A new type of “b” in the Magadhan Gupta alphabet
By Sushil K. Bose
Summary
A new type of "b" in the Magadhan Gupta alphabet is identified as a distinct letter, differing from the standard form by featuring a suppressed base stroke and a hook attached to the vertical stroke, sharply turned left. This variant appears exclusively in the Magadhan variety of the Gupta alphabet, often as a conjunct with other consonants, particularly with a medial vowel. Examples include its use in inscriptions like the Allahabad prasasti and the Gadhawa inscription of Candra Gupta. The letter does not occur independently or in Western variety alphabets, reinforcing its regional specificity. Its presence spreads to Bengal in later Gupta-era inscriptions, such as the Damodar-pur plates and Nandpur copper-plate. Scholars note its absence in pre-Gupta and post-Kusana inscriptions, suggesting it emerged as a local adaptation in Eastern India during the Gupta period. The letter's unique form and conjunct usage highlight the Magadhan alphabet's distinct characteristics, distinguishing it from other North Indian scripts.
Conclusion
This study identifies a previously undocumented type of the letter b in the Magadhan Gupta alphabet, distinguished by a unique structural form and conjunct usage patterns. The new b, featuring a vertical stroke with a curved horizontal stroke and a left-turned hook, appears exclusively in the Magadhan variety, serving as a potential diagnostic marker for this alphabet type. Its consistent appearance in conjuncts with other consonants, particularly in inscriptions like the Allahabad prasasti and the Meharault pillar inscription, underscores its regional specificity. The letter’s absence in Western Gupta records highlights its significance as a linguistic and epigraphic marker, offering new insights into the spatial and administrative distinctions between Gupta script varieties. This discovery refines understanding of Magadhan Gupta orthography and supports the broader reclassification of Eastern Gupta alphabets proposed in this research.