Khushaṇa, or Gushaṇa, or those dated after the year 122, beginning from the Panjtar inscription (Konow, no. B. XXVI). Pl. XXIII. 9 represents this group. The Takht-i-Bahi inscription, described above, shows a writing very similar to that of the present group. (*b*) This group includes the stone inscriptions dated in the new series and referrable to the time of the Kanishka group of the rulers. The writing here generally continues the style of (*a*), though some new influences from (*c*) are also traceable. It is represented here by Pl. XXIII. 11. Of the inscriptions falling in this group the Mamane Dheri pedestal inscription (Konow, C. LXXXVIII) shows great similarity to those of the next group. (*c*) This group is represented by Pl. XXIII. 10, 12, which introduce the true Kushāṇa style of the time of the Kanishka group of the rulers. To this group belongs the Bimran vase inscription (Konow, B. XVII), and its date lies in this period. No. 12 is the latest in the series and has some connexion with the writing known from Chinese Turkestan, discussed below. The dominant feature of this writing is the characteristic bend of the lower end of the verticals towards the left. The medial *i*, as in *niṁ* in no. 10, is occasionally given at the left end, in place of the middle as before. Rapson¹ correctly recognized the form of *visarga*, as in *naḥ* in no. 12. Here the two dots placed side by side are given on the top of the letter. The medial *u* in no. 11 assumes the form of a triangle. In no. 12 *ka* joins the left horizontal and the right hook in a single curved stroke—a form which is commonly found in the manuscript writing from Chinese Turkestan. *Kha* here always has an upper hood. In no. 11 *jha* is the reverse of *ña* as seen before. This form of *jha* with a vertical on the right and a curved stroke on the left is the usual form in the manuscripts. Generally the right horizontal of *ṭa* is not shown. In no. 12 *ḍ'i* is drawn cursively in a single sweep of the hand, and *ṇa* has an insignificant tick in place of the head curve. In nos. 10 and 11 *da* is just a straight line with the characteristic bend at the lower end. *Ya* in nos. 11 and 12 has a flat top, and it is hard to distinguish it from *śa*. The left vertical of both *ya* and *śa* have the usual bend. *Sa* is drawn very cursively with the mouth of its head wide open. *Ra* in the conjuncts such as *rva*, *rya*, and *rtha*, is drawn with a loop at the junction of the vertical. Of all the new conjuncts the most remarkable are those with *ya* as the second element. It is of one type in no. 10, as in *sya* and *shya*, which have a curved stroke beginning with a loop and turning to the left, but in no. 12 the additional hooked stroke is turned to the right, as in *pya*, *sya*, *kya* and *lya*. (*d*) The last group of the Kushāṇa period includes those inscriptions which are dated in the series 303 to 399, beginning with the relic casket from Charsadda² of the year 303. As these inscriptions continue the style of the stone inscriptions of (*b*), they have not been represented in the chart. But their dates fall after the time of the Kanishka group of rulers. Here also we get the flat-topped *ya*, the open-mouthed *sa*, and the looped type of the medial *u*.