Ranjana script
Rañjanā script is is an Indic script used to write Sanskrit and the Newar language. The script developed during the 11th century CE and was used until the mid-20th century in India and Nepal by the Newar people of the Kathmandu Valley to write the Newar language and for writing Sanskrit Buddhist texts.[1][2]
The script, known as Lantsa in Tibetan, is also used within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition for writing the Sanskrit language, and thus is found in monasteries and on sacred objects throughout Tibetan and Himalayan regions.[1]
The Rañjanā script is also used for writing Sanskrit in East Asia, although the Siddham script is the most common script used for this purpose in East Asia.[1]
The Rañjanā script is one of a group of Nepalese scripts, which belong to the broader category of Indian Brahmic scripts.
History
Usage of the Ranjana script (and other Nepalese scripts) flourished in Nepal from the 11th century until the after the Gorkha conquest of the Kathmandu Valley in 1769.[3] The Gorkha rulers began to eliminate the use of Nepalese scripts in administration and trade. The Rana dynasty (1846-1951) completely replaced Nepalese scripts. The Newar language was removed from education, and the government abolished the use of textbooks and documents written in Nepalese scripts, favoring instead the the Devanagari script.[3] "In 1941, all writers and poets using [Nepalese scripts] were thrown in jail, and their property confiscated. 1941, all writers and poets using it were thrown in jail, and their property confiscated."[3]
More recently, Nepalese scripts, including the Ranjana script are being learned and used again within the Newar community of Nepal.[3][4]
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Nepal Lipi - The Nepalese Scripts, jwajalapa at archive.org
- ↑ Ranjana script, Omniglot
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Ranjana, ScriptSource
- ↑ After being largely replaced by Devanagari, Nepal Bhasa scripts are making a comeback, Kathamandu Post
Further reading
Ranjana script, Wikipedia
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