Epigraphical Hybrid Sanskrit

Epigraphical Hybrid Sanskrit (EHS) was a hybridized dialect of Prakrit and Sanskrit used in Indian inscriptions from the 1st century CE to the 4rd century CE.

It expanded out of Mathura, particularly in areas of Indo-Scythian and Kushana rule, and exhibited progressively increasing degrees of Sanskritization before giving way to Sanskrit proper, with which it previously coexisted along with Monumental Prakrit.

Characteristics

Epigraphical Hybrid Sanskrit inscriptions exhibited a spectrum of hybridization, from "Prakrit influenced by Sanskrit" on the one hand to "Sanskrit influenced by Prakrit" on the other.

Generally, it exhibited Sanskritic orthography / phonology (including unassimilated consonant clusters) together with Prakritic morphology and syntax.

Typical morphology:

• Nominative singular masculine ending for a-stems in -o instead of Sanskrit -aḥ
• Genitive singular masculine ending in -sya instead of Prakrit -ssa (or Sanskrit -oḥ for non-a-stems)
• Nominative singular masculine ending in -i for -in-stems
• Instrumental plural suffix -ehi instead of Sanskrit -bhis

Sample

A sample inscription from the Kankali Tila torana in Mathura:

bhadata-jayasenasya āṃtevāsinīye dhāmaghoṣaye dān[o] pāsādo

See also

• Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit

References