Page:The Origin of the Bengali Script.djvu/115

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THE EASTERN ALPHABET.
81

We come to the Deopārā inscription of Vijayasena,[1] where we find the modern Bengali alphabet, with certain exceptions in which the development of the form is still incomplete:

1. I where we find that the two circles have become joined together and ellipsoid in form.[2]

2. U where the inward curvature of the vertical is still to be seen.[3]

3. Ka does not show the acute angle.[4]

4. Ga shows a right angle at the top formed by the top stroke and the right vertical straight line.[5]

5. Na shows the modern Bengali form in the ligature.[6]

6. Ca has the Nāgārī form, the hollow triangle at the lower extremity is still to the left.[7]

7. Ja shows the transitional form.

8. Ṭa shows the transitional form in which the top stroke and the straight left limb on the right, have combined to form a curve.[8]

9. Ḍa still shows the inward curvature of the vertical line as in U.

10. Ṇa shows the absence of the top stroke that its development is not yet complete.[9]

11. Da shows a curve at the back and is transitional in form.[10]


  1. Epi. Ind. Vol., I, p. 307.
  2. Bühler's Indian Palaeography, pi. V. XVIII. 3.
  3. Ibid, pl. V, XVIII, 5.
  4. Ibid, pl. V, XVIII, 10.
  5. Ibid, pl. V, XVIII, 12.
  6. Ibid, pl. V, XVIII, 14.
  7. Ibid, pl. V, XVIII, 15.
  8. Ibid, pl. V, XVIII, 20.
  9. Ibid, pl. V, XVIII, 24.
  10. Ibid, pl. V, XVIII, 27.