Page:The Origin of the Bengali Script.djvu/134

98 (g) In the Bengali manuscript of the Bodhicaryāvatāra we find the Bengali form, the only difference being the shortness of the right limb. ''Cf. Kuje'' (L.3) of fol. 66.

The full development of this letter also was completed after the 15th century A.D.

(h) The completely developed form is to be found in the Kāmakhyā minor temple inscription of the Śaka 1666=1744 A.D. in L.4; in the word Kajjala.

9. Jha is to be found very seldom.

(a) In the Kamauli grant its form is very peculiar.

(b) The letter does not occur in the Cambridge Manuscripts.

10. Ña:—

(a) In the Māndā inscription this letter is used in ligatures where it has the peculiar form of initial E the loops on the right being absent. ''Cf. Kṛtajña'' (L.6).

(b) In the Kamauli grant we have the finished Bengali form in the ligature ñcai.

(c) The complete form is also to be found in the Bodh-Gayā inscription of Aśokacalla in jñāna (L.4).

(d) In the Gadādhara temple inscription at Gayā, the form of the ligature ñca is the same as that used in the modern Bengali alphabet. ''Cf. mulañca (L.8) and pañcakaṁ'' (L.14).

(e) In the Cambridge Manuscripts the form is entirely different, which may be due to western influence.

11. Ṭa:—

(a) In the Māndā inscription of this letter consists of a wedge as the top stroke and scythe-shaped curve below it. ''Cf. Kotīra'' (L.2).

(b) In the Kamauli grant Ṭa "seems to have been produced by an abnormally strong development of a