Specifications and Letter Characteristics of Post-Brahmin Epigraphs.

Abstract

Epigraphs between the first and the fourth centuraies are known as post-Brahmin epigraphs. This study investigates the specifications of post-Brahmin epigraphs and characteristics of letter formations. Proportional formation of letters in a row and taking a curved shape by avoiding the angular shape are the core characteristics of the post-Brahmin letters. Some letters in pre-Brahmin epigraphs are absent in post-Brahmin epigraphs while post-Brahmin epigraphs contained new Brahmin letters, which were absent during the pre-Brahmin era. These epigraphs contained a slight amount of cursive letters. Words like “Si”, “Siddha” and “Sidhdham” are common in these epigraphs. The main objective of this study is to indicate that there are differences between the letters and characteristics of pre and post Brahmin epigraphs. This study investigates the evolution of the post-Brahmin letters and the content of the epigraphs between the first and the fourth centuraies. In this study, the methods of felid study and non-field study were used as the methodology. In order to collect data, both primary and secondary data resources were used. Primary sources of data in this study were interviews, observations and authentic photographs while secondary sources included information received from the institutes, library resources, and internet was used to collect theoretical and empirical data. This study contains information about the evolution of post-Brahmin letters, the difference between post- Brahmin letters and pre-Brahmin letters and the differences of the content. .In conclusion, the post Brahmin epigraphs which belong to the first and the fourth centuraies provide a better opportunity in understanding the historical background of Sri Lanka .Through this study, one can understand the evolution of epigraphs from pre-Brahmin era to post-Brahmin era and their specific characteristics.