Brahmi Script: India’s First Alphabetic Writing System
Article By – Jasmine Kaur
Within the diverse cultural and linguistic heritage of the Indian subcontinent, the Brahmi script holds a position of paramount significance. It is a remarkable invention of the ancient Indians ;regarded as “Brahmi” due to its perfection and antiquity, possibly named after the creator Brahma himself. The script was used by learned Brahmins and is hence termed as the Brahmi script.Brahmi, which emerged in the third century BCE, served as the foundational script for numerous Indian languages. It played a crucial role in shaping literary, religious, and administrative records (Daniels, 2019).The Brahmi script, characterized by its elegant and systematic arrangement of characters, exhibited remarkable versatility, adapting seamlessly to a wide range of regional languages. This ancient writing system not only facilitated communication but also became a vital medium for conveying knowledge. The Brahmi script is the only authentic ancient Indian script that has been found so far.Evidence suggests that the Brahmi script was used in India from the mid-fifth century BCE to the early fourth century CE. Nearly all Indian scripts, both ancient and modern, trace their origins back to Brahmi. Additionally, it is documented that Brahmi writing was prevalent during the reigns of the ancient Lichchavivansa, Nandavansa, Mauryavansa, Chetavansa, and Shungamitravansa dynasties (Bhowmik, 1992).
The Origin of the Brahmi Script-
The concept surrounding the first Brahmi script’s emergence, however, is still being investigated. The majority of what has been revealed is speculation.Despite extensive research, scholars have been unable to reach a consensus on the origins of the Brahmi script.While the development of all Indic scripts and many other Asian scripts from Brahmi is well understood, the origins of the Brahmi script itself remain highly debated. Scholars are divided into two main perspectives: one group supports a foreign, specifically Semitic, origin, while the other argues for an indigenous Indian origin—either as an independent creation or as a derivative of the Indus script. Additionally, some suggest that the geometric shapes of early Brahmi may have been influenced by the geometric tradition found in the Śulba literature.Lallanji Gopal proposes that Brahmi may have originated within Buddhist or Jaina circles, a theory that R. Nagaswamy also explores while discussing the northern influences on the early Tamil script.
Mauryalipi
The earliest forms of this script can be traced to Ashokalipi or Mauryalipi. The Brahmi script was extensively used during Ashoka’s reign as the Mauryan Emperor. Two Brahmilipi namely Piprabara and Bali, discovered prior to Ashoka, provide evidence that Ashokalipi is a later stage of Brahmilipi, or that Brahmilipi served as the origin of Ashokalipi.
There are several regional variations and hastily written texts that indicate the script had a long history during Ashoka’s reign, reflecting that the Indian alphabet was undergoing a period of transition (Buhler, 1904). Additionally, the Piprabar script, the earliest form of Brahmi writing, predates the Ashoka script. From around 350 BCE to approximately 100 BCE, the Brahmi script remained largely unchanged and was known as Ashokalipi or Mauryalipi. Two distinct varieties of Ashokalipi are found in India. In one type, the writing was done from left to right, while in the other, it was written from right to left. So far, 26 different scripts from this period (350–100 BCE) have been discovered.
Understanding the origin of Brahmi Script through pictorial connections
The Evolutionary Diversity of the Brahmi Script-
Archaeological findings, including inscriptions like Ashoka’s edicts written in various languages, demonstrate that Brahmi underwent significant development over time.
Variations in characters across inscriptions in different linguistic contexts, such as Prakrit and Sanskrit, highlight the script’s adaptability. Furthermore, the emergence of derivative scripts like Kharosthi and Gupta underscores Brahmi’s evolutionary diversity. These findings not only emphasize the script’s importance in reflecting linguistic diversity and cultural advancement in ancient Indian civilizations but also provide evidence of its dynamic historical evolution.The consistent discoveries of Brahmi across various regions and time periods via several evidences, inscriptions, pillars, rock surfaces and manuscripts affirm its pivotal role in shaping written communication and cultural expression in ancient India.
Southern and Northern Brahmi
Ashokan inscriptions, found across India, display regional variations. The Bhattiprolu alphabet, dating from a few decades after Ashoka’s reign, is believed to have evolved from a southern variant of Brahmi. These inscriptions, mostly found on Buddhist relics, are primarily in Prakrit, though some Kannada and Telugu names appear. Twenty-three letters have been identified, with certain characters resembling Mauryan Brahmi and others resembling modern Kannada and Telugu scripts. Tamil-Brahmi, a variant of Brahmi, was used in South India, particularly in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, by around the 3rd century BCE, and also in Sri Lanka.Southern Brahmi led to the development of the Grantha alphabet (6th century) and the Vatteluttu alphabet (8th century).
Northern Brahmi evolved into the Gupta script during the Gupta Empire, often referred to as “Late Brahmi” (used in the 5th century). This script later diversified into several cursive forms during the Middle Ages, including the Siddhaṃ script (6th century) and the Śāradā script (9th century).The Brahmi script also gave rise to the Nagari script, which later developed into both Devanagari and Nandinagari. These scripts were initially used to write Sanskrit, with Nandinagari eventually merging into Devanagari. The resulting Devanagari script became widely adopted across India for writing Sanskrit, as well as languages like Marathi, Hindi, its dialects, and Konkani.
Brahmi Script and the world
In Sri Lanka, many early Brahmi inscriptions are found above caves, with some Tamil-Brahmi examples like the Annaicoddai seal. The earliest widely accepted Brahmi examples are from Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.The Khuan Luk Pat inscription in Thailand is written in Tamil Brahmi script, with its date uncertain, though the first century CE is a proposed estimate. The Tamil Brahmi inscriptions on potsherds have been discovered in Quseir al-Qadim and Berenike, Egypt, indicating active trade between India and the Red Sea region in ancient times. Additional Tamil Brahmi inscriptions have also been found in a storage jar at an archaeological site in the Khor Rori region of Oman.Additionally, through the spread of Hinduism to Southeast Asia in the early centuries CE, the Brahmi script gave rise to several regional scripts, including Baybayin in the Philippines, the Javanese script in Indonesia, the Khmer alphabet in Cambodia, and the Old Mon script in Burma.The arrangement of Brahmi was adopted as the foundation for the modern order of Japanese kana, although the individual characters of kana are not directly derived from Brahmi. This means that while the sequence of characters in Japanese kana follows a pattern inspired by the order of the Brahmi script, the actual symbols and their structure in kana are distinct and unrelated to the original Brahmi characters.
These adaptations reflect how different cultures have borrowed and modified elements from other scripts, leading to the development of unique writing systems suited to their own languages and needs.
Brahmi Inscriptions in India-
- The Iron Pillar in the Qutub Minar Complex carries an inscription in Sanskrit, written in Brahmi script, dating back to the 4th century A.D. The inscription states that the pillar was erected as a Vishnudhvaja (the standard of the god Vishnu) on the hill known as Vishnupada to honor the memory of a powerful king named Chandra.
The Brahmi Inscription on the Iron Pillar
- The Heliodorus Pillar, also known as the Khamba Baba, stands 15 meters tall and is over 2000 years old. It is named after Heliodorus, an ancient Greek ambassador who served in the court of King Bhagabhadra. The pillar features inscriptions written in Brahmi script but is written in Prakrit. The inscription describes the dedication of the pillar to Lord Vasudeva. Heliodorus, a Greek by origin, had adopted Hindu beliefs. The Heliodorus Pillar also highlights a significant aspect of ancient Indian society—religious tolerance and coexistence. The inscription emphasizes the freedom of worship and the acceptance of diverse faiths and beliefs.
- The Hathibada Ghosundi Inscriptions, discovered in three fragments near Nagari Village in Rajasthan, date back to around 100 BCE. Written in Sanskrit using the Brahmi script, the inscriptions describe King Sarvatta’s construction of a wall around a stone object of worship dedicated to deities Samkarshana and Vasudeva. The king is also noted for performing the Vedic Ashvamedha sacrifice.
Hathbada inscription recorded the Sankarshana-Vasudeva worship dated to c.1st cent BCE.
Source–https://kvramakrishnarao.wordpress.com/category/ghosundi-and-hathhibada-inscription/
- Ashoka’s Rock Edicts, located on the route to Mount Girnar, are inscribed on a large boulder housed in a small roadside building. These edicts, dating to 250 BCE, feature the fourteen Edicts of Emperor Ashoka, written in Brahmi script and Pali language. Additionally, inscriptions in Sanskrit are also found on the same rock. The edicts include moral teachings, with Ashoka emphasizing his role as the “Beloved of the Gods,” expressing his care and concern for all his subjects. This boulder marks the beginning of the stone-recorded history of Junagadh.
- The Maski Ashoka Inscription is a well-preserved example of Ashoka’s Rock Edicts, consisting of seven lines carved into the rock surface. Written in Prakrit language and Brahmi script, it highlights the emperor’s commitment to non-violence and the welfare of his subjects. In the inscription, Ashoka expresses his dedication to ensuring the happiness of all living beings, including both people and animals.
- The Brahmi text inscribed along the stoned floor periphery of the Great Stupa provides valuable insight into the religious and cultural practices of the time. This inscription, written in Brahmi script, is significant for its historical and linguistic value.
Brahmi Script inscribed along the stoned periphery of the Great Stupa
Source– The Urban Anecdotes
The word Brahmi in Brahmi font
Source – Wikipedia
Conclusion
The Brahmi Script played a crucial role in recording literary works, administrative records, and religious texts, significantly contributing to the preservation of cultural heritage. Brahmi likely originated from a definite earlier source,was probably safeguarded by the priestly class as a sacred and secret script, aligning with the Sanskritic varnamala.
Numerous efforts have been undertaken to preserve and safeguard the knowledge system of the Brahmi script through methods such as systematic excavation, detailed documentation, advanced preservation techniques, and the digital recording of inscriptions to enhance study and accessibility. Modern Western technology has become the preferred approach for preserving ancient texts. Additionally, raising public awareness about the significance of the Brahmi script remains crucial. The Brahmi script carefully registers the evolution of Indian culture , intellectual heritage and linguistic diversity over centuries.
Source–http://www.acharya.gen.in:8080/cgi-bin/script_disp.pl?brahmi
Use the Brahmi Script given in the picture and try rewriting your name. You will be amazed to see how different your name looks!
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