Bharatiya Puralipi Shastra

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "भारतीय पुरालिपि-शास्त्र" (Bhartiya Puralipi Shastra), based on the provided pages. This book is the Hindi translation of Georg Bühler's "Indische Palaeographie," translated by Mangalnath Sinh and reviewed by Jeevan Nayak, published by Motilal Banarasidas.

Core Subject:

The book is a scholarly treatise on Indian Palaeography, focusing on the study of ancient scripts of India. It aims to provide a detailed historical and linguistic analysis of the evolution of Indian writing systems.

Key Themes and Content:

• Importance of Palaeography: The introduction (Page #7) emphasizes the critical role of palaeography in understanding ancient Indian history. It explains that while some ancient inscriptions are dated, most are not, and their accurate dating and interpretation depend heavily on palaeographical analysis.
• Origin of Writing in India: The book delves into the debate among scholars regarding the origin of writing in India. It notes that the oldest legible inscription dates back to the 6th century BCE. It also explores various traditional beliefs, including the attribution of writing to Brahma, as mentioned in ancient Indian texts and even in Chinese Buddhist scriptures. Another account from Al-Biruni suggests that knowledge of writing was lost and rediscovered by Vyasa.
• Evolution of Brahmi and Kharosthi Scripts: A significant portion of the book is dedicated to the detailed study and historical development of the two most important ancient Indian scripts:
  • Brahmi: The book traces the origin of Brahmi, discussing the theories of its adoption from Semitic alphabets (Northern and Southern Semitic) and its transformation into an Indian script. It examines the modifications made to Semitic characters to suit Sanskrit phonetics and the development of vowel signs and conjunct consonants. The text meticulously analyzes the evolution of Brahmi through various stages, distinguishing between Northern and Southern Brahmi styles, and providing evidence from inscriptions and coins.
  • Kharosthi: The book details the history of deciphering Kharosthi, acknowledging the significant contributions of European scholars. It discusses the script's usage, characteristics, origin theories (linking it to Aramaic scripts adopted during the Achaemenid rule in the northwest), and its evolution over time. The text highlights the script's prevalence in northwestern India from the 4th century BCE to the 3rd century CE.
• Classification of Ancient Indian Scripts: The book provides a systematic classification of ancient Indian scripts, dividing them chronologically and geographically. It covers:
  • Early Brahmi and Dravidi: Discussing the early forms found in inscriptions and manuscripts.
  • Old Maurya Script: Analyzing the script used during the Maurya period, noting regional variations between North and South.
  • Scripts of the Satavahana Period: Examining the scripts from the Deccan region, including Bhattiprolu Dravidi.
  • Northern and Southern Styles: Tracing the development of scripts based on geographical influence, distinguishing between Northern styles (like those of the Northern Kshatrapas and Kushanas) and Southern styles (found in Western Deccan, Konkan, and Kalinga).
  • Scripts from around 350 CE: Detailing the scripts of the Gupta period and the emergence of proto-Nagari and proto-Sharda scripts.
  • Southern Scripts: Covering the evolution of scripts in South India, including Telugu-Kannada, Kalinga, Grantham, Tamil, and Vatteluttu scripts.
• Numerals: The book dedicates a section to the evolution of Indian numeral systems, explaining the use of both early Brahmi numeral symbols and the decimal system. It also discusses the use of alphabetic numerals (word numerals).
• External Features of Inscriptions and Manuscripts: This section covers aspects like the arrangement of lines, word grouping, punctuation, decorative elements, writing materials, corrections, omissions, abbreviations, pagination, seals, and scribes.
• Writing Materials: A detailed account of various writing materials used in ancient India is provided, including birch bark (Bhojpatra), cloth, wooden tablets, leaves, animal skins, metals, stones, bricks, paper, ink, and writing instruments like quills and pencils.
• Manuscript Preservation and Treatment: The book touches upon methods of preserving manuscripts and copper plate inscriptions, as well as treating damaged documents.
• Scribes and Engravers: It discusses the roles of writers, engravers, and stone sculptors in the creation of ancient texts and inscriptions.

Methodology and Approach:

• Scholarly Rigor: The book is characterized by its meticulous research, drawing upon a vast array of archaeological evidence (inscriptions, coins, seals), literary sources (Vedic texts, Buddhist literature, Dharmaśāstras, epics), and comparative analysis of scripts.
• Historical Context: It places the development of each script within its historical context, linking script evolution to political events, cultural influences (e.g., Semitic, Greek, Iranian), and the patronage of rulers.
• Detailed Analysis of Scripts: The text provides detailed descriptions of individual characters, their variations, and their etymological origins, often supported by plates and comparative tables.
• Translational Aspect: The Hindi translation by Mangalnath Sinh is noted as being done under the auspices of the Central Hindi Directorate, Ministry of Education, indicating an effort to make this seminal work accessible to Hindi readers.

Overall Significance:

"Bhartiya Puralipi Shastra" is a foundational work in the field of Indian palaeography. It offers an unparalleled depth of information on the history, evolution, and interrelationships of ancient Indian scripts. It is an indispensable resource for historians, epigraphists, linguists, and anyone interested in the material culture and intellectual history of ancient India. The book's comprehensive nature, meticulous detail, and reliance on primary sources make it a definitive reference.