Page:The Origin of the Bengali Script.djvu/117

Rh 7. Cha also is complete. The depression of the circle has given the letter modern form and the opening of the curve to the right at the lower end would complete the development.

8. In Jha the upper part of the limb was eliminated later, forming the modern shape.

9. Ña occurs in ligatures only but it has the fully developed Bengali form. In fact the modern Bengali form, as has been already shown, developed much earlier.

10. Dha has the same form as that to be found in the Krishṇa-Dwārikā temple inscription.

11. Ta shows the fully developed form. The hook with the extended head, having become shortened, has the form of a knob. The only change in subsequent centuries was the upward elongation of the curve at the lower extremity of the letter.

12. In Tha we find a transitional form which had almost acquired completion. In subsequent centuries we find the elimination of the wedge at the lower extremity of the vertical line and the formation of an acute angle.

13. Pha has acquired the modern form about a century ago.

14. In Bha we find the almost completely developed form. The only change in subsequent centuries is a curvature of the solid wedge and an upward elongation of the lower extremity.

15. Ma shows the complete development.