Brahmi Script
- 2. Meanings • Epigraphy – The study and interpretation of ancient inscriptions. – Specifically excluded from epigraphy are the historical significance of an epigraph as document and the artistic value of literary composition. • Palaeography – The study of ancient writing systems and the deciphering and dating of historical manuscripts. – It is concerned with the forms and processes of writing; not the textual content of documents.
- 3. Ancient Scripts • Mentions of Scripts – Pannavana Sutra – 18 – Lalitavistar Granth – 64 • Mention of word Brahmi • Bhagavati Sutra
- 4. Decipherment • Attempts in medieval period – Firozshah Tughlaq – Mughal Badshah Akbar • Attempts by British officers – Sir William Jones – James Prinsep
- 5. Opinions about Origin of Brahmi • From Semitic • From Phoenician and Egyptian • From Dravidian • From still pictures (sthir-chitra)
- 9. Features of Brahmi Script • Earlier 8 vowels, 32 consonants and 1 nasal sign - total 41 signs • Later addition of ऐ, औ and श, ष – total 45 signs • Separate signs for vowels and consonants • Different sign for vowel when it comes with consonant • Structure of joined letter – जोडाक्षर
- 10. Signs for vowel sounds
- 12. Joined Letter – जोडाक्षर
- 15. Origin and Descendants of Brahmi
- 16. 8 forms of letter ‘अ’ 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Editor's Notes
- #15: Panini Sutra – 8 ve shatak Sibilants - A consonant characterized by a hissing sound (like s or sh) Palatal - A semivowel produced with the tongue near the palate (like the initial sound in the English word 'yeast') cha chha ja jha Lingual - A consonant that is produced with the tongue and other speech organs t tha d dha
- #17: Buhler