Epigraphical Hybrid Sanskrit


Epigraphical Hybrid Sanskrit 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 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
  • 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 pāsādo''