Indian Palaeography c3.2

c3.2

1. The first important issue is about the origin of the Indian alphabet. Brāhmī certainly has the precedence. My new study on *Taxila* has convinced me that Brāhmī was not a stranger in this part. Right from the time it appeared on the local coins in the second century B.C., it continued to be used though occasionally. Kharoshṭhī was evolved for foreigner's use on Indian phonetic system, the roots of which lay in Brāhmī. There is a need to build a complete history of the evolution of Indian phonetic system based on earlier grammarians. If this system is properly understood, the special character of the Brāhmī alphabet, particularly its vowel system, will be clear. The vowel sounds have special role to play even in Vedic recital. How did they systematise that sound system? I have not been able to work out the detail. I am convinced that the system is different from Semitic. Hence for the origin of Brāhmī we should look elsewhere.