Page:The Origin of the Bengali Script.djvu/122

88 2. Ā:—

(a) The straight line to the right of Ā, which denotes the length of the vowel, is joined to the main body of the letter by a short slanting straight line in the Kamauli grant.

(b) The wedge is present at the bottom of Ā in the Torpondighi grant, and the line joining the main letter to the right hand vertical is not slanting but vertical, in fact a prolongation of the top stroke. The line joining the top stroke to the curve seems to be suppressed. ''Cf. Āṅgirasa'' (L. 41).

(c) In the Bodh-Gayā image inscription of the 51st year of the era of Lakṣmaṇasena, the comma has become a semicirlar [sic] curve and the line joining the curve to the top stroke is present. The vertical line denoting the length is joined to the main body of the letter by producing the top stroke towards the right. ''Cf. Ā-caṁdrārkka'' (L. 9).

(d) In the Gadādhara temple inscription of the time of Govindapāla (?) we find that both the wedge and the joining line between curve and the top stroke, are present. ''Cf. Ācandrārka (L. 11) and Âśvina'' (L. 12).

(e) The form used in the Cambridge Manuscripts is exactly similar to (d).

3. I:—

(a) The peculiar form of the initial short I used in the Kamauli grant is certainly abnormal, as Dr. Bühler has already remarked:— "But the I and Ī of plate V, 3, 4, appear to be Southern forms; compare plate VII, 3, IV-VI."

(b) In the Torpondighi grant the short I consists of a top stroke with a wedge at its left end and a vertical straight line drawn downwards at right angles to it from