DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36954#0178
"Kashgar Saddharmapundarika" Sanskrit ms. (LOKESH CHAN-
DRA 1976; TODA 1981), and the Khotanese ms. Z^ of the
P/. 206 "Book of Zambasta"*°. Both mss. most probably come from
one of the sites in the oasis Chira Domoko (GROPP 1974: 27;
EMMERICK 1978: 391). The majority of the Khotanese mss.
in formal Brahmi script are written in this type. They belong to
the most prosperous period of the kingdom of Khotan between
the seventh and the ninth century A.D. (GROPP 1974: 35f.).
The style is markedly different from that of the Suvarnabhasa
ms. The difference to be noted first is the tendency to straighter
lines, which emphasizes the variation of thick and thin lines and
creates a calligraphic impression. It is much better adapted to the
possibilities of the slanting tip of the pen than the script of the
Suvarnabhasa ms., and it reflects a general tendency of the
Brahmi script of the seventh century already discussed in detail
in connection with the introduction of the Proto-Sarada into
Gilgit and Bamiyan. The main ms. for the "Book of Zambasta"
is one of the older examples within this type of script. The writer
seldom uses Central Asian -6* and -%z, and, when he does, it is usual-
ly because not enough space is left for the Indian shaped one
(LEUMANN 1934: 8; SANDER 1984). In other mss., mainly
prose texts, Central Asian and no longer appear. Another
difference to be observed is the form of the dieresis. The two
dots are no longer round as in the Suvarnabhasa ms., and in
some, perhaps younger mss. of this type they are written very
close together, a tendency still further developed in the "Late
South Turkestan Brahmi". During this period the cursive script
of this region begins to influence the formal Brahmi, as is exem-
plified later.
The last stage of development can be observed in the case of
Dun-huang mss. written in the "Late South Turkestan Brahmi".
They belong most probably to the tenth century or later, when
Khotan tried to obtain an alliance with the Chinese kings of Sha-
chou (GROPP 1974: 36). It was this type of Khotanese Brahmi
only that was used by A.F.R. HOERNLE for his analysis of the
10 Published by EMMERICK 1968; Facsimile edition: VOROB'EV-DESJA-
TOVSKIJ i VOROB'EVA-DESJATOVSKAJA 1965. In E. LEUMANN's
first edition 193 3—34, the ms. was named 'E'.
116
DRA 1976; TODA 1981), and the Khotanese ms. Z^ of the
P/. 206 "Book of Zambasta"*°. Both mss. most probably come from
one of the sites in the oasis Chira Domoko (GROPP 1974: 27;
EMMERICK 1978: 391). The majority of the Khotanese mss.
in formal Brahmi script are written in this type. They belong to
the most prosperous period of the kingdom of Khotan between
the seventh and the ninth century A.D. (GROPP 1974: 35f.).
The style is markedly different from that of the Suvarnabhasa
ms. The difference to be noted first is the tendency to straighter
lines, which emphasizes the variation of thick and thin lines and
creates a calligraphic impression. It is much better adapted to the
possibilities of the slanting tip of the pen than the script of the
Suvarnabhasa ms., and it reflects a general tendency of the
Brahmi script of the seventh century already discussed in detail
in connection with the introduction of the Proto-Sarada into
Gilgit and Bamiyan. The main ms. for the "Book of Zambasta"
is one of the older examples within this type of script. The writer
seldom uses Central Asian -6* and -%z, and, when he does, it is usual-
ly because not enough space is left for the Indian shaped one
(LEUMANN 1934: 8; SANDER 1984). In other mss., mainly
prose texts, Central Asian and no longer appear. Another
difference to be observed is the form of the dieresis. The two
dots are no longer round as in the Suvarnabhasa ms., and in
some, perhaps younger mss. of this type they are written very
close together, a tendency still further developed in the "Late
South Turkestan Brahmi". During this period the cursive script
of this region begins to influence the formal Brahmi, as is exem-
plified later.
The last stage of development can be observed in the case of
Dun-huang mss. written in the "Late South Turkestan Brahmi".
They belong most probably to the tenth century or later, when
Khotan tried to obtain an alliance with the Chinese kings of Sha-
chou (GROPP 1974: 36). It was this type of Khotanese Brahmi
only that was used by A.F.R. HOERNLE for his analysis of the
10 Published by EMMERICK 1968; Facsimile edition: VOROB'EV-DESJA-
TOVSKIJ i VOROB'EVA-DESJATOVSKAJA 1965. In E. LEUMANN's
first edition 193 3—34, the ms. was named 'E'.
116