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.
- Indus Valley Script Derivation:
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.
