Invitation to re-date protohistory of South Asia

RECEIVED truth with regard to the Brahmi Script is that it originated in the northern part of the landmass that is now known as India sometime in the 3rd Century BCE and that thanks to Emperor Asoka’s evangelical efforts, writing spread across South and Southeast Asia.

- BY MALINDA SENEVIRATNE

How then, Fernando asks, can one explain Brahmi script being used in Anuradhapura in the 4th Century BCE (see 'Passage to India? Anuradhapura and the early use of Brahmi Script' by Coningham, Allchin, Batt and Lucy) and 6th Century BCE (see 'The prehistory and protohistory of Sri Lanka', by S. Deraniyagala), and in Tamil Nadu in the 5th Century BCE (see 'New evidences on scientific dates for Brahmi script as revealed from Kodimanal excavations' by Dr. Rajan and V.P. Yatheeskumar)? That question disrupts the grand narrative about the true origin of the Brahmi script.

If it was just about a few characters on pottery shards and carbon dating, one can simply say "well, you don’t need an entire book to say it." True. Of course, sometimes one single artefact is a veritable wrecking ball that can bring down an entire edifice of 'history'. What is fascinating about Fernando’s effort, which by the way he acknowledges is not necessary a comprehensive academic thesis (because he is not a historian), is that he has meticulously perused multiple narratives drawn from historical maritime trade accounts as well as relatively recent academic forays into the origin of script.

For example, Fernando considers the work of George Buhler on Brahmi characters. He refers to the work of R.A.E. Coningham et al who shows that Buhler’s direct derivation of twenty two Brahmi characters from the Phoenician consonantal alphabet, remains by far the most convincing formulation among competing claims of Aramaic, Kharosthi and Indus Valley Civilisation derivations [which are all regarded as possible sources of the ‘North Indian’ Brahmi script].