Difference between revisions of "Gupta script"
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| − | The [[Gupta script]] (sometimes referred to as [[Gupta Brahmi Script]] or [[Late Brahmi Script]]<ref>{{Nolinking|Sharma, Ram. 'Brahmi Script' . Delhi: BR Publishing Corp, 2002}}</ref> ) was used for [[writing]] [[Sanskrit]] and is associated with the {{Wiki|Gupta Empire}} of [[India]] which was a period of material [[prosperity]] and great [[religious]] and [[scientific]] developments. The Gupta script was descended from [[Brahmi]] and gave rise to the Nagari, [[Sharada]] and | + | The [[Gupta script]] (sometimes referred to as [[Gupta Brahmi Script]] or [[Late Brahmi Script]]<ref>{{Nolinking|Sharma, Ram. 'Brahmi Script' . Delhi: BR Publishing Corp, 2002}}</ref> ) was used for [[writing]] [[Sanskrit]] and is associated with the {{Wiki|Gupta Empire}} of [[India]] which was a period of material [[prosperity]] and great [[religious]] and [[scientific]] developments. The Gupta script was descended from [[Brahmi]] and gave rise to the {{Wiki|Nagari}}, [[Wikipedia:Śāradā script|Sharada]] and {{Wiki|Siddham}} scripts. These scripts in turn gave rise to many of the most important scripts of [[India]], including {{Wiki|Devanagari}} (the most common script used for [[writing]] [[Sanskrit]] since the 19th century), the {{Wiki|Gurmukhi script}} for {{Wiki|Punjabi Language}}, the {{Wiki|Bengali script}}, and the [[Wikipedia:Tibetan alphabet|Tibetan script]]. |
==Origins and {{Wiki|Classification}}== | ==Origins and {{Wiki|Classification}}== | ||
[[Image:brahmi.png|thumb|right|250px|Brahmi and its descendent scripts.]] | [[Image:brahmi.png|thumb|right|250px|Brahmi and its descendent scripts.]] | ||
| − | The Gupta Script was descended from the [[Ashokan]] | + | The Gupta Script was descended from the [[Ashokan]] {{Wiki|Brahmi script}}, and is a crucial link between Brahmi and most other scripts in the {{Wiki|Brahmic family}} of Scripts, a family of alphasyllabaries or abugidas. This means that while only consonantal phonemes have {{Wiki|distinct}} [[symbols]], {{Wiki|vowels}} are marked by diacritics, with /a/ being the implied pronunciation when the {{Wiki|diacritic}} is not {{Wiki|present}}. In fact, the Gupta script works in exactly the same [[manner]] as its predecessor and successors, and only the shapes and [[forms]] of the graphemes and diacritics are different. |
Through the 4th century, letters began to take more cursive and symmetric [[forms]], as a result of the [[desire]] to write more quickly and aesthetically. This also meant that the script became more differentiated throughout the [[Empire]], with regional variations which have been broadly classified into three, four or five categories;<ref name="Srivastava,Anupama">{{Nolinking|Srivastava, Anupama. 'The Development of Imperial Gupta Brahmi Script' . New Delhi: Ramanand, 1998}}</ref><ref>{{Nolinking|Fischer, Steven Roger. 'A History of Writing' . UK: Reaktion, 2004}}</ref> however, a definitive {{Wiki|classification}} is not clear, because even on a single inscription, there may be variation in how a particular [[symbol]] is written. In this [[sense]], the term Gupta script should be taken to mean any [[form]] of [[writing]] derived from the Gupta period, even though there may be a lack of uniformity in the scripts. | Through the 4th century, letters began to take more cursive and symmetric [[forms]], as a result of the [[desire]] to write more quickly and aesthetically. This also meant that the script became more differentiated throughout the [[Empire]], with regional variations which have been broadly classified into three, four or five categories;<ref name="Srivastava,Anupama">{{Nolinking|Srivastava, Anupama. 'The Development of Imperial Gupta Brahmi Script' . New Delhi: Ramanand, 1998}}</ref><ref>{{Nolinking|Fischer, Steven Roger. 'A History of Writing' . UK: Reaktion, 2004}}</ref> however, a definitive {{Wiki|classification}} is not clear, because even on a single inscription, there may be variation in how a particular [[symbol]] is written. In this [[sense]], the term Gupta script should be taken to mean any [[form]] of [[writing]] derived from the Gupta period, even though there may be a lack of uniformity in the scripts. | ||
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==Inscriptions== | ==Inscriptions== | ||
| − | The surviving {{Wiki|inscriptions}} of the Gupta script are mostly found on {{Wiki|iron}} or stone pillars, and on {{Wiki|gold}} coins from the {{Wiki|Gupta Dynasty}}. One of the most important was the Allahabad Prasasti. Composed by Harishena, the court poet and [[minister]] of Samudragupta, it describes | + | The surviving {{Wiki|inscriptions}} of the [[Gupta script]] are mostly found on {{Wiki|iron}} or stone pillars, and on {{Wiki|gold}} coins from the {{Wiki|Gupta Dynasty}}. One of the most important was the Allahabad Prasasti. Composed by {{Wiki|Harishena}}, the court poet and [[minister]] of {{Wiki|Samudragupta}}, it describes {{Wiki|Samudragupta}}’s reign, beginning from his ascension to the [[throne]] as the second [[king]] of the {{Wiki|Gupta Dynasty}} and including his conquest of other [[kings]]. |
==[[Alphabet]]== | ==[[Alphabet]]== | ||
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==Gupta Numismatics== | ==Gupta Numismatics== | ||
| − | The study of Gupta coins began with the discovery of a hoard of {{Wiki|gold}} | + | The study of Gupta coins began with the discovery of a hoard of {{Wiki|gold coins}} in 1783. Many other such hoards have since been discovered, the most important being the {{Wiki|Bayana}} ( situated in [[Wikipedia:Bharatpur, Rajasthan|Bharatpur]] district of {{Wiki|Rajasthan}}) hoard, discovered in 1946, which contained more than 2000 {{Wiki|gold}} coins issued by the Gupta [[Kings]].<ref>{{Nolinking|Bajpai, KD. 'Indian Numismatic Studies. ' New Delhi: Abhinav Publications 2004}}</ref> Many of the Gupta Empire’s coins bear {{Wiki|inscriptions}} of {{Wiki|legends}} or mark historic events. In fact, it was one of the first [[Indian]] Empires to do so, probably as a result of its unprecedented [[prosperity]].<ref name="Srivastava,Anupama" /> Almost every Gupta [[king]] issued coins, beginning with its first [[king]], {{Wiki|Chandragupta I}}. |
The scripts on the coin are also of a different [[nature]] compared to scripts on pillars, due to conservatism regarding the coins that were to be accepted as currency, which would have prevented regional variations in the script from [[manifesting]] on the coinage.<ref name="Srivastava,Anupama" /> Moreover, [[space]] was more limited especially on their {{Wiki|silver}} coins, and thus many of the [[symbols]] are truncated or stunted. An example is the [[symbol]] for /ta/ and /na/, which were often simplified to vertical strokes. | The scripts on the coin are also of a different [[nature]] compared to scripts on pillars, due to conservatism regarding the coins that were to be accepted as currency, which would have prevented regional variations in the script from [[manifesting]] on the coinage.<ref name="Srivastava,Anupama" /> Moreover, [[space]] was more limited especially on their {{Wiki|silver}} coins, and thus many of the [[symbols]] are truncated or stunted. An example is the [[symbol]] for /ta/ and /na/, which were often simplified to vertical strokes. | ||
Revision as of 21:38, 15 April 2014
The Gupta script (sometimes referred to as Gupta Brahmi Script or Late Brahmi Script[1] ) was used for writing Sanskrit and is associated with the Gupta Empire of India which was a period of material prosperity and great religious and scientific developments. The Gupta script was descended from Brahmi and gave rise to the Nagari, Sharada and Siddham scripts. These scripts in turn gave rise to many of the most important scripts of India, including Devanagari (the most common script used for writing Sanskrit since the 19th century), the Gurmukhi script for Punjabi Language, the Bengali script, and the Tibetan script.
Origins and Classification
The Gupta Script was descended from the Ashokan Brahmi script, and is a crucial link between Brahmi and most other scripts in the Brahmic family of Scripts, a family of alphasyllabaries or abugidas. This means that while only consonantal phonemes have distinct symbols, vowels are marked by diacritics, with /a/ being the implied pronunciation when the diacritic is not present. In fact, the Gupta script works in exactly the same manner as its predecessor and successors, and only the shapes and forms of the graphemes and diacritics are different.
Through the 4th century, letters began to take more cursive and symmetric forms, as a result of the desire to write more quickly and aesthetically. This also meant that the script became more differentiated throughout the Empire, with regional variations which have been broadly classified into three, four or five categories;[2][3] however, a definitive classification is not clear, because even on a single inscription, there may be variation in how a particular symbol is written. In this sense, the term Gupta script should be taken to mean any form of writing derived from the Gupta period, even though there may be a lack of uniformity in the scripts.
Inscriptions
The surviving inscriptions of the Gupta script are mostly found on iron or stone pillars, and on gold coins from the Gupta Dynasty. One of the most important was the Allahabad Prasasti. Composed by Harishena, the court poet and minister of Samudragupta, it describes Samudragupta’s reign, beginning from his ascension to the throne as the second king of the Gupta Dynasty and including his conquest of other kings.
Alphabet
 a |
 i |
 u |
 ṛ |
 e |
 o
|
 ā |
 au
|
 k |
 kh |
 g |
 gh |
 ṅ
|
 c |
 ch |
 j |
 jh |
 ñ
|
 ṭ |
 ṭh |
 ḍ |
 ḍh |
 ṇ
|
 t |
 th |
 d |
 dh |
 n
|
 p |
 ph |
 b |
 bh |
 m
|
 y |
 r |
 l |
 v |
|
 ś |
 ṣ |
 s |
 h |
Gupta Numismatics
The study of Gupta coins began with the discovery of a hoard of gold coins in 1783. Many other such hoards have since been discovered, the most important being the Bayana ( situated in Bharatpur district of Rajasthan) hoard, discovered in 1946, which contained more than 2000 gold coins issued by the Gupta Kings.[4] Many of the Gupta Empire’s coins bear inscriptions of legends or mark historic events. In fact, it was one of the first Indian Empires to do so, probably as a result of its unprecedented prosperity.[2] Almost every Gupta king issued coins, beginning with its first king, Chandragupta I.
The scripts on the coin are also of a different nature compared to scripts on pillars, due to conservatism regarding the coins that were to be accepted as currency, which would have prevented regional variations in the script from manifesting on the coinage.[2] Moreover, space was more limited especially on their silver coins, and thus many of the symbols are truncated or stunted. An example is the symbol for /ta/ and /na/, which were often simplified to vertical strokes.
Footnotes
- ↑ Sharma, Ram. 'Brahmi Script' . Delhi: BR Publishing Corp, 2002
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Srivastava, Anupama. 'The Development of Imperial Gupta Brahmi Script' . New Delhi: Ramanand, 1998
- ↑ Fischer, Steven Roger. 'A History of Writing' . UK: Reaktion, 2004
- ↑ Bajpai, KD. 'Indian Numismatic Studies. ' New Delhi: Abhinav Publications 2004
- Carl Faulmann (1835–1894), Das Buch der Schrift, Druck und Verlag der Kaiserlichen Hof-und Staatsdruckerei, 1880
External links
- (Spanish) The Gupta Alphabet
- AncientScripts.com entry on the Gupta Script
- The Shivlee Collection of Coins from the Gupta Dynasty In particular, note the limited space on the silver coins
- An eastern variety of the post-Gupta script: Akṣara List of theManuscripts of the Mūlamadhyamakakārikā and Buddhapālita's Commentary, c. the 550-650, Collection of Sanskrit Mss. Formerly Preserved in the China Ethnic Library
