Author : Naren Ranadive
The history of writing in India goes back to the 3rd millennium BC as is evident from the seals and clay pottery fragments bearing short inscriptions discovered in various parts of India[1]. These seals and various artifacts are known to belong to the ancient civilization of Indus Valley; the mature phase of this civilization is recognized as Harappan Civilization, spanning period between c.3500 and 1700 BC. Unfortunately neither the language of Indus people is known nor the relationship of the Indus script to any other ancient scripts has yet been established.
(மேல் உள்ள கசெளி கல்வெட்டில் பிரம்மி எழுத்துக்கள் இருந்தாலும் ஓம் என்ற எழுத்து உருவை கவனியுங்கள்.
மேல் வரியில் உள்ளது பிரம்மி எழுத்து; கல்வெட்டில் உள்ளபடி இப்படிதான். அதன் கீழ் தற்கால தேவநகரி எழுத்து விளங்கிக் கொள்வதற்காக கொடுக்கப்பட்டு உள்ளது.)
Substantial changes in Brahmi character was taking place in central India during the 7
th century. Harshavardhana’s inscriptions (606 –647 A.D.) are in Siddhamatrika script, which is more akin to early Nagari than late Brahmi. Vardhanas of Thanesar were successful in eradicating the Huns who had penetrated in Madhya Pradesh by 6
th century. Their inscriptions ( Toramana’s Eran Boar inscription and Mihirkula’s Gwalior Inscription) are in Sanakrit written in Gupta-Brahmi. The territorial conquest of Rajyavardhan and later success of Harshavardhan against the
Saurashtra and Malwa kings in west and Shashank in east and with matrimonial connection with Maukhari’s of Kanouj ( Harsha’s sister Rajyashri married to Maukhari king) a large land mass of northern and central India came under his control. Now the capital was moved from Thanesar to Kanauj, which became administration as well as cultural center of Harsha’s Empire. The script in the empire was predominantly Siddhamatrika, although the south of Vindhya late Brahmi was in vogue. After the death of Harshsvardhan his empire disintegrated into many smaller kingdoms and Kanouj was repossessed by Maukharis. Here an example of Siddhamatrika is illustrated by first couplet from Nalanda stone inscription of Yashovarman. For complete inscription see Sircar’s selected inscriptions (28C.)
By the end of 12
th century, Devnagari script as we use presently was established. The first two lines from copperplate of Kasheli Grant of Shilahara King Bhoja II (1191 A.D.) are given below as an illustration. For further information see “Inscriptions of Shilahara” No.60 (34b).
அதிக விவரங்களுக்கு கீழுள்ள இணையதளத்தை பார்க்கவும்.
