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The Development of Kharosthi Script (Review)

By Nalinaksha Dutt

Vol. 34 · No. 3 and 4Sept & Dec 1958pp. 290–291English

Summary

This review summarises Dr C.C. Das Gupta’s study of the development of the Kharoṣṭhī script. The book traces variations in the script from the 3rd century B.C. to the 3rd century A.D., showing how the form of letters changed over time and across regions. It also provides a political history of the period, linking script changes to the reigns of specific Indo‑Greek and Indo‑Scythian rulers. The reviewer notes that the work includes appendices containing a list of known rulers and genealogies, as well as numerous plates and charts illustrating letter forms. He praises the author’s critical analysis of palaeographic evidence and his efforts to date inscriptions. The review concludes that the book is an important contribution to Indian epigraphy and will be indispensable for scholars studying early scripts.

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Conclusion

The reviewer commends Das Gupta’s comprehensive study of the Kharoṣṭhī script, noting its careful analysis of palaeographic data and its useful appendices. The work is viewed as a valuable reference for epigraphists and historians and is expected to remain a standard on the subject.

Key passages

Chosen by AI from the article's text. Each one is checked word for word against the text before it is shown.

  • “The main aim of the author of the book is to point out घाट variations that occurred in the Kharosthi script found in the documents discovered in India, Chinese Turkestan and elsewhere in घाट different periods from the 3rd century B.C. to about उदय century A.D.”
  • “All the Kharosthi documents discoversd 50 far have ત great importance for a history of the spread of Indian culture 10 Central Asia and Eastern Turkestan.”
  • “Very distinguished scholars like Sten Konow, Bailey and Burrow have devoted much of their studies to the language and contents of the documents.”

Works cited in this article

  1. The Development of Kharosthi Script by Dr. C. C. Das Guapta, Ph. D., (Cantab) published by K. L. Mukhopadhyay, Calcutta
  2. STUDIES IN INDIAN HISTORY AND CULTURE by U. N. Ghoshal M.A., Ph.D. Published Longmans, Calcutta 1957
  3. Bana’s Harsa-carita
  4. Kalhana’s Raja-tarangini

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Vol. 34 · No. 3 and 4

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