Brahmic scripts

Lore & Background

Brahmic scripts descended from the Brahmi script, which is clearly attested from the 3rd century BCE during the reign of Ashoka, who used the script for imperial edicts. Northern Brahmi gave rise to the Gupta script during the Gupta period, which in turn diversified into a number of cursives during the medieval period. Notable examples of such medieval scripts, developed by the 7th or 8th century, include Nagari, Siddham and Sharada. The Siddhaṃ script was especially important in Buddhism, as many sutras were written in it, and the art of Siddham calligraphy survives today in Japan.

Reader's Guide

Southern Brahmi evolved into the Kadamba, Pallava and Vatteluttu scripts, which in turn diversified into other scripts of South India and Southeast Asia. Brahmic scripts spread in a peaceful manner through Indianization, or the spread of Indian learning, naturally to Southeast Asia at ports on trading routes. At these trading posts, ancient inscriptions have been found in Sanskrit using scripts that originated in India. By the 8th century, the scripts had diverged and separated into regional scripts. The tabular presentation and dictionary order of the modern kana system of Japanese writing is believed to be descended from the Indic scripts, most likely through the spread of Buddhism. Characteristics of most Brahmic scripts include each consonant having an inherent vowel, vowel signs placed around consonants, consonant ligatures, and a specific alphabetical order starting with vowels and grouped by place of articulation.

Did You Know?

• The Siddhaṃ script was especially important in Buddhism, and its calligraphy survives today in Japan.
• By the 8th century, Brahmic scripts had diverged and separated into regional scripts across South and Southeast Asia.