| Kadamba script | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Script type | |
Time period | 4–7th century CE[1] |
| Direction | Left-to-right  |
| Languages | Kannada Telugu Sanskrit Konkani |
| Related scripts | |
Parent systems | |
Child systems | Kannada-Telugu alphabet,Goykanadi,[2]Pyu script[3] |
| This article containsphonetic transcriptions in theInternational Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). For an introductory guide on IPA symbols, seeHelp:IPA. For the distinction between[ ],/ / and ⟨ ⟩, seeIPA § Brackets and transcription delimiters. | |
| Brahmic scripts |
|---|
| TheBrahmi script and its descendants |
TheKadamba script is the firstwriting system devised specifically for writingKannada and it was later adopted to writeTelugu language.[4] The Kadamba script is also known asPre-Old-Kannada script.
The Kadamba script is one of the oldest of the southern group of theBrahmi script. By the 5th century CE it became distinct from other Brahmi variants and was used in southern Indian states ofKarnataka andAndhra Pradesh. It evolved into theKannada-Telugu alphabet by the 10th century CE and was used to writeKannada andTelugu.[5] It is also related to theSinhala script.[6]
During the rule ofKadamba dynasty (325-550), major change in the Brahmi script resulted in the Kadamba Kannada script, letters were shorter and round in shape. During (325 to 1000 AD) the rule of theWestern Ganga dynasty in the southern parts of Karnataka the Kannada script used differently (also known as Ganga script) in rock edicts and copper plate inscriptions. During 6th to 10th century, theTelugu-Kannada alphabet stabilized during the rule of theChalukyas of Badami from 500-1000[7] andRastrakutas.[citation needed]
