A STUDY OF NON-BRAHMI SYMBOLS CREATED FROM THE EARLY BRAHMI SCRIPT

Abstract

The earliest form of script recorded in the inscriptions in Sri Lanka is identified as the Early Brahmi script. This script is found in inscriptions from around the 3rd century BCE to the mid-1st century CE. In addition to the characters seen in these inscriptions, which are commonly associated with rock shelters, there are also unique symbols that do not correspond to known letters. A study of the Early Brahmi inscriptions has identified 43 such non-alphabetic symbols, which were published in Inscriptions of Ceylon (Paranavitana 1970). These symbols can be seen at the beginning or end of lines of text, above, within, or below the lines. These symbols can be considered as a precursor stage to the development of letters. Based on archaeological excavations associated with the Anuradhapura Gedige, the development of script in Sri Lanka can be divided into three stages: the symbol stage, the transitional stage, and the mature stage (Deraniyagala 1992). Even after the mature stage, the continued use of symbolic forms, as seen in the Early Brahmi inscriptions, clearly indicates that symbolic usage was not abandoned. Some of these symbols appear to have been formed based on actual letters. The aim of this research is to identify and provide information about certain non-Brahmi symbols that are created through letter combinations. The research methodology involved collecting data from both primary and secondary sources. Among these, a meticulous analysis of the cave inscriptions and corresponding estampages reproductions presented in the Inscriptions of Ceylon volume I revealed that certain symbols appear to have been created based on early Brahmi letters. Accordingly, findings were presented through an analytical study of early Brahmi letters and the associated symbols. Although written records began and developed with the introduction of letters, this research clarifies that symbols previously used for exchanging ideas continued to be employed even during the mature stage of the script. Furthermore, attention was given to the creation of certain symbols based on individual letters.