The Script of Harappa and Mohenjodaro and its Connection with Other Scripts c10.s14: Analysis of Table XV
The Script of Harappa and Mohenjodaro and its Connection with Other Scripts c10.s14
- Language
- English
Analysis of Table XV
c10.s14.1
All the signs in Col. IV are either variants or allied. This is indicated (a) by the shape (b) by the position, nearly always final, (c) by the sequences R𓀂 Nos. 3-6, 15, 37, 38; and R𓀆, Nos. 2, 28, 29, 43-48. These may be regarded as the key sequences of this Table. They will help us to decide whether the various signs in Col. IV are simple variants or allied only.
c10.s14.2
On morphographic grounds we may divide the signs in Col. IV into two groups; the first eight, ending with Text No. 20: and the last seven, Texts No. 22 to 52, 21 is of course indeterminate. Now it will be observed that while the sequence R𓀂 occurs five times in the first group, it occurs twice only with the second, and while the sequence R𓀆 occurs once only with the first group it occurs 8 times with the second. Again R𓀇 and R𓀈 occur twice, R𓀉 thrice with the second group and not at all with the first. Conversely R Y ♁ appears twice with the first group and not with the second. We may infer then that the two groups represent two sounds allied but not identical. It will be noticed that the respect in which they differ is the addition of short strokes. In view of what we have seen in the analysis of the previous Tables, we may be certain that this indicates a modification of the vowel of the syllable. The shape of the sign in No. 22 is peculiar. The vertical foundations or base for the horizontal strokes has been drawn, but the strokes themselves omitted. This is probably an error on the scribe's part or my own in copying.¹ The additional element may be compared with the same in the signs ♁ , ♁ . It probably indicates that the syllable is to be articulated with the vowel ū.
c10.s14.3
¹ It is to be regretted that in the case of the majority of the inscriptions I have had no opportunity of checking my autograph copies with photographs of seal impressions. I requested that such photographs might be supplied to me by the Archaeological Department of the Government of India, but up to the present they have not been received.