Page:The Origin of the Bengali Script.djvu/131

Rh (b) The Torpondighi grant shows an improvement, as the left limb is a curve to the left and not to the right when it touches the top stroke. ''Cf. Kṣettr-angha'' (L. 10-11).

(c) We find the development completed in the Bodh-Gayā image inscription of Aśokacalla, e.g., Rāghava (L. 7) Siṁghala (L. 9-10) and Saṁgha (L. 10).

(d) The development is also shown to be completed in the Gadādhara temple inscription at Gayā. ''Cf. lagh (v)ī (L. 8), Rāghavaḥ'' (L. 10).

(e) The Cambridge Manuscripts show the use of the transitional form, which is almost similar to the form used in the Kamauli grant.

5. Ṅa is very rare in use and its initial form cannot be found at all.

6. Ca is one of the letters the development of which was completed long after the Muhammadan conquest of the country.

(a) In the Māndā inscription Ca consists of a wedge as the top stroke, a vertical straight line at right angles to it and a curve to the left, semi-circular in shape, the ends of which touch the vertical line. This is in fact a modification of the Ca of the Deopārā ''praśasti. Cf. vīcī and viracita'' (L. 1).

(b) In the Kamauli grant the letter is almost similar where we find an angle in the curve.

(c) The form used in the Torpondighi grant is almost the same as that in the Dinājpur pillar inscription and the Deopārā praśasti; ''Cf. Cakra'' (L. 4).

(d) The form used in the Dacca inscription shows the next state of transition, where the letter consists of a top