Bhujimol script

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Bhujimol
Grahas (Seizers), Six Folios From a Book of Charms LACMA M.82.169.11.jpg
A folio from a Book of Charms written in Classical Newar and the Bhujimol script from the 16th century.
Script type
DirectionLeft-to-right  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Languages Newar, Sanskrit
Related scripts
Parent systems
Sister systems
 Ranjana
Pracalit
 This article contains phonetic transcriptions in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA).For an introductory guide on IPA symbols, see Help:IPA.For the distinction between [ ], / / and ⟨ ⟩, see IPA § Brackets and transcription delimiters.

The Bhujimol script (or Bhujinmol, Devanagari: भुजिमोल or भुजिंमोल) is the most ancient form of Nepal script. It is also one of the most common varieties of the Nepal alphabet. [2] The Bhujimol script has been used to write Newar language and Sanskrit.

Contents

Etymology

The word Bhujimol comes from Newar language, where Bhuji or Bhojini means housefly and Mol means head. The "head" of this script, instead of being a horizontal line above each letter, resembles the forewing of a housefly, hence it is called Bhujimol, meaning "housefly-headed script." [3]

History

The Bhujimol script is recorded in King Nirbhayadeva's inscription at Taumadhi, Bhaktapur, dated to 1005 CE. The earliest important Newar texts, Haramekhala (1374), Manava Nyaya Shastra (1380), and Gopal Raj Vamshavali (1389), are written in the Bhujimol script. [4]

In 2003, a brick was discovered in Chabahil, in the course of reconstruction of the Chabahil Stupa or Dhando Chaitya, bearing inscriptions in both Brahmi and Bhujimol: The upper face is inscribed with Cha Ru Wa Ti in Brahmi, and with Cha Ru Wa Ti Dhande / He Tu Pra Bha in Bhujimol script. There are Swastika marks at the two ends of the upper face with a Chakra mark in between. The brick measures 35.5 cm x 23 cm x 7 cm and weighs 8.6 kg. The brick may date to as early as the 3rd century BC. [5] [6] The inscription is interpreted to refer to Charumati, a daughter of emperor Ashoka.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Masica, Colin (1993). The Indo-Aryan languages. p. 143.
  2. ↑ Lienhard, Siegfried (1992). Songs of Nepal: An Anthology of Nevar Folksongs and Hymns. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidas. ISBN   81-208-0963-7. Page 2.
  3. ↑ Shakya, Hemraj (1973). Nepal Lipi Prakash (in Nepali). Royal Nepal Academy. p. 7. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  4. ↑ Tamot, Kashinath (2017). "नेपालमा प्रचलित लिपिको परिचय (Nepalma Prachalit Lipiko Parichaya)". Internet Archive. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
  5. ↑ "Renovation work may prove Indian emperor built Nepal monastery | ThingsAsian". thingsasian.com. Retrieved 2022-09-03.
  6. ↑ "Charumati: The Princess and the Stupa". ECS NEPAL. Retrieved 2022-09-03.


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