Kharosthi Script

5. 1 Do You Know

Description Image Source

Kharosthi was one of the major scripts of the north west from 3rd century BCE to 3rd century CE. It is first seen in the Major Rock Edicts of Asoka from Manshera and Shahbazgarhi in Pakistan. Shahbazgarhi Rock Edict of Asoka

Use of Kharosthi script in an inscription or coin establishes the connection of its issuer with the Northwest.

5. 2 Timeline

Timelines Image Description

Kharosthi script is first seen in the Rock 3rd century BCE Edicts of Asoka Kharosthi script was used extensively by the Indo-Greek, Scytho-Parthian rulers in their coins together with Greek script. This made it 2nd – 1st Century BCE easy to decipher the script by comparing it Coin of Eucratides with the Greek equivalent letters. with Greek and Kharosthi legends The Kushanas used Kharosthi script in their 1st – 3rd century CE inscriptions and coins. This marks the final development of the script.

5.3 Glossary

Staring Related Term Definition Character Term G Gandhari Prakrit The Prakrit dialect prevalent in and around

ancient Gandhara K Kharosthi A script used in the north west K Kharaosta A king known from the Mathura Lion Capital

inscription and some coins L Lalitavistara A text that contains a list of scripts including

Kharosthi, prevalent in India N Niya An archaeological site in the Tarim basin wherefrom administrative documents in Kharosthi have been found S Semitic scripts West Asiatic scripts, written from right to left.

Kharosthi originated from this family T Test letters of Dental and palatal sa, ya, da

Kharosthi script

5. 4 Web links

Web links https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kharosthi www.blackwellreference.com/public/tocnode?id=g9780631214816_chunk...ss1-15 indology.info/papers/salomon/

5. 5 Bibliography

Bibliography

Mukherjee, B.N., The Origin of the Brahmi and Kharosti Scripts, Calcutta, 2005

Konow,S., Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum, vol.II, part I, New Delhi, Reprint 1991

Dani, A.H., Indian Palaeography, London, 1963

Dasgupta, C.C., The Development of Kharosthi Script, Calcutta, 1958

Salomon, R., Indian Epigraphy, New York, 1998