THE EVOLUTION OF BRAHMI SCRIPT TO MODERN KANNADA

TAG: GS 1: ART AND CULTURE

THE CONTEXT: The Brahmi script, one of the oldest deciphered scripts in India, has a rich history that significantly influenced the development of modern Indian scripts, including Kannada.

EXPLANATION:

• An epigraphist and director at the India Study Centre (INSTUCEN) Trust, delves into fascinating evolution through an online course in association with INTACH Bengaluru.
• His insights shed light on how the ancient Brahmi script transformed over millennia into the modern Kannada script we recognize today.

Origins and Early Encounters with Brahmi

• The Brahmi script was first encountered in the 1990s through Ashokan inscriptions.
• The Brahmi script, known as the progenitor of all Indian scripts except Kharosthi, has a significant historical footprint, especially in South India.

Historical Context of Brahmi

• The Brahmi script’s earliest known inscriptions are from the edicts of Emperor Ashoka, who ruled most of the Indian subcontinent between 268 and 232 BCE.
• Ashoka’s inscriptions, which promote dhamma and document his governance, are considered the most reliably dated examples of Brahmi.
• These inscriptions have been found across various regions, including the Gangetic plains, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Sri Lanka, often on pottery shards.

Theories on the Origin of Brahmi

• The origins of the Brahmi script are still debated among scholars, with four main theories proposed:
  • Indus Valley Script Derivation:
    • Some believe Brahmi evolved from the undeciphered script of the Indus Valley Civilisation.
    • However, without deciphering the Indus script, this theory remains speculative.
  • Semitic Aramaic Influence:
    • Another theory suggests that Brahmi derived from the Semitic Aramaic script, which came from the Phoenician script.
    • The evidence is based on similarities in character shapes and sounds, but it remains weak due to the fundamental differences in writing systems.
  • Independent Invention:
    • Some scholars hypothesize that Brahmi was invented independently, possibly in the court of Ashoka.
  • Megalithic Graffiti Marks:
    • Another possibility is that Brahmi evolved from megalithic graffiti marks found in South India, but again, evidence is limited.

Brahmi as the Progenitor of Indian Scripts

• Despite the uncertainty surrounding its origins, Brahmi is acknowledged as the mother script of nearly all Indian scripts, including Kannada.
• The development of Kannada, both as a language and script, can be traced back through the evolution of Brahmi.

Evolution of Kannada Script

• Kannada, a Dravidian language of great antiquity, evolved through four stages: proto-Kannada, old Kannada, medieval Kannada, and modern Kannada.
• The script, evolving from old Brahmi, transitioned through Hale Kannada (old Kannada script) before becoming the modern Kannada script.
• The script evolution was influenced by the materials used for writing.
• In South India, palm leaves were commonly used, leading to more rounded and cursive scripts.
• In contrast, North Indian scripts, written on birch bark, remained more angular.

The Role of Cultural Transmission

• The absence of a printing press meant that scripts were transmitted from teacher to student over generations, leading to gradual changes.
• As handwriting evolved, so did the script.
• This explains why modern Kannada looks quite different from ancient Brahmi, despite being directly descended from it.
• Similar transformations occurred with other scripts like Devanagari, Punjabi, and Bengali.

Rediscovery and Deciphering of Brahmi

• Brahmi faded from use after Ashoka’s time and was forgotten until the 14th century when Sultan Firuz Shah Tughlaq encountered Ashokan pillars.
• Despite attempts, the script remained undeciphered until the 19th century when English scholar James Prinsep, using a gradual, cumulative approach, managed to decipher it.
• This breakthrough was not as dramatic as the deciphering of Egyptian hieroglyphs but was the result of extensive fieldwork and scholarly collaboration.

Importance of Preserving Scripts and Languages

• It is very crucial to preserve diverse languages and scripts for cultural and historical value.
• Understanding scripts like Brahmi can provide insights into language politics and the cultural heritage embedded in languages.
• The loss of a language often means the loss of unique local knowledge and perspectives.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/how-the-ancient-brahmi-script-became-modern-kannada-e-paper-lead/article68405490.ece