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ORIGIN OF THE BENGALI SCRIPT.

curvature of the right limb, which in this one turns to the right and not to the left.

(b) In the Kamauli grant the Proto-Bengali form is used but the knob is absent.[1]

(c) Torpondighi grant shows a further development, viz.,: the lengthening of the right curve.

(d) The same form is used in the Dacca image inscription.

(e) The Bodh-Gayā inscription of Aśokacalla shows the transitional form of the Kamauli grant.

(f) This is also the case of the Gadādhara temple inscription of Gayā.

(g) The final development is to be found in the Cambridge Manuscripts.[2]

17. Tha:—

(a) The Māndā inscription shows the use of the archaic form in which the upper loop has not as yet opened out. Cf. prathita (L. 4).

(b) The Kamauli grant shows the use of the modern Bengali form.[3]

(c) In the Torpondighi grant we find the transitional form. Cf. ithaṁ (L. 36).

(d) The fully developed modern Bengali form is to be found in the Bodh-Gayā inscription of Aśokacalla. Cf. Tathā (L. 1).

(e) The Cambridge Manuscripts also show the modern form.[4]


  1. Ibid, pl. V, XIX, 25.
  2. Ibid, pl. VI, X, 30.
  3. Ibid, pl. V, XIX, 26.
  4. Ibid, pl. VI, X, 31.