Devanagari

Devanagari is an Indic script used in India and Nepal. It is written from left to right, has a strong preference for symmetrical rounded shapes within squared outlines, and is recognisable by a horizontal line that runs along the top of full letters.

History

The Devanagari script is used for several languages including Hindi, Marathi, Nepali, Sanskrit, and Konkani. It is a descendant of the Brahmi script, which was the earliest writing system developed in India in the mid-1st millennium BCE.

Structure

Devanagari is an abugida, meaning each base consonantal character carries an inherent vowel, which can be altered or muted by means of diacritics. It also includes additional symbols for vowels, which can be added to the base consonant.

Usage

Devanagari is used for writing Hindi, the most widely spoken language in India, as well as many other Indian languages. It is also used for writing Sanskrit, the liturgical language of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.

See also

• Brahmi script
• Sanskrit
• Hindi
• Marathi
• Nepali
• Konkani

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  Isha Upanishad Verses 1 to 3, Shukla Yajurveda, Sanskrit, Devanagari
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  13th-century Shatapatha Brahmana 14th Khanda Prapathaka 3-4, page 1 front, Sanskrit, Devanagari script
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  Yajurveda 44.8, page 1 front and back, Sanskrit, Devanagari lipi (script)
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  1593 CE, Adi Shankara bhasya Aitareya Upanishad, Varanasi Jain temple bhandara, Sanskrit, Devanagari, MS Add.2092
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  Devanagari matras
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  1765 Saka, 1843 CE, Jnanesvari Jnandeva Dnyaneshwar manuscript page 1 and 2, Devanagari Marathi
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  10th century college foundation grant Devanagari inscription in Sanskrit on stone, Kaladgi Karnataka
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  Devanagari a
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  Devanagari a old
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  Devanagari झ
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  Devanagari jh old