India’s rich cultural heritage is not only reflected in its diverse traditions, but also in its multitude of scripts. These scripts have evolved over centuries, shaping the way languages are written and expressed in the subcontinent.
Various Scripts
1. Indus Script
The undeciphered script of the Indus Valley Civilization constitutes one of the oldest writings in the subcontinent. Although the majority of inscriptions are brief, it is unclear whether these symbols were used to record a language.
2. Brahmi Script
Brahmi is one of the oldest writing systems, dating back to the final centuries BCE and early centuries CE. It is believed to have evolved from the modern Semitic script or the Indus script. Brahmi is the ancestor of all surviving Indic scripts in Southeast Asia, characterized by writing from left to right with each unit based on a consonant. The best-known Brahmi inscriptions are the rock-cut edicts of Ashoka, dated 250–232 BC.
3. Kharosthi Script
The Kharosthi script, used from the 3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD, was primarily employed to write Gandhari Prakrit and Sanskrit in ancient Gandhara (present-day Afghanistan and Pakistan). It is closely related to Brahmi and includes numbers similar to Roman numerals.
4. Vatteluttu Script
Vatteluttu is a South Indian abugida writing system, one of the three main alphabets used to write the Granthi or Pallava alphabet and the Tamil script. It is derived from Tamil-Brahmi.
5. Kadamba Script
The Kadamba script marked the emergence of a dedicated Kannada script during the reign of the Kadamba dynasty in the 4th-6th centuries.This script later evolved into the Kannada-Telugu script.
6. Grantha Script
Between the 6th and 20th centuries, the Grantha script was used by Tamil speakers in South India to write Sanskrit and the classical language Manipravalam. It is still employed in traditional Vedic schools and is a Brahmic script that evolved from Tamil Nadu Brahmi.
7. Sarada Script
The Sarada or Sharada script is an abugida writing system that emerged around the 8th century and was used for writing Sanskrit and Kashmiri. It is rarely used today, except by the Kashmiri Pandit community for religious purposes.
8. Gurmukhi Script
Gurmukhi evolved from the Sarada script and was standardized by Guru Angad in the 16th century. It is primarily used to write the Guru Granth Sahib and is commonly used by Sikhs and Hindus to write Punjabi.
9. Devanagari Script
Devanagari is an alphabet used in India and Nepal, with a wide range of languages and dialects, including Hindi, Marathi, Nepali, Pali, Konkani, Bodo, Sindhi, and Maithili. It is one of the most widely used writing systems in the world and is known for its use in classical Sanskrit texts.
10. Modi Script
The Modi script was used to write Marathi and was the official Marathi script until the 20th century. It was also used for writing Urdu, Kannada, Gujarati, Hindi, and Tamil. The Modi script is an abugida.
11. Urdu Script
The Urdu alphabet is written from right to left and is a modification of the Persian alphabet, derived from Arabic script. It is associated with the Nastaliq style of Perso-Arabic script and is used for languages like Urdu, Punjabi, and Saraiki in the North Indian subcontinent.
These scripts showcase the remarkable linguistic diversity of India, with each one having a unique history, purpose, and influence on the region’s culture. From the ancient Indus script to the modern Devanagari, these scripts are a testament to India’s rich heritage of written expression. They continue to evolve and adapt in the era of globalization, while preserving their cultural and historical significance.
FAQs on Ancient Scripts of India
1. What are some of the prominent ancient scripts of India?
India has a rich heritage of scripts, with some of the prominent ones being Sanskrit, Brahmi, Devanagari, Tamil, and Kannada. These scripts have evolved over centuries and have been instrumental in recording and preserving various literary, religious, and historical texts.
2. How did the Brahmi script contribute to Indian writing systems?
Brahmi is considered the mother script of several Indian scripts. It originated in the 3rd century BCE and played a crucial role in the spread of Buddhism, as many early Buddhist texts were inscribed in Brahmi. Over time, Brahmi gave rise to various regional scripts, influencing the development of writing systems across the Indian subcontinent.
3. What is the significance of the Devanagari script?
Devanagari is an ancient script that has been used for writing Sanskrit, Hindi, Marathi, and several other Indian languages. Its name means “divine” or “of the gods,” and it has been employed to transcribe numerous religious and classical texts. Devanagari is notable for its distinctive characters and the way it organizes consonants and vowels.
4. How did ancient Indian scripts contribute to the preservation of religious texts?
Ancient Indian scripts played a pivotal role in preserving religious texts, such as the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and various Puranas. Scripts like Sanskrit and Devanagari were specifically designed for recording sacred knowledge, and scribes meticulously transcribed religious scriptures, ensuring their transmission through generations.
5. Are ancient Indian scripts still in use today?
Yes, many ancient Indian scripts are still in use today. Devanagari, for instance, is the script used for Sanskrit, Hindi, Marathi, and other languages. Tamil script is employed for the Tamil language, while scripts like Kannada and Telugu are used for Kannada and Telugu languages, respectively. Despite technological advancements, these scripts continue to be integral to the cultural and linguistic identity of the Indian subcontinent.
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