Kohi Script From Gandhara by Nasim Khan, m

7/30/2019 Kohi Script From Gandhara by Nasim Khan, m

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Gandhran Studies, Vol.1 89

Kohi Script from Gandhra

Discovery of Another Ancient Indian Writing SystemM. Nasim Khan

While looking for ancient documents to establish

the missing links between the Middle Indo Aryan

and the Dardic languages of northern Pakistan,

different sorts of epigraphical specimens were

documented during the process of screening the

three main valleys of northern Pakistan, Dir, Swat

and the Upper Indus, including the discovery of

dozens of ancient Indian inscriptions. All but one

group of these are written in already familiarscripts and somewhat known languages. The

aberrant script was mainly found in Dir, Swat,

Buner and in the Peshawar valley and since its

discovery it has remained a puzzling job for the

epigraphist to determine the nature of its writing

and its language.

In 1999 a person from Swat informed one of my

students, who was working on Chail dialect of

Swat Kohistani, that a strange script is to be seen

engraved on the surface of a rock close toBahrain, Swat. After getting this information we

visited the area to see the inscription, but

unfortunately we were not able to find it in the

absence of the person who had brought it to our

attention, instead we were compensated by

discovering another such inscription, which was

lying in a private collection in Manglawar, Swat1.

Since this discovery the author has been trying to

document all such inscriptions situated in situ or

lying in different museums and private

collections. These inscriptions, written in astrange script hereafter called Kohi Script2, areengraved mostly on stone slabs of different types:

schist, granite, marble, etc.

It seems that reference to this strange script was

first made by M. Senart and Sir Thomas Holdich

in 1910 while referring to a large number of such

1

Thanks to its owner I could study the inscription on thespot.2

Due to discovery of these inscriptions in the mountainous

regions of northern Pakistaqn, the name Kohi Script ishere purely geographical rather than associated with any

historical accounts.

strange inscriptions collected by Col. Deane in the

area of Swat. Sir Thomas Holdich writes:

But along with these Buddhist relics there have

been lately unearthed certain strange

inscriptions, which have been submitted by their

discoverer, Major Deane, to a congress of

Orientalists, who can only pronounce them to be

in an unknown tongue. They have been found in

the Indus valley east of Swat, most of them beingengraved on stone slabs which have been built

into towers, now in ruins. The towers are

comparatively modern, but it by no means

follows that these inscriptions are so. It is the

common practice of Pathan builders to preserve

any engraved or sculptured relic that they may

find, by utilizing them as ornamental features in

their buildings. It has probably been a custom

from time immemorial. In 1895 I observed

evidences of this propensity in the graveyard at

Chagan Sarai, in the Kunar valley, where many

elaborately carved Buddhist fragments were leftinto the sides of their roughly built chabutras,or sepulchres, with the obvious purpose of

gaining effect thereby. No one would say where

those Buddhist fragments came from. The

Kunnar valley appears at first sight to be

absolutely free from Buddhist remains, although

it would naturally be selected as a most likely

field for research. These undeciphered

inscriptions may possibly be found to be vastly

more ancient than the towers they adorned. It is,

at any rate, a notable fact about them that some

of them recall a Greek alphabet of archaic

type. So great an authority as M. Senart inclinesto the opinion that their authors must be referred

to the Skythic or Mongolian invaders of India;

but he refers at the same time to a sculptured and

inscribed monument in the Louvre, of unknown

origin, the characters on which resemble those of

the new script. (Colonel, Sir Thomas Holdich:

1910: 129-129-130)

As a result of my first communiqu with scholars

in the relevant field, I had the impression that

these inscriptions were forgeries. The controversy

of the fake nature of these inscriptions has

continued for a long period with a sole argument

being that there is no parallel for such

inscriptions. Moreover Col. Deane, a British army


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officer during the 1880s, was collecting and

buying inscriptions in Swat and Buner areas and

it is generally believed that people from the

region were making fake inscriptions for him.

But these arguments did not convince me and Ihad to look for parallels by visiting different

collections, museums, societies in Pakistan and

abroad, especially the British Museum and the

Royal Asiatic Society. I could not find any

parallel in the mentioned institutions except for

the Lahore Museum, where quite a good number

of inscriptions are stored in the reserve and one is

on display. Those in the reserve collection are

mostly published in the Royal Asiatic Society

Journal but they are very fragmentary and keep

very little similarity with the Kohi Script. But the

efforts continued that resulted in the discovery of

some more slabs which are lying in different

private collections coming from different parts of

the region. At least one slab is confirmed coming

from Dir and one from Hund, Gandhara. The rest

supposedly come from Swat.

When I was on an academic visit to the Institute

of Sanskrit and Indian Philology, Freie

University, Prof. Harry Falk drew my attention tothe publication on inscribed or painted potsherds

found during excavation at Kara Tepe,

Khalchayan, etc. After a close examination it was

found that these different signs of an

undeciphered script fall under the same category

as the Kohi script.

In the area of Dasht-e-Nawar in Afghanistan, a

boulder was discovered having Kharoshthi

inscriptions that were published by Prof. G.

Fussman (Fussman 1974). However on the sameboulder another inscription is engraved having the

same characteristic as the Kohi scripts.

Similarly some other inscriptions were discovered

during excavations in Afghanistan and in Central

Asian, while others are engraved on vessels of

different kinds (Akishev 1978: 71; Bernard, P.

1992: 140. Harmatta 1999: 417).

Although the number of inscriptions discovered

during the last few years is quite impressive, the

present study is based on selected inscriptions

found in northern Pakistan. Detailed study and

analysis is under progress and the results will

hopefully be available soon. The present paper

mainly deals with the paleography of the selected

inscriptions and comparison is made with thosefound in Afghanistan and Central Asia.

Granite Slab InscriptionMaterial: Granite

Condition: Complete (line no 4 is partially

defaced)

Size: 24x15 (max)

22x14 (min)

The slab is rectangular in shape and has two small

holes one on its left and the other on its right side.

These holes might have been used for fixing the

slab on to a wall with the help of nails and rust of

an iron object is still discernible

inside the holes. The reverse side of the slab is

undressed.

It is engraved with four lines inscriptionaccommodating in total 42 signs covering an area

of 22x12 cm. Each of these signs is unique in this

slab except for one which occurs twice.

Schist Slab Inscription from GandharaMaterial: schist

Condition: complete

Size: 23x9.5


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The slab is rectangular in shape with two holes on

the right side. These holes might indicate the

same function as it is the case with the granite

slab inscription. The slab was basically square in

shape but half of it is lost. It is engraved with a

nine line inscription. These lines contain in total

78 signs that are arranged in 45 different groups.

The inscription is engraved within a frame with

flowers and birds figures. To the right and left

part of the inscription are the floral designs whilethe upper part shows twenty-two squares arrange

in two rows with a bird figure, one in each square.

The reverse side of the slab is partially broken

and flaked off; it contains some geometrical

designs covering an area of about 23x7.9 cm. The

designs on the back are composed of different

circles executed with dotted techniques. Each

circle having a dot in its centre.

Schist Slab Inscription from SwatMaterial: Schist

Condition: Partially broken from theright

Size: Not available

The slab is rectangular in shape but it is broken

on its top or its right side. The surface of the slab

is properly dressed and divided into two

main areas by two parallel lines. The upper or

right part is further divided by a single line into

two parts. Apart from the inscriptions to be found


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in each of these sections there is probably a figure

of a Buddha executed in the left lower corner of

the slab. The figure is shown in profile facing

right. He is depicted with a round top chignon and

probably straight hair combed back wards.

The upper left side of the slab contains eleven

lines, the upper right shows six lines, while the

lower part is engraved with seven lines

inscription. The right upper part of the slab is

broken and it seems that part of the inscription is

missing. Lines six, seven and eight of the lower

right part of the inscription are completely gone.

Total numbers of the existing lines are about 23

which accommodate approximately 104 signs that

are arranged under 76 different groups.

Marble Slab Inscription

Material: MarbleCondition: Compete

Size 14.5x7.5 (max)

14x6.8 (min)

The slab supposedly comes from Hund area. It is

rectangular in shape and is properly dressed on its

engraved surface. The obverse is divided into two

parts by an incised horizontal line, the upper part

covers almost two third of the total surface and

contains a four line inscription. The inscription

contains about 138 signs arranged under 90

different groups. The lower part of the slab is

plain but has two holes with residue of the ironnails.

Paleography of the Inscriptions:A detailed study of the symbols in the four

inscriptions included in this paper has shown that

they can be re-grouped or classified under 160

different groups starting from Serial No. 1-160.

This number can be reduced if the study is only

based on the basic form of the symbols or could

be increased if minor details are considered.Comparison of the symbols in the present

inscriptions is made with those that

occurs in the similar inscriptions found in

Afghanistan and Central Asia and those that are

the non Indian scripts found elsewhere. Further

comparison is made between the Kohi script and

the ancient Indian scripts like Kharoshthi, Brahmi

and Indus script.

Serial No: 1This sign is composed of a vertical line with three

horizontal strokes added to the right side of the

vertical arranged in a parallel manner: top, middle

and lower end. The sign is very similar to the

Brhmletter ja. It can also be compared with acertain sign of the Indus script (Fig. 7, No. 32)

and the Roman capital E. We have six examplesin this group almost having similar shapes. They

are sometime added with different strokes or

additional marks that could be used for diacritical

marks.


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Serial No: 2

The sign of this group has close similarity with

the previous group. The main difference being

the direction of the strokes. In the present

examples the strokes are added to the left side of

the vertical. It can be compared with theKharoh letter ha (Fig. 7, No. 7). Similarsymbol is also present in the Indus script (Fig. 7,

No.7).

Serial No. 3These signs have almost the same shape as those

come under Serial No. 1. The difference is the

middle horizontal line which has a loop on its

end.

Serial No: 4There are three examples in this group; one from

each slab except the schist slab from Gandhra.The formation of the sign is the same as it is the

case for Serial No. 1 except for the loop which is

attached to the horizontal line.

Serial No: 5They are exactly the same as those that come

under Serial No. 4 except for the loop at the lower

end instead of attaching to the upper body of thevertical. One of the signs has a heart shaped

design at the bottom and to the right in place of a

semicircle. In one example the upper horizontal is

not attached to the tip of the vertical but is shown

a little below.

Serial No: 6We have two examples of this sign; both are from

the schist slab inscription from Gandhra. Thesign has close similarity with the signs of the

previous groups. In the present two examples, themain body consists of a vertical line with three

horizontal lines attached to the right of the

vertical; the upper horizontal line makes a loop

while joining the vertical. In one of these

examples, the upper horizontal line shows a

symbols similar to a trident.

Serial No: 7There is only one example in this group. It is

composed of one vertical and three horizontal

lines. The upper horizontal stroke to the right is

bent inward making a loop when passes through

the vertical; it is extended downwards and stays at

the same level as the vertical line. The other two

horizontal lines are drawn towards the right

Serial No: 8We have only one example of this sign but it is

similar to Serial No: 5. The only difference ismade by the lower horizontal line which slants

downward and then bends inward two times

giving a triangular shape to the lower part.

Serial No: 9There are three signs in total under this group.

One of these sign is composed of a vertical and

two horizontal lines; one attached to the top and

the other to the middle part- both are drawn

towards the right. In one example, a hook is

attached to the top opening leftward; it has the

same shape as the Brhmmedial vowel i. Theother two signs of the same group are added with

an additional horizontal stroke attached to the

bottom towards the right. Two hooks are attached

to the lower part of the sign.

Serial No: 10We have three signs in this group; all of these

occur in the marble slab inscription. The basic

shape of the sign is similar to Serial No. 1 but thepresent examples are added with different minor

symbols attached to the figures or placed in the

left field.

Serial No: 11There are only two examples. The signs are

composed of different lines; each has an oblique

line with three slanting strokes attached parallel to

the main line. One of the signs shows a stroke that

passes through the middle of the oblique line and

slants downward with a foot mark to the right.

Serial No: 12All the three examples in this group are found in

the Schist Slab Inscription from Swat. They are

very similar to Serial No. 6. The basic sign

consists of a straight vertical line with two

horizontals strokes one at the bottom and one at

the middle to the right. One of these is added with

a hook and the other one with trident like symbol

without the vertical bar.


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Serial No: 13There are nine signs in this group but they occur

on two slabs: the schist slab from Gandhara and

the marble slab from Hund. The signs are very

similar to the Kharohletter ti or pha (Fig. 7,

No. 19).

Serial No: 14The two examples occurring in this group seem to

be a cursive form of the sign of Serial No. 13 or it

might be the same but with additional signs.

Serial No: 15This group contains six signs; five occur in the

marble slab inscription and one on the schist slab

from Swat. They have exactly the same form asthat of the Serial No. 13. An additional stroke in

the form of a horizontal line is added to the right

bottom of the vertical giving the impression of a

Kharoshthi phra. Minor signs are also added tosome of these symbols.

Serial No: 16There are five signs in this group. They can be

compared with symbols of Serial No. 1 except for

a loop attached to the top of each of the letter.

Minor symbols are also added.

Serial No: 17We have only one sign in this group that occurs in

the marble slab inscription. It is comparable to the

previous group of signs. Minor symbol is added

to the left of the sign.

Serial No: 18There are two examples in total; both signs occur

in the schist slab inscription from Swat. The basic

body of the sign consists of a straight vertical linewith a horizontal stroke at the bottom attached to

the right. One of the examples shows a semicircle

attached to the middle of the vertical toward the

right. But in the second case, one limb of the sign

is attached to the vertical and the other to the

horizontal line. In the later case a short stroke is

also added to the top left of the vertical. It can be

compared with the Kharoh letter sra (Fig. 7,No. 27).

Serial No: 19There are three signs in this group two occurs on

the schist slab from Swat and the other on the

marble slab inscription. The symbols are very

similar to one of those placed in Serial No. 18

except for the semicircle added to the top of thevertical in the present examples.

Serial No: 20The only symbol we have in this group occurs in

the granite slab inscription. It is similar to Serial

No. 18 except for the top of the vertical that is

broken to the right; the top is bent to the right in

shape of a hook.

Serial No: 21We have four sign in this group; two occur in theschist slab inscription from Gandhra and theother two in the marble slab inscription. They are

comparable to Serial No. 19 except for the

vertical in the present example that goes through

the middle of the semicircle giving a trident shape

to the upper body. Additional marks can be seen

to the left of one of the signs on the marble slab

inscription.

Serial No: 22There is only one sign in this group, which is on

the marble slab inscription. The main body of the

sign is similar to the previous group except for

the lower limb of the semicircle that goes through

the vertical. Additional marks are added to the left

of the sign.

Serial No: 23There are two examples, both occur on the marble

slab inscription. It is comparable to Serial No. 22;

here the minor symbols are missing.

Serial No: 24There are five sign in this group. The main body

of the sign is similar to the sign of Serial No: 21

except for the semicircle, which is absent here.

Two of these examples have a horizontal stroke

which passes through the middle of the vertical;

the horizontal is broken on both of its end.


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Serial No: 25The signs in this group are of the same shapes as

those that occurred in the previous group; the

little difference that can be seen is in the tip of the

horizontal stroke, which is either bent or in a

heart shape design in the present examples.

Serial No: 26We have four signs in this group. They can be

compared with Serial No. 24.

Serial No: 27The main body of the sign is composed of a

straight vertical line and a horizontal stroke, with

a trident shape left end, which passes through the

middle of the upper half of the vertical.

Serial No: 28

The sign is similar to a trident symbol in upside

down position.

Serial No: 29The basic shape of the symbol is very similar to

Serial No. 28. An additional mark is added to the

top or middle body of the symbol. This type of

sign can also be found in the Indus script (Fig. 7:

No. 3).

Serial No: 30The formation of the symbol is the same as Serial

No. 29. In the present example the three dents are

added to the top of the vertical. The lower tip of

the symbol is either added with a minor sign or is

shown in a very cursive manner.

Serial No: 31There is only one example. It is composed of a

trident shaped symbol (Serial No. 30) and a kindof semi circle with tail that goes through the

middle of the vertical of the trident.

Serial No: 32We have two examples in this group. Both are

shaped on the model of a trident symbol. In one of

the examples a curved line goes through the

middle part of the vertical.

Serial No: 33The symbol is very similar to the Kharohlettertha (Fig. 7: No.13); the lower end of the verticalshows a hook to its left.

Serial No: 34Most probably belongs to Serial No. 32; in the

present examples an additional mark is added to

the left and the lower body of the vertical has a

spiraled hook to the left.

Serial No: 35We have four examples in this group. The main

body of the sign is composed of a straight vertical

line and an angular hook, which is attached to the

lower half of the vertical to the right. It is verysimilar to the Brhm letter ta (Fig. 7: No. 34).Serial No: 36The main body of the sign is similar to the

previous group. The top of one of the signs has

three dents added. The other symbol of the same

group is similar to the Kharoh letter ka (Fig.7, No. 2).

Serial No: 37

There is only one specimen. The lower body iscomparable to the Brhm letter ta orKharohbha. The upper part is a semi circlepresented in outline.

Serial No: 38This group contains three examples. It has close

similarity with the Kharohletter gha (Fig. 7,No. 4).

Serial No: 39

We have eight signs in this group. The symbol iscomparable to Serial No. 35.

Serial No: 40The main body of the sign is composed of a

straight vertical line and a small semicircular

opening downward, attached to the bottom of the

vertical. Additional minor signs can be seen. It

can be compared with the Brhm letter ta ofthe later period.


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Serial No: 41There is only one example. It is similar to the

Kharohletter ka (Fig. 7, No. 28).Serial No: 42All the three examples in this group come from

the marble slab inscription. The upper body of the

letter is similar to the Kharohletter ja (Fig. 7,No. 6). The lower body shows dents, hooks or

short lines. The symbol can also be compared

with one of the symbol in the Indus script (Fig. 7,

No. 6).

Serial No: 43This group contains only two examples of the

sign; both are from the schist slab inscriptionfrom Swat. The main body of the sign is similar

to the Roman letter D or Brahmi dha (Fig. 7:36). The vertical is extended upwards.

Serial No: 44We have four examples in this group. It has

almost the same shape as Serial No. 43 can be

compared to the Brahmi letter ca (Fig. 7, No.30).

Serial No: 45The sign is very similar to Serial No. 43 except

for the curved or horizontal line added to the

upper part of the vertical in the present case.

Serial No: 46The symbol can be compared with Serial No. 45.

Here the top of the vertical shows a hook to the

right. An additional mark is placed on the right

side of one of the example.

Serial Nos.: 47-50Signs belong to Serial Nos. 47-50 might come

under the same group and can be compared with

Serial Nos. 43-46.

Serial No: 51This group contains four examples. The main

body of the sign is composed of a vertical line

which bends towards the right at its lower end and

then crosses the vertical making a loop at the

bottom and towards the right. An additional mark

is added in one of the examples. Sometimes a

vertical or a curved line is added to the upper part

of the vertical. The sign has resemblance with the

Brhmletter cha (Fig. 7, No. 31).

Serial No: 52There is only one example in this group. This sign

has a close similarity with the previous group. In

the present example the loop is towards the left

side. Two parallel slanting strokes pass throughthe upper half of the vertical.

Serial No: 53This group contains six examples. The basic

shape of the symbol is a semicircle added with a

cross, hook, vertical stroke, etc. either placed in

the curve of the symbol or below. The sign can be

compared with the Kharoh letter ma (Fig. 7,No. 20).

Serial No: 54We have only one sign in this group. The main

body of the symbol is similar to Serial No. 53.

The right limb is extended upwards and a small

horizontal stroke has been placed on its top. The

semi circle is placed on top of a fish hook symbol

whereas its vertical is crossed by a slanting

stroke.

Serial No: 55

This group equally contains only one symbol. Theupper body of the sign is comparable to the main

body of the symbol in Serial No. 53. In the

present example, the ends of the limb are broken

towards the left. A vertical line that makes an

angle with a horizontal line is drawn downwards

from the outer surface of the semicircle.

Serial No: 56The group contains a total of six examples. The

symbol is very similar to the late Brahmi letter

sa (Fig. 7: 46). The tip of the limbs are brokeneither inwards or outwards. This type of sign can

also be found in the Indus script.

Serial No: 57We have only one sign in this group which occurs

in the schist slab inscription from Swat. Except

for the left hook which is missing in the present

example, the symbol has similarity with Serial

No. 56.


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Serial No: 58

This group contains only one example and is

comparable in shape to Serial No. 56 but it is

represented here in upside down position.

Serial No: 59The symbol of this group can be compared with

the Brahmi letter pha (Fig. 7, No. 39). The topof the vertical is added with a horizontal stroke.

Serial No: 60There is only one example. The sign is composed

of a victory sign with round top, shown in upside

down position, and a trident shaped symbol that

goes through the right limb of the symbol.

Serial No: 61We have only one example in this group, from the

schist slab inscription from Swat. The shape of

the sign is very close to the Brhmletter pu.

Serial No: 62This group contains five examples. It is similar to

the Roman letter v some times with a horizontalline in the middle like Roman letter A in upsidedown position.

Serial No: 63There are six examples in this group. The basic

form of the symbol is similar to the Roman

capital letter W. Minor symbols are added orplaced near to the symbols.

Serial No: 64The only sign that we have in this group is that

which is composed of a similar symbol explained

under Serial No. 63 and a L shaped symbol ontop of which is placed the first component of the

symbol. Minor strokes are added to both sides ofthe sign.

Serial No: 65We have only one sign in this group. It can be

compared with the Roman capital letter M. Suchsigns can be found in the Indus script (Fig. 7, No.

52).

Serial No: 66This group contains only one sign that is taken

from the schist slab inscription from Swat. The

sign has close similarity with Serial No: 63 except

for the loop in the middle dent.

Serial No: 67There are two examples. The symbol can be

compared with the Brahmi letter ja or Kharohdra (Fig. 7, No. 16). In one case a slantingstroke is added to the upper bar.

Serial No: 68The sign is similar to Serial No. 67 but it is

represented in the present case in reverse

direction. It can also be compared with the

Kharohletter dha (Fig. 7, No. 17).

Serial No: 69The only example that we have in this group

comes from the granite slab inscription. It has

close similarity with the Kharohsymbol for thesound tve (Fig. 7, No. 9) or can be comparedwith the Kharohsymbol for re.Serial No: 70This group is composed of only one example

which can be compared with italic form of the

Gupta Brhmletter a (Fig. 7: 37).Serial No: 71This group contains two examples both of which

occurred in the granite slab inscription. Thesymbols can be compared with Serial Nos. 31 and

34 but in the present case they are represented in

upside down position.

Serial No: 72The main body of the symbol is similar to a fish

hook which is crossed by a curved line in its

middle.

Serial No: 73

All the three examples in this group are recordedin the marble slab inscription. The main body of

the symbol is comparable to Serial No. 72. The

top hook is either pointed, round in form or

angular in shape. Apart for the horizontal stroke

that goes through the middle of the vertical, other

minor symbols can be seen close to the symbol.

The sign can be compared with the Kharohletter i (Fig. 7, No. 1).


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Serial No: 74We have three symbols in this group, all these are

taken from the marble slab inscription. The main

body of the sign is composed of a straight vertical

line with a hook at its lower end towards the left.

Another stroke is added to the top in a horizontalmanner with a short vertical stroke attached to the

tip of the main stroke.

Serial No: 75The straight line can be compared with the

Brahmi letter ra (Fig. 7, No. 42). Sometime thetop of the vertical has an additional mark. Such

type of sign is also fond in the Indus script.

Serial No: 76Very similar to the symbol of the previous group.The sign can also be compared with the Kharohletter tha or ha (Fig. 7, No. 10) or Brhmletter ka.

Serial No: 77We have three examples of this symbol. It is

composed of a vertical line crossed by a single or

two parallel horizontal lines.

Serial No: 78The main body of the letter can be compared with

Kharoh letter na. Two minor strokes aredrawn to the left of the symbol.

Serial No: 79This group contains only one sign which is seen

on the marble slab inscription. The basic form of

the letter is similar to the Kharoh letter sawhereas the upper part of the vertical is crossedby a slanting stroke or the upper limb of the loop.

Serial No: 80This group contains five signs. All symbols in this

group are different from each other in one way or

another. The basic form of the symbol can be

compared with the cursive form of the Kharohletter bha. Additional signs can be seen eitherattached to the symbol or placed nearby.

Serial No: 81The sign can be compared with the Kharohletter sa. Signs in this shape can also be found inthe Indus script.

Serial No: 82This symbol is composed of a vertical and two

strokes attached to the middle body of the vertical

towards the right. Additional marks are also

added to the symbol.

Serial No: 83

This group contains three symbols. It is a verticalline with a bend at its lower end either to the right

or to the left side. Additional mark is added in one

example. The symbol is similar to the reverse of

the Brhminitial vowel u.

Serial No: 84Very similar to the Serial No. 83 except for the

additional stroke that is added either to the top or

it crosses the middle of the vertical. The symbol

can be compared with the Kharohletter tha.

Serial No: 85This group contains three signs whereas the main

body is comparable to the Brhm letter pa.Some times one or two horizontal lines are added

to the top or upper body of the vertical.

Serial No: 86We have only two examples; both are recorded in

the schist slab inscription from Gandhara. One is

composed of a vertical line with its lower endbent towards the left. Another line almost vertical

and parallel is drawn towards the left. The second

symbol is similar to the reverse of the first

symbol; additional mark is added to the right.

Serial No: 87The sign is similar to the Brhm letter ha. Theadditional marks are hooks or a slanting line.

They are either attached to the letter or placed

below.

Serial No: 88There is only one example of this letter. It is

formed on a semicircle with a miniature loop and


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a horizontal line in its curve. This type of sign can

also be found in the Indus script (Fig. 7, 49).

Serial No: 89It is formed of a semicircle or a square opening

towards the right, whereas the right bar ismissing, and a vertical line that crosses the upper

limb. The lower end of the vertical inclines to the

right. Minor strokes are added to the symbol. The

additional signs are either two pairs of two

parallels slanting strokes, one pair in the right

field and the other in the left field, or stroke

attached to the top of the vertical.

Serial No: 90This group contains two examples. It can be

compared with the Kharohletter da or RomanS.

Serial No: 91The symbol can be compared with Serial No. 90.

In the present case a vertical line crosses the

figure creating a symbol like $. Minor symbolsare added to the sign.

Serial No: 92

We have only one example in this group. Themain body is composed of a symbol comparable

to Serial Nos. 90, 91 and a trident shaped figure

presented in upside down position.

Serial No: 93It is composed of a vertical line and a triangle on

its top left side; similar to the reverse of the

Kharohletter sa.

Serial No: 94

Having close similarity with Serial No. 94; theloop in the present symbol is more rounded.

Additional marks are also added.

Serial No: 95A compound of the previous group of symbol and

a trident shaped drawing facing left.

Serial No: 96The symbol can be compared with the Kharoh

letter na or

a with a rounded top. Additionalsigns can be seen.

Serial no: 97There is only one example of this symbol. It is a

vertical line having two loops, one on each end

towards the right. The tip of the upper hook is

extended leftwards and trifurcated into three

strokes giving the impression of a trident.

Serial No: 98The symbol can be compared to a plus + orcross sign x. In one example it is placed on thetop of a fish hook shaped symbol. The symbol

can also be compared with the letter tha or thedigit for 4 in Kharoh.

Serial No: 99

This group contains only one sign. It is similar tothe previous group of signs except for the broken

ends of the lines in the present example.

Serial No: 100A cross sign shadowed by a semicircle. Below the

symbol there is a wavy line.

Serial Nos.: 101, 102The symbol is composed of two parallel vertical

and two parallel horizontal lines that cross each

other at its right angle. Some times a loop can beseen at its top.

Serial No: 103There is only one sign in this group. It is similar

to the drawing of double ta in Brhm placedside by side. The verticals are crossed by a

victory shaped symbol opening leftwards.

Serial No: 104

A rectangle crossed by a vertical in its centre.Such symbol can be found in the Indus script

(Fig. 7, 57).

Serial No: 105We have only one example in this group. The

main body of the sign is composed of a rectangle

placed vertically. The top is surmounted with an

approximate semicircle wherein a small stroke is

placed vertically. A similar symbol is also

available in the Indus script (Fig. 7, 56).

Serial Nos.: 106, 107The signs can be compared with the Kharoh


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letter ca.

Serial No: 108The symbol is comparable to the Brhm letterdha.

Serial No: 109This group contains seven example of the symbol

whereas its shape is similar to the Brhm letterha.Serial No: 110It can be compared with the Brhmletter tha.

Serial No: 111

A round body added with two victory shapedsymbols; one attached to the top and one to the

bottom of the main symbol.

Serial No: 112The sign is oval in shape with a notch at the lower

end.

Serial No: 113The symbol can be compared with the Brhmletter va. Such symbol can also be found in the

Indus script.

Serial No: 114The same type of sign as serial No. 113 but it is in

upside down position. In one example three

dashes are added to the top of the circle. It can

also be compared with the Brhm letter hu.This shape of the sign is also found in the Indus

script.

Serial No: 115

May be of the same type of symbol as Serial No.113 except for the bend in the vertical to be seen

in the present example. It can also be compared

with the Kharohletter yo.

Serial No: 116The sign is very similar to the Brhmletter ca.

Serial No: 117A slanting stroke with a loop at its lower end

towards the right. Two parallel horizontal linesare added to the right of the vertical.

Serial No: 118The symbol can be compared with the Brhmletter pha or ha .

Serial No: 119

Comparable to the Brhm letter ma. Similarsign also occurs in the Indus script.

Serial No: 120Same as the previous group of symbol. In the

present example a trident shaped symbol is added

either to the right limb or to the left limb.

Serial Nos.: 121, 122See Serial No. 119.

Serial No: 123Comparable to Serial No. 119 but represented in

upside down position.

Serial Nos.: 124, 125Probably cursive form of Serial No. 123.

Serial Nos.: 126-160They are very complex symbols and hardly

comparable to any letter of any ancient Indian

scripts. In Serial No: 142, the symbols are

partially comparable to the Gupta Brhm lettera. Some of these symbols can be comparedwith signs in the Indus script.

ConclusionAlthough all these inscriptions are written in the

same script, the palaeography shows a very clear

development in the shape of the letters. This

suggests that the inscriptions do not belong to the

same period but may belong to different periods.Most probably the script was in use somewhere

between the 1st - 7th/8th centuries AD. The granite

slab inscription might belong to the early phase of

writing while the Hund slab inscription which

shows a more developed and complex form of

writing system might belong to the 7th/8th

centuries AD or even later. Like Kharoh, thedirection of writing is most probably from right

towards the left.

It has long been assumed that these inscriptionswere fakes. However, the number of inscriptions

recorded in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central

Asia, including bilingual inscriptions found in


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situ, examples recovered during excavation and

several from unknown provenance lying in

different museums and private collection indicate

that Kohi should be added to the list of ancient

Indian scripts: Kharoh, Brhm, Indus as it wasanother popular script that was in use in the

Northern regions of Pakistan, Afghanistan and

Central Asia.


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References

Akishev, K.A. 1978. Kurgan Issyk. Iskusstvo

Sakov Kazakhstana. Moscow.

Bernard, P. 1980. Campagne de fouilles 1978

A Khanoum (Afghanistan). CRAI: 29-30.Bernard, P. and Rapin, Claude. 1980. Campagne

de fouilles 1978 A Khanoum : III. Le

Palais. La Trsorerie.BEFEO 68: 10-38.

Bhattacharyya, H.K. 1959. The Language and

Scripts of Ancient India. Calcutta.

Curiel, R. 1954. Inscriptions de Surkh Kotal.

Journal Asiatique 242: 189-205

Daniels, Peter, T. 1996. The Worlds WritingSystems. New York

Fussman, G. 1974. Documents pigraphiqueskouchans I.BEFEO 61: 1-66.

Gnoli, Gherardo 1964: Le Iscrizioni Gidudeo-

Persiane del Gur (Afghanistan). Serie

Oriental Roma XXX. Rome

Harmatta, J. 1999 (Indian Edition). Languages

and Scripts in Graeco-Bactria and the Saka

Kingdoms. History of Civilizations of

Central Asia, Vol. II (Harmatta, J., Puri,

B.N., Etemadi, G.F. Edition): 397-416.

Dehli.

Harmatta, J. 1999 (Indian Edition). Languagesand Literature in the Kushan Empire.

History of Civilizations of Central Asia, Vol.

II (Harmatta, J., Puri, B.N., Etemadi, G.F.

Edition): 417-440. Dehli.

Holdich, S.T. 1910. The Gates of India. An

Historical Narrative. London.

Livshits, V.A. 1976. Nadpisi iz Dilberdzhina.Drevniaia Baktriia 1: 165, n.4

Livshits, V.A. 1979. Dva ostraka iz

Dilberdzhina. Drevniaia Baktriia 2: 95, n.

3: inscription en criture qualifiedebactrienne-aramenne.

Livshits, V.A.; Kruglikova, I.T. 1979. Fragmenty

baktriiskoi monumentalnoi nadpisi izDilberdzhina. Drevniaia Baktriia 2: 98-112.

Oranskij, Iosif, M. 1997. Les Langues Iraniennes.

Translated by Joyce Blau. Paris.

Pugachenkova, G.A. 1966. Khalchayan. K.

probleme khudozhestvennoi kulturySevernoi Bakctri. Tashkent.

Pugachenkova, G.A. 1979. Dzhiga-tepe.

Drevniaia Baktriia 2: 63-94.

Rapin, Claude. 1992. Fouilles dA Khanoum

VIII. La Trsorerie du Palais HellnistiquedA Khanoum. Paris

Robinson, A. 1999. The Story of Writing. New

York

Sahni, R.B.D.R. 1932. Six Inscriptions in the

Lahore Museum. Epigraphia Indica. Vol.

XXI (1931-32): 293-301

Stavinskij, B.Ja.La Bactriane sous les Kushans.

Stavinskij, B. 1975.Novye nakhodki na Kara-tepe

v starom Termeze (1972-1973 gg.).

Moscow.

Stein, M.A. 1898 (?). Notes on New Inscriptions

Discovered by Major Deane. Journal of the

Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal. 1898: 1-19.

Stein, A. 1972. On Alexanders Track to the

Indus. Personal Narrative of Explorations

on the North-West Frontier of India.NewYork

Vertogradova, V.V. 1982. Nakhodka nadpisi

neizvestnym pismon na Kara-tepe.Buddiiskie pamiatniki Kara-tepe v starom

Termeze (Kara tepe V).: 160-167. Moscow.

Vertogradova, V.V. 1987. Some Study Problems

of Indian Inscriptions in Kara-tepe. In:

Information Bulletin 13. International

Association for the Study of the Cultures of

Central Asia: 17-33. Moscow

Vertogradova, V.V. 1995. Indiiskaya Epigrafikaiz Kara-Tepe v Starom Termeze.

Problemy Deshivrovki i interpretacii.Akademia Nauk, Moscow.


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Fig. 1

Koh Script from Gandhra(Table of concordance)


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Fig. 2

Inscriptions from Afghanistan

(Comparative Table)


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Fig. 3

Inscriptions from Central Asia

(Table of concordance)


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Fig. 4

Inscriptions from Afghanistan and Central Asia

(Table of concordance)


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Fig. 5

Inscriptions from Gandhra, Afghanistan and Central Asia(Table of concordance)


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Fig. 6

Koh and non Ancient Indian scripts(Table of concordance)


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Fig. 7

Koh and Ancient Indian Scripts(Table of concordance)


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Kohi Script From Gandhara by Nasim Khan, m

Documents

Transcript of Kohi Script From Gandhara by Nasim Khan, m