SOAS Research Online

Abstract

The present work comprises two parts : (l) Discussion, and (II) Illustration. Each part is bound separately. In part I, the evolution of script in north-eastern India from c. A.D. 400 to 1200 has been discussed in a chronological order, and with reference to the original sources, chiefly inscriptions and manuscripts. Attention has been mainly focussed on the source-materials from Bengal, Bihar and Assam, but those from Orissa and Nepal have also been generally consulted, particularly towards the later epochs discussed in this thesis. The Introduction has been largely devoted to discussions on the general aspects and problems of Indian palaeography, and the background of the present study. There are seven more chapters in Part I. These are : (I) The upright style in Bengal, c.400-600 A.D.; (II) the growth of acute angles and early phase of the Kutila, c. 600-800 A.D.; (III) Further development of the Kutila style c. 800-900 A.D.; (IV) Transition from the Kutila : varied expressions of the eastern style, c. 900-1000 A.D.; (V) Old forms and new styles, c. 1000- 1100 A.D.; (VI) The beginning of the formative stage of the Bengali-Assamese-Maithili script(s), c.1100-1200 A.D.; and (VII) Script in Assam, c.400-1200 A.D. Some of these chapters have been divided into two or more sections for proper treatment of the materials. In each section or chapter, the forms of the letters and signs have been generally examined in the following order : Initial vowels, Medial vowels, Single consonants, Conjuncts, and Orthographic signs. Problems of chronology and aspects of general style have been discussed in the beginning of each chapter/section. The Concluding Remarks is followed by two Appendices : (A) Punctuation and miscellaneous signs, and (B) Numerals. Then follow the Bibliography which also incorporates a List of Inscriptions and a List of Manuscripts, with due references. Part II contains illustrations - Palaeo- graphical Charts and Miscellaneous Plates - mostly produced mechanically from the facsimile of inscriptions and manuscripts.