Page:The Origin of the Bengali Script.djvu/109

Rh 2. The Bengali form of Kha in which the cursive left limb joins the right vertical at its lower end as well as at the top. Cf. the instances in L. 27.

3. The looped form of Gha. Cf. the instances in L. 26.

4. The widened form of Ca. Cf. Caraņa (L. 24).

5. The Bengali form of Ja in which the lower curved line is extended upwards and makes the development complete.

6. The older form of Ța in which the residue of the right vertical line still exists.

7. Țha shows a wedge-shaped vertical line for the first time. Cf. Píțh-opalaṁ, (L. 14).

8. Ṇa has the complete Proto-Bengali form.

9. In Ta the left end of the curve was already widening in the Dinājpur pillar inscription but in this record it does not show the change.

10. Tha does not show the opening of the upper loop. Cf. Pārthivendrān (L. 58).

11. Dha shows the prolongation of the vertical straight line. Cf. Sandadhānaḥ (L. 2).

12. Na shows the slanting cross-bar between the loop on the left and the right vertical line.

13. Bha yet shows the older form.

14. Ma shows the slanting of the lower horizontal line which joins the loop to the right vertical.

15. La shows the developed Nāgarī or Bengali form.

16. Ṡa shows the later form in all eases and we do not find the looped or any of the transitional forms.

17. We find the later form Ha in which there is a curved line below the lower (now the only) angle.

In the llth century A.D., we find a fresh development. In Eastern India the gulf between the alphabets used in the Eastern and Western parts have become wider and