Dravida Maayaa of Mahadevan A Rejoinder To Iravatham Mahadevan's Hurried Claim of Tamil/Dravida Decipherment of Indus Script (S. Kalyanaraman, 2014)

Dravida maayaa of Mahadevan
A rejoinder to Iravatham Mahadevans hurried claim of

Tamil/Dravida decipherment of Indus Script
This is in reference to the claim made by Iravatham Mahadevan, 2014, Dravidian Proof of the Indus Script
via the Rig Veda: A case study, Bulletin of the Indus Research Centre, No. 4, November 2014 and also
reported in The Hindu of November 15, 2014. This Mahadevan monograph is available as Gift Siromaney
Endowment Lecture 2014 at www.mrl.in http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/indus-scriptearly-form-of-dravidian-iravatham-mahadevan/article6600394.ece
At the outset, I should compliment and pay my respects to my guru, Iravatham Mahadevan who has
devoted decades of his illustrious life to the study of Indus Script. I submit this refutation in the traditional
spirit with which Mandana Misra and Sankara debated arbitrated by Ubhaya Bharati without any intention
to generate heat which will make the garlands of flowers wither. This is submitted in all humility lacte
gratuite (as unmotivated action) consistent with the dictum: ekam sat vipraah bahudhaa vadanti. I am
sure Iravatam Mahadevan will agree with me at least on this framework of humble submission of mine,
though I am no vipra, I am a mere student of Sarasvati-Sindhu (Hindu) civilization.
Dravida maayaa is closely linked to the identity politics of Tamil Nadu founded on myths of false Dravida
identities. It is a matter of utter sadness when such identity traps get reflected in scholastic fora lending
credibility to the false dravida identities distinct from the identy of Bharatam janam attested in a text
attributed to Rishi Viswamitra (Rigved 3.53.12). I am citing this because Mahadevan also cites Rigveda in
another context of his loan translations myths.
An extraordinary, non-falsifiable assertion by Mahadevan is a new idiom in linguistic studies called loan
translations. He uses this idiom to link ampalam, assembly; ampali gruel, porridge to vidatha assembly
and divinity Pushan with karambha gruel. This is further premised on the unauthenticated obiter dicta:
Aryan-speaking people migrated into South Asia in the second millennium BCE, in the wake of the
decline and the eventual collapse of the Indus CivilisationThe language of the Indus Civilisatio was an
early form of DravidianThe Vedic Age succeeded he Indus Civilisation.
How to falsify such articles of faith as Mahadevans which run counter to other scholars statements such
as the continuum of Indus Civilisation in Bharatam by continued worship of Sivalinga, wearing sindhur at
the parting of the hair by married women, veneration of sankha (turbinella pyrum) used for bangles on a
womans hand found in a burial in Mehergarh dated to ca. 6,500 BCE, the Rigveda ante-dating even
Avestan (pace Nicholas Kazanas works) and the realit of Indian sprachbund (linguistic area) attested by
MB Emeneau who was a co-author of a Dravidian Etymologial Dictionary?
I submit that Mahadevan has rushed to judgment without examining the Indus script corpora
containing the use of what he claims to be a back of a wolf WOLF for brevity hieroglyph on
Mohenjo-daro tablet m0337, assuming that he expects consistency of his decipherment of this
hieroglyph (or what he calls sign). It is surprising that Mahadevan has chosen to ignore scores of
inscriptions containing what he calls the wolf hieroglyph.
I read the hieroglyph as a signifier of a scorpion not a wolf -- with accent on the pointed sting on its
tail. The rebus reading is: bicha scorpion Rebus: bica hematite Iron ore. Two other types of iron ore,
pola and gota are also detailed in Indus script corpora: pola (magnetite), gota (laterite), This
decipherment can be debated separately since the purport of this note is refute Mahadevans claims of
decipherment of wolf sign and other related signs read as Dravida/Tamil.
It is also surprising that he has chosen not to review another hieroglyph (ficus religiosa leaf) which has
ligatured ears identical to the ligatures on his wolf hieroglyph or sign.
On a more fundamental basis, Mahadevans claim of reading Dravidian/Tamil in the particular Mohenjodaro tablet m337 is inconsistent with the growing evidence of an Indian sprachbund (linguistic area) which
explains the presence of glosses common to Munda, Dravidian and Indo-Aryan language streams.
I would like an opportunity to present my views to the same forum in which Mahadevan has announced
his claims. Herewith a monograph which constitutes the refutation of Mahadevans claims of
decipherment which can be published as a Bulletin of the Indus Research Centre to provide a fair
opportunity for a critical refutation of the Bulletin No. 4 for researchers to evaluate and come to their
conclusions.
On the question of his claim via the Rig Veda I find that his claims violate occams razor. If there are
cultural parallels, they should also be found in the glosses which constituted the parole of the civilization
as contrasted with the literary versions of chandas.
I have made a contrary submission herein that1) the underlying language of the Indus script is the parole,
lingua franca of the civilization spoken as a proto-Prakrit dialect -- by Meluhha (cognate Mleccha) and
2) the hieroglyphs (both field symbols and signs) read rebus on Indus Script are short draft memoranda
of metalwork by Meluhha artisans/merchants. This stands the test of most of the inscriptions of the Indus
Script corpora presented in my works, the latest of which is: Indus Script Meluhha metalwork
hieroglyphs (2014).
It is from this work, the following rebus readings are excerpted as a refutation of Mahadevans hurried
claims. I request Iravatham Mahadevan to comment on the readings based on the rebus Meluhha cipher.
m377a aya aaren (homonym: aduru)alloy native metal aya kammaa.coiner, mint alloy
The pair of hieroglyph signs are compositions: bicha scorpion (Assamese)
Rebus: bica stone ore (Santali) The pairing sign is a composition of: sloping
PLUS two short strokes of a splinter:dh a slope; inclination of a plane
stroke
hiyum = adj. sloping, inclining (Gujarati) Rebus: hlako = a large metal
(Gujarati);
ingot (Gujarati) hlak = a metal heated and poured into a mould; a solid piece of metal; an ingot
(Gujarati)PLUSsal splinter Rebus: sal workshop. Thus the composition reads: hlako sal ingot
workshop.
du cross(Telugu) Rebus: dhatu mineral (Santali).
kanka rim of jar Rebus: karka account (scribe) kar supercargo
bicha scorpion (Santali) Rebus: bica, bica-diri stone ore (Munda etyma) kuire bica duljad.ko talkena,
they were feeding the furnace with ore (Santali)
The pair of hieroglyph signs are compositions: bicha scorpion (Assamese) Rebus: bica
stone ore (Santali) The pairing sign is a composition of: sloping stroke PLUS two short
strokes of a splinter:dh a slope; inclination of a plane (Gujarati); hiyum = adj.
sloping, inclining (Gujarati) Rebus: hlako = a large metal ingot (Gujarati) hlak = a metal
heated and poured into a mould; a solid piece of metal; an ingot (Gujarati)PLUSsal splinter Rebus: sal
workshop. Thus the composition reads: hlako sal ingot workshop.
Sibri cylinder seal with Indus writing hieroglyphs: notches, zebu, tiger, scorpion?. Source: Jarrige,
Catherine, Jean-Franois Jarrige, Richard H. Meadow, and Gonzague Quivron, editors (1995/1996)
Mehrgarh: Field Reports 1974-1985 - From Neolithic Times to the Indus Civilization. The Reports of
Eleven Seasons of Excavations in Kachi District, Balochistan, by the French Archaeological Mission to
Pakistan. Sindh, Pakistan: The Department of Culture and Tourism, Government of Sindh, Pakistan, in
Collaboration with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
http://bharatkalyan97.blogspot.com/2013/07/ancient-near-east-transition-fro-bullae.html
Each dot on the corner of the + glyph and the short numeral strokes on a cylinder seal of Sibri, may
denote a notch:
[ kh ] m A jag, notch, or indentation (as upon the edge of a tool or weapon).
(Marathi) Rebus:kh tools, pots and pans, metal-ware,

kol 'tiger' Rebus: kol 'working in iron'; kolhe smelter.
adar dangra zebu bos indicus (Santali) Rebus: aduru native metal (Kannada); hangar blacksmith
(Maithili)
http://bharatkalyan97.blogspot.com/2014/04/continuity-in-hieroglyph-motifs-from.html
Flag hieroglyph together with splinter hieroglyph occurs twice on Kalibangan seal 10A,
reinforcing the rebus semantics of ko workshop:
The pictorial motif hieroglyph connotes turner:
[kha] m A young bull, a bullcalf. (Marathi) Rebus: kdr turner (Bengali);
engraver, lapidary setting or infixing gems (Marathi) G. sgh m. lathe ;
sga double-canoe Rebus: sangataras.
knda
oinery; M.
lit. to collect stones, stone-cutter, mason.
First segment of text on K-10A reads: kanac corner Rebus: kacu bronze ranku liquid measure Rebus
ranku tin sal splinter Rebus: sal workshop ko workshop. It is possible sal workshop is a smeltersmithy while ko is a forge.
Second segment of text reads: kar, supercargo for a boat shipment; dhatu mineral ore;
kh tools, pots and pans, metal-ware; bicha scorpion Rebus: bica stone ore; sal ko
smithy, forge.
Read together with the zebu hieroglyph Segments 1 and 2 on Seal m1893 read rebus: supoercargo
account of bronze, metal casting with tin, (of) native-metal-smith guild or community. Thus, the text
m1893 describes: bronze workshop, cast metal bronze, supercargo (account scribe) kanka (Santali)
karika scribe(Sanskrit) Rebus: kar, supercargo for a boat shipment.
Each sign in the text is a hieroglyph read rebus:
kana, kanac = corner (Santali); Rebus: kacu = bronze (Telugu) ksya made of bell -- metal
Ktyr., n. bell -- metal Yj., cup of bell -- metal MBh., aka -- n. bell -- metal . 2. *ksiya
-- . [kas -- 1]1. Pa. kasa -- m. (?) bronze , Pk. kasa -- , ksa -- n. bell -- metal, drinking vessel,
cymbal ; L. (Jukes) k adj. of metal , aw. ks jar ( E with -- s -- , notj); N. kso bronze,
pewter, white metal , kas -- ku metal alloy ; A. kh bell -- metal , B. ks, Or. ks, Bi. ks;
Bhoj. ks bell -- metal , ks base metal ; H.ks, ks m. bell -- metal , G. ks n., M. ks n.;
Ko. k n. bronze ; Si. kasa bell -- metal .2. L. kih m. bell -- metal , P. kss, ks f.,
H. ks f.(CDIAL 2987)
[ kacamu ] kansamu. [Telugu] n. A metal plate or dish.
a dish
[ kacaravu ] or
made of bell metal.

coppersmith.
beetle called the death watch.

metal.
kansara-vau. [Telugu] n. A brazier, a
a woman of that caste.

kansu. n. Bell metal.
a cymbal made of bell metal.
metal. Sunbright.
kansari-purugu. n. A kind of
a bowl or vessel or bell
as bright or dazzling as the glitter of polished
she spoke shrilly or with a voice as clear as a bell.
koi flag (Tamil)(DEDR 2049). Rebus 1: ko workshop (Kuwi) Rebus 2: kh m. pit, kh f.

small pit (Kashmiri. CDIAL 3947).
Number 2 hieroglyph: dol two Rebus: dul cast (metal)
Bent pair of lines hieroglyph: kuila bent; Rebus: kuila, katthl = bronze (8 parts
copper and 2 parts tin) [cf. ra-ka, brass (Sanskrit) CDIAL 3230 kui in cmpd.
curve, kuika bent MBh. [ku 1] Ext. in H. kuuk f. coil of string or rope;
M. ku m. palm contracted and hollowed, kuap to curl over, crisp, contract.
CDIAL 3231 kuil bent, crooked Ktyr., aka Pacat., n. a partic. plant [ku 1]
Pa. kuila bent, n. bend; Pk. kuila crooked, illa humpbacked, illaya bentDEDR 2054 (a)
Ta. kou curved, bent, crooked; koumai crookedness, obliquity; koukki hooked bar for fastening doors,
clasp of an ornament. A pair of curved lines: dol likeness, picture, form [e.g., two tigers, two bulls, signpair.] Kashmiri. dula
m. a pair, a couple, esp. of two similar things (Rm. 966). Rebus: dul
mee cast iron (Mundari. Santali) dul to cast metal in a mould (Santali) pasra meed, pasra meed =
syn. of koe meed = forged iron, in contrast to dul meed, cast iron (Mundari.) Thus, dul kut.ila cast
bronze.
'rim-of-jar' hieroglyph kanka (Santali) karika scribe(Sanskrit) Rebus: kar, supercargo for a
boat shipment. karka account (scribe).
kra the supercargo of a ship (Marathi)
[ karadhra ] m S (A holder of the ear.) A helmsman or steersman

[dakuakara] m An hereditary officer of a Mahl. He frames the general account from the accounts of
the several Khots and Kulkarn s of the villages within the Mah l; the district-accountant.
Lothal 51A
What was the bica stone ore depicted by a scorpion ligatured Meluhha hieroglyph?
Text of inscription: aya aaren (homonym: aduru)alloy native metal aya ka alloy metalware
kamaha crab Rebus: kammaa mint, coiner.ato = claws of crab (Santali) Rebus: dhtu
mineral ore
PLUS
[ kh ] m A jag, notch, or indentation (as upon the edge of a tool or
weapon). Rebus: ka tools, pots and pans and metal-ware Thus, mint metalware, ore.
kolom three Rebus: kolami smithy, forge with circumscript: | koa one Rebus: ko workshop dula
pair Rebus: dul cast metal. Thus metal smithy castings workshop.
An answer is provided by glosses for three mineral ores in Asuri parole to distinguish among three types
of ferrite (iron) ores: pola (magnetite), gota (laterite), bichi (hematite) -- all three Meluhha glosses -- are
three varieties of minerals with sources for alloying metals.
bichi, hematite
bicha scorpion (Assamese) Rebus: bica stone ore (Santali)
Note: In addition to bica stone ore, a mineral/metal denoted with the use of comparable unique
ligatures is the following hieroglyph:
loa ficus religiosa Rebus: lo iron (Sanskrit), lha copper (Prakrit) PLUS unique
ligatures:
grievously.
[lkhaa ] n (
S) Iron.
or
To oppress
[ lkhaakma ] n Iron work; that portion (of a building, machine
&c.) which consists of iron. 2 The business of an ironsmith.
[ lkha ] a (
) Composed
of iron; relating to iron. (Marathi) The gloss loh refers to copper later applied to iron. lh red,
copper -- coloured rS., made of copper Br., m.n. copper VS., iron MBh. [*rudh -]Pa. lha -- m. metal, esp. copper or bronze ; Pk. lha -- m. iron B. lo, no, Or. loh, luh,
Mth. loh, Bhoj. loh, Aw.lakh. lh, H. loh, loh m., G. M. loh n.; Si. loho, l metal, ore, iron
WPah.kg. (kc.) l iron , J. loh m., Garh. loho; Md. l metal .Pk. lhra -- m. blacksmith ,
S. luharu m., L. lohr m., r f., aw. luhr (CDIAL 11158, 11159).
pola, magnetite
The hieroglyph is stylized beehive or honeycomb ligatured with horns and
currycomb hieroglyph.
This has two rows of 12 PLUS 12 holes connoting cast two rows of:
baroi twelve bhrata a factitious alloy of copper, pewter, tin (Marathi) dula pair Rebus: dul cast
metal. The cast metal is pewter called in Meluhha barao = spine; backbone (Tulu) Rebus: baran,
bharat mixed alloys (5 copper, 4 zinc and 1 tin) (Punjabi).
ku horn (Kannada. Tulu. Tamil) Rebus: ku horn Rebus: workshop. Also ligatured is a hieroglyph
ligature which denotes a hard alloy (perhaps derived from adding magnetite ore):
khareo = a currycomb (Gujarati)

Rebus:
[ kharr ] m ( H) A currycomb. 2 Currying a horse. (Marathi)
[kara] Hard from alloy--iron, silver &c. (Marathi) khard turner (Gujarati)
Rebus reading of the hieroglyph: pol hollow, (honecomb) Rebus: pola, magnetite ore PLUS ku horn
Rebus: ku workshop PLUS khareo currycomb Rebus: kara hard alloy
[ pola ] or
pola.
[ polusu ][Telugu] A scale of a fish.
fish. Te. pola, polasu, polusu id. Kui plkosi id. (DEDR 4480).
[Telugu] Firmness,
."
. Tu. poas scales of

[ polupu ] or
polupu.
." Rukmang. i. 158
Russian gloss, bulat is cognate pola 'magnetite' iron in Asuri (Meluhha) language?
Magnetite is the most magnetic of all the naturally occurring igneous and metamorphic rocks with black or
brownish-black with a metallic luster. These magnetite ore stones could have been identified as pola iron
by Meluhha speakers. Kannada gloss pola meaning 'point of the compass' may link with the characteristic
of magnetite iron used to create a compass.
1. Ku. nak -- po nostril ; N. poro small hole (or < 2); G. po n. thin scaly crust (semant. cf. *pppa - ); M. po, n. honeycomb (or < 3: semant. cf. *pka-- ) L. pol hollow, porous, loose (of soil) ; M.
see 1.4. Pk. polla -- , aa -- , pulla -- hollow ; P. poll hollow , pol m., pul f. hollowness ; Or. pola
hollow , sb. puffed -- up pastry , pol empty ; G. poli f. cavity , pol , polr hollow , pol n.
hollowness ; M. pol n. empty tube or grain , pol hollow ; WPah.kg. poll hollow , J. pol.(CDIAL
8398) Br. pl hollow, empty; Ta. poal boring a hole, chiselling, hole, rent, fissure, hollow in a tree; po,
poai hole; Kuwi. porongo hollow; (Isr.) polog hollow in a tree. (DEDR 4560)
gota, laterite
The gloss used by Meluhha speakers for laterite iron ores is gota.
In rebus readings of some hieroglyphs, the decipherment has been suggested as:
dulo hole Rebus: dul cast metal.
An alternative reading could be that the hieroglyph denoted goda, laterite, deploying small globular
shapes to denote go a fruit, whole piece. In Munda etyma, the gloss go is used as a numeral intensive
suffix. Rebus reading of the hieroglyph can thus refer to metal castings achieved using gota, laterite
mineral ore. This is a possible alternative technical specification reading as alloys with laterite ores -- for
hieroglyphs deciphered as dul cast metal.
Thus, when three linear strokes are deployed the rebus reading could be: kolmo goa 'count of three'
Rebus: kolami got 'furnace for laterite stone ore'. Almost all hieroglyphs with use of numeral counts can
be read with this suffix: goa 'numerative particle'.
Laterites are rusty soil types with iron oxides rich in iron and aluminium. They are formed in hot and wet
tropical areas. Laterites can be easily cut with a spade into regular-sized blocks.
P. go gold or silver lace , H. go m. edging of such ( K. goa m. edging of gold braid ,

S. goo m. gold or silver lace ); M. go hem of a garment, metal wristlet (CDIAL 4271)
Kur. go any seed which forms inside a fruit or shell. Malt. goa a seed or berry(DEDR 069) N. goo
piece , goi chess piece ; A. go a fruit, whole piece , globular, solid , gui small ball, seed, kernel
; B. go seed, bean, whole ; Or. go whole, undivided , M. go m. roundish stone (CDIAL 4271)
<gOTa>(P) {ADJ} ``^whole''. {SX} ``^numeral întensive suffix''. *Kh., Sa., Mu., Ho<goTA>,B.<goTa>
ùndivided'; Kh.<goThaG>(P), Sa.<goTAG>,~<gOTe'j>, Mu.<goTo>; Sad.<goT>, O., Bh.<goTa>;
cf.Ju.<goTo> `piece', O.<goTa> òne'. %11811. #11721. <goTa>(BD) {NI} ``the ^whole''. *@. #10971.
(Munda etyma)
Rebus: <gota> {N} ``^stone''. @3014. #10171. Note: The stone may be gota, laterite mineral ore stone.
kho m. base, alloy (Punjabi) Rebus: koe forging (metal)(Mu.) Rebus: go f. lump of silver' (G.) goi =
silver (G.) ko workshop (Gujarati).
m1691a
knda engraver, lapidary setting or infixing gems (Marathi) G. sgh m. lathe ;
oinery; M. sga double-canoe Rebus: sangataras.
lit. to collect stones, stone-
cutter, mason.
kuila bent CDIAL 3230 kui in cmpd. curve, kuika bent MBh. Rebus: kuila, katthl = bronze (8
parts copper and 2 parts tin) Duplicated: dula pair Rebus; dul cast metal
aya kammaa.coiner, mint alloy
The pair of hieroglyph signs are compositions: bicha scorpion (Assamese) Rebus: bica stone
ore (Santali) The pairing sign is a composition of: sloping stroke PLUS two short strokes of a
splinter:dh a slope; inclination of a plane (Gujarati); hiyum = adj. sloping, inclining
(Gujarati) Rebus: hlako = a large metal ingot (Gujarati) hlak = a metal heated and poured into a
mould; a solid piece of metal; an ingot (Gujarati)PLUSsal splinter Rebus: sal workshop. Thus the
composition reads: hlako sal ingot workshop.

h282A
dula pair Rebus: dul cast (metal) PLUSkana, kanac = corner (Santali);
Rebus: kacu = bronze (Telugu) PLUS infixed kolmo paddy plant Rebus:
kolami smithy, forge.
muh ingot (Santali)Thus,
Thus, cast bronze smithy, forge. Or, mogge sprout, bud Rebus:
cast bronze ingot. Read as: kacu dul muh bron e cast ingot
aar 'harrow'; rebus: aduru 'native unsmelted metal

ayo fish Rebus: aya iron ayas metal
khr, kc. kuhr m. granary, storeroom (WPah.)(CDIAL 3550). kohr m. storekeeper
(Gujarati)(CDIAL 3551) Thus, storeroom (of) kolom three Rebus: kolami smithy, forge. dula
pair Rebus: dul cast metal Thus, together dul kolami kuhr metal smithy castings storeroom
kuila
(8
bent CDIAL 3230 kui in cmpd. curve, kuika bent MBh. Rebus: kuila, katthl = bronze
parts copper and 2 parts tin)
ranku liquid measure Rebus: ranku tin
kolmo paddy plant Rebus: kolami smithy, forge Vikalpa: mogge sprout, bud Rebus: muh ingot
(Santali) dolu plant of shoot height Rebus: dul cast metal

h661Adula pair Rebus: dul cast (metal) PLUSkana, kanac = corner (Santali); Rebus: kacu =
bronze (Telugu) PLUS infixed kolmo paddy plant Rebus: kolami smithy, forge. Thus, cast
bronze smithy, forge. Or, mogge sprout, bud Rebus: muh ingot (Santali)Thus, cast bronze ingot.
Read as: kacu dul muh
bron e cast ingot dula two Rebus: dul cast metal
baroi twelve bhrata a factitious alloy of copper, pewter, tin (Marathi)

m1676a
[kha] m A young bull, a bullcalf. (Marathi) Rebus: kdr turner
(Bengali);
knda engraver, lapidary setting or infixing gems (Marathi) G. sgh m.
lathe ;
lit. to collect
stones, stone-cutter, mason.

dula pair Rebus: dul cast (metal) PLUSkana, kanac = corner (Santali); Rebus: kacu = bronze
(Telugu) PLUS infixed kolmo paddy plant Rebus: kolami smithy, forge. Thus, cast bronze
smithy, forge. Or, mogge sprout, bud Rebus: muh ingot (Santali)Thus, cast bronze ingot. Read
as: kacu dul muh
bron e cast ingot dula two Rebus: dul cast metal aya ka alloy metalware
kao stool, seat Rebus: ka metalware kaa fire-altar PLUS
mu height, rising ground, hillock (Kannada) Rebus: mht, me iron (Munda.Ho.) Thus, iron
alloy metalware
ranku liquid measure Rebus: ranku tin. sal splinter Rebus: sal workshop
kana, kanac = corner (Santali); Rebus: kacu = bronze (Telugu) PLUS
[ kh ] m A jag,
notch, or indentation (as upon the edge of a tool or weapon). Rebus: ka tools, pots and pans and
metal-ware Thus, bronze metalware.
Arrow sign hieroglyph (variant) This is a ligature of lid of pot hieroglyph superscript on a linear
stroke numeral hieroglyph.aaren cover of pot or lid Rebus: aduru native, unsmelted metal
PLUS ko = one (Santali); ko workshop (G.)
dula pair Rebus: dul cast metal mogge sprout, bud Rebus: muh ingot (Santali) Thus, cast metal
ingot.
m1200a
(Bengali);
lathe ;
lit. to collect
stones, stone-cutter, mason.

barao = spine; backbone (Tulu) Rebus: baran, bharat mixed alloys (5 copper, 4 zinc and 1 tin)
(Punjabi) kna arrow (Sanskrit) Rebus:khna tools, pots and pans, metal-ware. Rebus 2: ka 'firealtar' (Santali)
muka ladle (Tamil)(DEDR 4887) Rebus: muh ingot (Santali) baa = rimless pot (Kannada)
Rebus: ) baa = a kind of iron (G.) ) bhaa furnace (Gujarati) Thus, iron ingot.
Variant:
m133A
knda engraver, lapidary setting or infixing gems (Marathi) G.
(Bengali);
sgh m. lathe ;

loa ficus religiosa Rebus: lo iron (Sanskrit) PLUS unique ligatures:
Iron.
or
To oppress grievously.
[lkhaa ] n (
S)
[ lkhaakma ] n Iron work;
that portion (of a building, machine &c.) which consists of iron. 2 The business of an
ironsmith.
[ lkha ] a (
) Composed of iron; relating to iron. (Marathi)
parts copper and 2 parts tin) Duplicated: dula pair Rebus: dul cast metal Thus, cast bronze.
[ kh ] m A jag,
metal-ware Thus, bronze metalware. INFIXED: kolom three Rebus: kolami smithy, forge.
bicha scorpion (Assamese) Rebus: bica stone ore (Santali) ayo fish Rebus: aya iron ayas metal
aya kammaa.coiner, mint alloy kamaha crab Rebus: kammaa mint, coiner.
ato = claws of crab (Santali) Rebus: dhtu mineral ore
kolom three Rebus: kolami smithy, forge with circumcript: | koa one Rebus: ko workshop dula
pair Rebus: dul cast metal. Thus metal smithy castings workshop.
h1862 Side A:
10

Iron.
or
[lkhaa ] n (
S)
ironsmith.
[ lkha ] a (

[ kharr ] m ( H) A currycomb. 2 Currying a horse.
[kara] Hard from alloy--iron, silver &c. (Marathi) khard turner
(Marathi) Rebus:
(Gujarati)
kolom three Rebus: kolami smithy, forge baa = rimless pot (Kannada) Rebus: ) baa = a kind of
iron (G.) ) bhaa furnace (Gujarati) Side B: Duplicated body: dula pair Rebus: dul cast metal
PLUS me body Rebus: me iron (Ho.)
(Marathi) Rebus:
[ kh ] f (
S) frame or structure of the body
[ kha ] measure of weight (Marathi)
; kai, n. < Mhr. khail. [T.
Tu. khai, M. kai.] Candy, a weight, stated to be roughly equivalent to 500 lbs. Thus, iron castings.
koi flag (Ta.)(DEDR 2049). Rebus 1: ko workshop (Kuwi) Rebus 2: kh m. pit, kh f. small
pit (Kashmiri. CDIAL 3947). kolom three Rebus: kolami smithy, forge baa = rimless pot (Kannada)
Rebus: ) baa = a kind of iron (G.) ) bhaa furnace (Gujarati)
m212A
or
oinery; M.

Iron.
knda
[lkhaa ] n (
S)
ironsmith.
[ lkha ] a (
kolom three Rebus: kolami smithy, forge
| koa one Rebus: ko workshop PLUS |||| Numeral 4: gaa 'four' Rebus: kaa 'furnace, fire-altar'
(Santali)
m1128A rngo water buffalo bull (Ku.N.)(CDIAL 10559) Rebus: rango pewter pattar
trough Rebus: pattar guild.Thus, pewter guild.
]n(
S) Iron.
or
[lkhaa
[
lkhaakma ] n Iron work; that portion (of a building, machine &c.) which consists
of iron. 2
The business of an ironsmith.
11
[ lkha ] a (
) Composed of iron;
relating to iron. (Marathi)

m1666a
knda engraver, lapidary setting or infixing gems (Marathi) G. sgh
(Bengali);
m. lathe ;
lit. to
collect stones, stone-cutter, mason.

Iron.
or
[lkhaa ] n (
S)
ironsmith.
[ lkha ] a (
) Composed of iron; relating to iron. (Marathi) kha field, division
(Sanskrit) Rebus: khna tools, pots and pans, metal-ware. Rebus 2: ka 'fire-altar' (Santali)
INFIXED kolom three Rebus: kolami smithy, forge
h598A
(Bengali);
knda engraver, lapidary setting or infixing gems (Marathi) G.
sgh m. lathe ;

dula pair Rebus: dul cast metal PLUS loa ficus religiosa Rebus: lo iron (Sanskrit) PLUS
unique ligatures:
grievously.
[lkhaa ] n (
S) Iron.
or
To oppress
[ lkhaakma ] n Iron work; that portion (of a building, machine &c.) which
[ lkha ] a (
consists of iron. 2 The business of an ironsmith.
) Composed of iron; relating to
iron. (Marathi) Thus, together, iron castings PLUS INFIXED kamaha crab Rebus: kammaa mint,
coiner.
ato = claws of crab (Santali) Rebus: dhtu mineral ore. Thus mint, mineral ore iron castings.
12
strokes of a splinter:dh a slope; inclination of a plane (Gujarati); hiyum = adj. sloping, inclining
dh a slope; inclination of a plane (G.); hiyum = adj. sloping, inclining (G.) Rebus: hlako = a
large metal ingot (G.) hlak = a metal heated and poured into a mould; a solid piece of metal; an
ingot (Gujarati) PLUS dula pair Rebus: dul cast metal sal splinter Rebus: sal workshop. Thus,
hlako dul sal ingot, cast metal workshop.
aya kammaa.coiner, mint alloy PLUS sal splinter Rebus: sal workshop. Thus mint alloy workshop.
(Gujarati)(CDIAL 3551) Thus, storeroom (of) kolom three Rebus: kolami smithy, forge. Dula
m1548A aya ka alloy metalwareT

he pair of hieroglyph signs are compositions: bicha scorpion (Assamese) Rebus:
bica stone ore (Santali) The pairing sign is a composition of: sloping stroke PLUS
two short strokes of a splinter:dh a slope; inclination of a plane (Gujarati);
hiyum = adj. sloping,
inclining (Gujarati) Rebus: hlako = a large metal ingot (Gujarati)
hlak = a metal
heated and poured into a mould; a solid piece of metal; an ingot
(Gujarati)PLUSsal
splinter Rebus: sal workshop. Thus the composition reads: hlako
sal ingot
workshop.
m1156a Read rebus as at m1548A PLUS ibha elephant Rebus: ib iron ibbo
merchant (Gujarati)
m71A Read rebus for first two signs as at m1078A PLUS

kanka
three
rim of jar Rebus: karka account (scribe) kar supercargo INFIXED kolom
Rebus: kolamii smithy, forge PLUS ayo fish Rebus: aya iron ayas metal aya
kammaa.coiner, mint alloy
13
sloping, inclining (Gujarati) Rebus: hlako = a large metal ingot (Gujarati) hlak = a metal heated and
poured into a mould; a solid piece of metal; an ingot (Gujarati)PLUSsal splinter Rebus: sal workshop.
Thus the composition reads: hlako sal ingot workshop.
m1078A Zebu horns ligatured to a young bull. Thus a native metal

smith guild PLUS turner, engraver.
[kha] m A young bull, a
bullcalf. (Marathi) Rebus: kdr turner (Bengali);
knda
engraver, lapidary setting or infixing gems (Marathi) G. sgh m.

lathe ;
notch+slanted stroke reads rebus: hlako ka ingot, tools, pots and pans and metalware.dh a slope; inclination of a plane (G.); hiyum = adj. sloping, inclining (G.) Rebus:
hlako = a large metal ingot (G.) hlak = a metal heated and poured into a mould; a solid
[ kh ] m A jag, notch, or indentation (as upon
piece of metal; an ingot (Gujarati) PLUS
the edge of a tool or weapon). Rebus: ka tools, pots and pans and metal-ware
kanka (Santali) karika scribe(Sanskrit) Rebus: kar, supercargo for a boat shipment. INFIXED
weapon). Rebus: ka tools, pots and pans and metal-ware
ra six Rebus: ra brass PLUS sal splinter Rebus: sal workshop

Iron.
or
[lkhaa ] n (
S)
ironsmith.
[ lkha ] a (

(Gujarati)(CDIAL 3551) Thus, storeroom (of) kolom three Rebus:
m369A
14
INFIXED sal splinter Rebus: sal workshop
as: kacu dul muh bron e cast ingot

lathe ;
oinery; M. sga double-canoe Rebus: sangataras stone-
cutter, mason

Rebus:
me body Rebus: me iron (Ho.)

Rebus:
[ kh ] f (
S) frame or structure of the body (Marathi)
; kai, n. < Mhr. khail. [T. Tu. khai,
M. kai.] Candy, a weight, stated to be roughly equivalent to 500 lbs.

]n(
S) Iron.
or
15
[lkhaa
[
lkhaakma ] n Iron work; that portion (of a building, machine &c.) which consists of iron. 2 The
business of an ironsmith.
[ lkha ] a (
) Composed of iron; relating to iron. (Marathi) bhaa
warrior (Sanskrit) Rebus: baa a kind of iron (Gujarati). Rebus: bhaa furnace (Santali) Thus, together,
the ligatured hieroglyph reads rebus: loa bhaa iron furnace sal splinter Rebus: sal workshop
INFIXED

h461A

oinery; M. sga double-canoe Rebus: sangataras stone-cutter, mason
bicha scorpion (Assamese) Rebus: bica stone ore (Santali) baa = rimless pot (Kannada) Rebus: )
baa = a kind of iron (G.) ) bhaa furnace (Gujarati) dula pair Rebus: dul cast metal sal splinter Rebus:
sal workshop
Iron.
or
[lkhaa ] n (
S)
ironsmith.
[ lkha ] a (

Rebus:
[ kh ] f (

MS5059
(Bengali);
m. lathe ;
oinery; M. sga double-canoe Rebus: sangataras stone-cutter,
mason
INFIXED dulo hole Rebus: dul cast metal
16
kha field, division (Skt.) Rebus: khna tools, pots and pans, metal-ware. Rebus 2: ka
'fire-altar' (Santali) dula pair Rebus: dul cast metal Thus, duplicated division hieroglyph sign
reads: cast metal metal-ware. kamaha archer, bow Rebus: kammaa mint, coiner.
Rebus:
arae lizard Rebus: aira anvil. Vikalpa: karvu crocodile Rebus: khara blacksmith
cmara black ant Rebus: cmara copper. cmara kra -- coppersmith
baroi twelve bhrata a factitious alloy of copper, pewter, tin (Marathi)
Scorpion sting sign hieroglyph with unique ligatures and pairing hieroglyph
bica stone ore PLUS hlako a large metal ingot

Nindowari 2a
(Bengali);
m. lathe ;
mason bica stone ore PLUS kamaha crab Rebus: kammaa mint, coiner.

Rebus:
m222a

oinery; M. sga double-canoe Rebus: sangataras stone-cutter, mason bica
stone ore khuo leg, foot , goat's leg Rebus: kh alloy (Marathi) vgo f. flying
fox Rebus: bagala Arab boat
17
m414a bica stone ore
Arrow sign hieroglyph (variant) This is a ligature of lid of pot hieroglyph superscript on a
linear stroke numeral hieroglyph.aaren cover of pot or lid Rebus: aduru native, unsmelted metal PLUS
ko = one (Santali); ko workshop (Gujarati) ayo fish Rebus: aya iron ayas metal
m455A Read rebus as at m950a
m857a Read rebus as at m950a
[kha] m A young bull, a bullcalf.
m950a
knda engraver,
(Marathi) Rebus: kdr turner
(Bengali);
lapidary setting or infixing gems (Marathi) G.
sgh m. lathe ;
M. sga double-canoe Rebus: sangataras stonePLUS hlako a large metal ingot
cutter, mason bica stone ore
oinery;

kanka rim of jar Rebus: karka accountant
h97A bagala pleiades Rebus: bagalo = an Arabian merchant vessel (G.) bagala = an
Arab boat of a particular description (Ka.); bagal (M.); bagarige, bagarage = a kind
of vessel (Ka.)
the edge of a tool or weapon). Rebus: ka tools, pots and pans and metal-ware kole.l temple Rebus:
kolami smithy PLUS kolom three Rebus: kolami smith, forge (Hieroglyphic -Phonetic semantic
determinant)
bicha scorpion (Assamese) Rebus: bica stone ore (Santali) muka ladle (Tamil)(DEDR 4887)
Rebus: muh ingot (Santali) baa = rimless pot (Kannada) Rebus: ) baa = a kind of iron (G.) ) bhaa
furnace (Gujarati) Thus, iron ingot. PLUS Bronze ingot castings.
Thus, the boatload supercargo comprised: Bronze ingot castings, iron ingots PLUS metalware
from
smithy, forge.
18
m682a First 2 signs read rebus as at h56A PLUS

dulo hole Rebus: dul cast metal PLUSaaren cover of pot or lid Rebus: aduru native,
unsmelted metal Duplicated: dula pair Rebus: dul cast metal
Next 2 signs same as first 2 signs and read rebus as at h56A mineral metalware, ingots
(Telugu) PLUS infixed kolmo paddy plant Rebus: kolami smithy, forge. Thus, cast bronze smithy,
forge. Or, mogge sprout, bud Rebus: muh ingot (Santali)Thus, cast bronze ingot. Read as: kacu dul
muh bron e cast ingot
m626a
(Bengali);
m. lathe ;
mason
heate and poured into a mould; a solid piece of metal; an ingot (Gujarati)PLUSsal splinter Rebus: sal
Next 2 signs read rebus as at h56A

as: kacu dul muh bron e cast ingot
19

kamaha archer, bow Rebus: kammaa mint, coiner. mogge sprout, bud Rebus: muh ingot
(Santali) Cirumscript: gaa 'four' Rebus: kaa 'furnace, fire-altar' (Santali)
(Telugu) Thus, cast bronze.
m146a

First 2 signs read rebus as at h56A Mineral metalware ingots

m141a

(Gujarati)(CDIAL 3551) Thus, storeroom (of) kolom three Rebus: kolami smithy, forge. dula
pair Rebus: dul cast metal Thus, together dul kolami kuhr metal smithy castings storeroom |
koa one Rebus: ko workshop sal splinter Rebus: sal workshop aya kammaa.coiner, mint
alloy ayo hlako alloy metal ingot
(Gujarati)(CDIAL 3551) Thus, storeroom (of) kolom three Rebus: kolami smithy, forge.
kanac corner Rebus: kacu bronze

m863a

20
kha A stock or stump (Marathi); leafless tree (Marathi) Rebus: kdr turner (Bengali); kd to
turn in a lathe (Bengali).
| koa one Rebus: ko workshop
INFIXED

muka ladle (Tamil)(DEDR 4887) Rebus: muh ingot (Santali) baa = rimless pot (Kannada) Rebus:
baa = a kind of iron (G.) ) bhaa furnace (Gujarati) Thus, iron ingot. bicha scorpion (Assamese)
Rebus: bica stone ore (Santali)
m416A balad m. ox , gng. bald, (Ku.) barad, id. (N. Tarai) Rebus: bharat (5 copper, 4
zinc and 1 tin)(Punjabi) pattar trough
kolom three Rebus: kolami smithy, forge. dula pair Rebus: dul cast metal
hieroglyph signs are compositions: bicha scorpion (Assamese)
The pair of
ebus: bica
stone ore (Santali) The pairing sign is a composition of: sloping
stroke PLUS two short strokes of a splinter:
dh a slope; inclination of a plane (Gujarati); hiyum = adj. sloping, inclining (Gujarati) Rebus:
hlako = a large metal ingot (Gujarati) hlak = a metal heated and poured into a mould; a solid piece
of metal; an ingot (Gujarati)PLUSsal splinter Rebus: sal workshop. Thus the composition reads:
hlako sal ingot workshop.Together, the pair of hieroglyph signs read: bica hlako sal stone ore ingot
workshop.
ranku antelope Rebus: ranku tin.
Vikalpa: Ligature: two peaks: mu height, rising ground, hillock (Kannada) Rebus: me iron (Ho.)
dula pair Rebus: dul cast metal PLUS |||| Numeral 4: gaa 'four' Rebus: kaa 'furnace, fire-altar'
(Santali)
m254a Pictorial motif: balad m. ox , gng. bald, (Ku.) barad, id. (N. Tarai) Rebus:
bharat (5 copper, 4 zinc and 1 tin)(Punjabi) pattar trough Rebus: pattar guild. Thus,
copper-zinc-tin alloy (worker) guild.
dula two Rebus: dul cast metal kolom three Rebus: kolami smithy, forge Thus, metal smithy castingsforge.
mogge sprout, bud Rebus: muh ingot
The pair of hieroglyph signs are compositions: bicha scorpion (Assamese) ebus: bica stone ore
(Santali) The pairing sign is a composition of: sloping stroke PLUS two short strokes of a splinter:
21
of metal; an ingot (Gujarati) PLUS sal splinter Rebus: sal workshop. Thus the composition reads:
hlako sal ingot workshop.
Togethe, the pair of hieroglyph signs read: bica hlako sal stone ore ingot workshop.
h1077A Copper plate.
[ kh ] m A jag, notch, or indentation (as
upon the edge of a tool or weapon). Rebus: ka tools, pots and pans
and metal-ware
The hieroglyph may be a variant of:

kana, kanac = corner (Santali); Rebus: kacu = bronze (Telugu)
PLUS kolom three Rebus: kolami smithy, forge.
Rebus:

Rebus:
m1340a Both sides with same text:
|||| Numeral 4: gaa 'four' Rebus: kaa 'furnace, fire-altar' (Santali) dula pair
Rebus: dul cast metal

hlako = a large metal ingot (Gujarati) hlak = a metal heated and poured into a mould; a solid
piece of metal; an ingot (Gujarati)PLUSsal splinter Rebus: sal workshop. Thus the composition
reads: hlako sal ingot workshop.
m91A

oinery; M. sga double-canoe Rebus: sangataras stone-cutter, mason dula two
Rebus: dul cast metal
22
aar 'harrow'; rebus: aduru 'native unsmelted metal ayo hlako alloy metal ingot

sal splinter Rebus: sal workshop dula two Rebus: dul cast metal
ayo fish Rebus: aya iron ayas metal kamaha crab Rebus: kammaa mint, coiner.ato = claws
of crab (Santali) Rebus: dhtu mineral ore bhaa warrior (Sanskrit) Rebus: baa a kind of iron (Gujarati).
Rebus: bhaa furnace (Santali)

h2021A,B
aar 'harrow'; rebus: aduru 'native unsmelted

metal ayo fish Rebus: aya iron ayas metal
mu height, rising ground, hillock (Kannada)
Rebus: mht, me iron (Munda.Ho.)
g mountain-ridge (H.)(CDIAL 5476). Rebus:

dhangar blacksmith (Maithili)
dula pair Rebus: dul cast (metal) kolmo rice plant Rebus: kolami smithy/forge
metal.

Side B:
[ kh ] m A jag,
bicha
scorpion (Assamese) Rebus: bica stone ore (Santali)
Arrow sign hieroglyph (variant) This is a ligature of lid of pot hieroglyph superscript on a linear stroke
numeral hieroglyph.aaren cover of pot or lid Rebus: aduru native, unsmelted metal PLUS ko = one
(Santali); ko workshop (Gujarati)
23
metal.

Side C:
kha A stock or stump (Marathi); leafless tree (Marathi) Rebus: kdr turner (Bengali); kd to
turn in a lathe (Bengali). Allograph.
m415A balad m. ox , gng. bald, (Ku.) barad, id. (N. Tarai) Rebus: bharat (5 copper, 4 zinc
and 1 tin)(Punjabi) pattar trough Rebus: pattar guild. Thus, copper-zinc-tin alloy (worker)
guild.
[ kh ] m A jag,

m1a

sg m.
kandi bead Rebus: kha great quantity
pit (Kashmiri. CDIAL 3947).
[ kh ] m A jag, notch, or indentation (as upon the edge of a tool
or weapon). Rebus: ka tools, pots and pans and metal-ware

m1841a

dula pair Rebus: dul cast metal PLUS | koa one Rebus: ko workshop PLUS
24
INFIXED
weapon). Rebus: ka tools, pots and pans and metal-ware Thus metalware castings workshop.
the edge of a tool or weapon). Rebus: ka tools, pots and pans and metal-ware ayo fish Rebus: aya
iron ayas metal
bicha scorpion (Assamese) Rebus: bica stone ore (Santali) ayo hlako alloy metal ingot

m954a

dula pair Rebus: dul cast metal PLUS | koa one Rebus: ko workshop PLUS
INFIXED
weapon). Rebus: ka tools, pots and pans and metal-ware Thus metalware castings workshop.
ma raised platform, stool Rebus: ma warehouse Vikalpa: kano stool, seat
Rebus: k metalware, tools, pots and pans(Marathi).
[ maapa ] canopy Rebus:
[ ma ] f ( H) A green market, the place in a city whither vegetables and fruits are brought to be
disposed of by wholesale. INFIXED
metalware castings workshop.
m1710a

25
[lkhaa ] n (
S)
Iron.
or
[ lkhaakma ] n Iron work; that
portion (of a building, machine &c.) which consists of iron. 2 The business of an ironsmith.
lkha ] a (
) Composed of iron; relating to iron. (Marathi) bhaa warrior (Sanskrit) Rebus: baa a
kind of iron (Gujarati). Rebus: bhaa furnace (Santali) Thus, together, the ligatured hieroglyph reads
rebus: loa bhaa iron furnace
reads: cast metal metal-ware.
du cross(Telugu) Rebus: dhatu mineral (Santali).ranku antelope Rebus: ranku tin
h1797A
baroi twelve bhrata a
factitious alloy of copper, pewter, tin (Marathi)
The pair of hieroglyph signs are compositions: 1. bicha scorpion (Assamese) Rebus: bica

dulo hole Rebus: dul cast metal Senatic-phonetic determinant: dula two Rebus: dul cast metal ingot
(Santali) baa = rimless pot (Kannada) Rebus: baa = a kind of iron (G.) ) bhaa furnace (Gujarati) Thus,
furnace metal castings.
h26a
ra 'spokes' Rebus: ra 'brass'. cf. erka = ekke (Tbh. of arka) aka (Tbh. of arka) copper (metal)
[ kh ] m A jag, notch, or indentation (as upon the edge of a tool or weapon).
(Marathi) Rebus:kh tools, pots and pans, metal-ware.
kamaha = crab; kampaam = mint (Tamil) ; kammaa coiner, mint (Telugu) Vikalpa: ato = claws of
crab (Santali); dhtu = mineral (Sanskrit)
aya aaren (homonym: aduru)alloy native metal
26

Iron.
or
[ lkhaa ] n (
that portion (of a building, machine &c.) which consists of iron. 2 The business of an ironsmith.
lkha ] a (
S)
Another sign hieroglyph which gets almost identical ligatures is: bicha, bich 'scorpion' (Assamese)
Rebus: bica 'stone ore' (Munda) bicha scorpion (Assamese) Rebus: bica stone ore (Munda). meedbica = iron stone ore, in contrast to bali-bica, iron sand ore (Munda) Was there a compound term
bicakha stone ore metalware? The assumption is that the ligatures are read: ka tools, pots and
pans and metal-ware., that is: metalware
[ kh ] m A jag, notch, or indentation (as upon the edge of a tool or weapon. Rebus: ka
tools, pots and pans and metal-ware.
rim-of-jar' hieroglyph kanka (Santali) karika scribe(Sanskrit) Rebus: kar, supercargo for a
boat shipment.
m1667A
oinery;
M. sga double-canoe Rebus: sangataras stone-cutter, mason

ra 'spokes' Rebus: ra brass. cf. erka = ekke (Tbh. of arka) aka (Tbh. of arka) copper (metal);
crystal (Kannada) Glyph: erakanave of wheel Rebus: eraka copper; cf. erka = ekke (Tbh. of
arka) aka (Tbh. of arka) copper (metal); crystal (Kannada) erako moltencast copper PLUS cast
metal workshop.
khuo leg, foot , goat's leg Rebus: kh alloy (Marathi)
P
sal splinter Rebus: sal workshop Thus, moltencast copper, brass, alloy workshop castings
dula two Rebs: dul cast metal ayo fish Rebus: aya iron ayas metal
mason.

h12a
27
Bronze alloy workshop kacu sal starting with bronze which is a tin + copper alloy or tin bronze
(as distinguished from arsenical bronze, i.e. naturally occurring copper + arsenic).
aya aaren (homonym: aduru)alloy native metal
ayo hlako alloy metal ingot
Circumscript : kuila bent CDIAL 3230 kui in cmpd. curve, kuika bent MBh. Rebus: kuila,
katthl = bronze (8 parts copper and 2 parts tin) dula pair Rebus: dul cast metal. Thus two bent
lines () together read as circumscript: cast bronze, dul kuila. kolmo paddy plant Rebus: kolami
smithy,forge. Thus the composite hieroglyph with two circumscript ligatures, reads: metalware (from)
cast bronze smithy-forge.
mould; a solid piece of metal; an ingot (Gujarati)PLUSsal splinter Rebus: sal workshop. Thus
the composition reads: hlako sal ingot workshop.
Lothal 11a
knda
oinery; M.
dula pair Rebus: dul cast metal PLUS kna arrow (Sanskrit) Rebus:khna tools, pots and pans,
metal-ware. Rebus 2: ka 'fire-altar' (Santali) Thus, cast metal metalware PLUS kamaha crab Rebus:
kammaa mint, coiner.
ato = claws of crab (Santali) Rebus: dhtu mineral ore Thus, cast metal metalware and mint mineral
ore.
splinter sal splinter Rebus: sal workshop:
dh a slope; inclination of a plane (G.); hiyum = adj. sloping, inclining (G.) Rebus: hlako = a large
metal ingot (G.) hlak = a metal heated and poured into a mould; a solid piece of metal; an ingot
(Gujarati) PLUS sal splinter Rebus: sal workshop. Thus the composition reads: hlako sal ingot
workshop. Together, the pair of hieroglyph signs read: bica hlako sal stone ore ingot workshop.
28
ranku liquid measure Rebus: ranku tin.

) baa = a kind of iron (G.) ) bhaa furnace (G.) Thus, iron ingot.
m316a
baa = rimless pot (Kannada) Rebus: ) baa = a kind of iron (G.) ) bhaa furnace (G.) Thus, iron furnace
PLUS
Vikalpa: mogge sprout, bud Rebus: muh ingot (Santali) dolu plant of shoot height Rebus: dul
cast metal Thus, together, iron cast metal ingot furnace
kolmo paddy plant Rebus: kolami smithy, forge

pit (Kashmiri. CDIAL 3947).
m100a

bicha scorpion (Assamese) Rebus: bica stone ore (Santali) The pairing sign is a composition of: sloping
stroke PLUS two short strokes of a splinter: bica sal stone ore workshop.
Rebus:
[ kh ] f (

m787A

29
bicha scorpion (Assamese) Rebus: bica stone ore (Santali) The pairing sign is a composition of: sloping
stroke PLUS two short strokes of a splinter: bica sal stone ore workshop.
m816A

lit. to collect stones,
stone-cutter, mason.
pair of hieroglyph signs are compositions: bicha scorpion (Assamese) Rebus: bica
ore (Santali) The pairing sign is a composition of: sloping stroke PLUS two short
of a splinter:
The
stone
strokes
of metal; an ingot (Gujarati) PLUS sal splinter Rebus: sal workshop. Thus the composition reads:
hlako sal ingot workshop.
m1206eBronze alloy workshop kacu sal starting with bronze which is a tin + copper
alloy or tin bronze
arsenic).
(as distinguished from arsenical bronze, i.e. naturally occurring copper +
30
m72a

double-canoe Rebus: sangataras.
knda
oinery; M. sga
kolom three Rebus: kolami smithy, forge kanka rim of jar Rebus: karka account (scribe) kar
supercargo
Iron.
or
[lkhaa ] n (
S)
[ lkhaakma
] n Iron work; that portion (of a building, machine &c.) which consists of iron. 2 The
business of an ironsmith.
[ lkha ] a (
bhaa warrior (Sanskrit) Rebus: baa a kind of iron (Gujarati). Rebus: bhaa furnace (Santali) Thus,
together, th ligatured hieroglyph reads rebus: loa bhaa iron furnace
muka ladle (Tamil)(DEDR 4887) Rebus: muh ingot (Santali) baa = a kind of iron (Gujarati) baa =
rimless pot (Kannada) Thus, iron ingot.
The pair of hieroglyph signs are compositions: bicha scorpion (Assamese) Rebus: bica stone ore
(Santali)
m1954a
Bronze alloy
copper alloy or tin
naturally occurring copper +
workshop kacu sal starting with bronze which is a tin +

bronze (as distinguished from arsenical bronze, i.e.
arsenic).
kamaha crab Rebus: kammaa mint, coiner.

Together, the rebus reading: bronze workshop, mint (with) mineral ore, native metal, alloyed metal.
muka ladle (Tamil)(DEDR 4887) Rebus: muh ingot (Santali) baa = a kind of iron (Gujarati) baa =
rimless pot (Kannada) Thus, iron ingot.
kolom three Rebus: kolami smithy, forge Thus iron ingot smithy.
Rimless pot ligatured with unique ligatures to denote a gloss comparable to lokhaa on ficus
and scorpion hieroglyphs, thus offering a cipher of khaa for the unique ligatures ] m A jag,
notch, or indentation (as upon the edge of a tool or weapon). Rebus: ka tools, pots and pans
and metal-ware
31
baa = a kind of iron (Gujarati) baa = rimless pot (Kannada) PLUS
[ kh ] m A jag, notch, or
indentation (as upon the edge of a tool or weapon). Rebus: ka tools, pots and pans and metal-ware
Thus, iron furnace metalware, baa kh.
| koa one Rebus: ko workshop Thus, the pair reads: baa kh ko iron furnace metalware
workshop (or, a forge).
m1426A
Bronze alloy workshop kacu sal starting with bronze which is a tin + copper alloy
or tin bronze (as
copper + arsenic).
distinguished from arsenical bronze, i.e. naturally occurring
kamaha crab Rebus: kammaa mint, coiner.

Together, the rebus reading: bronze workshop, mint (with) mineral ore, native metal, alloyed metal.
kolmo three Rebus: kolami smithy, forge dula pair Rebus: dul cast metal Thus, metal smithy castings.
Rimless pot ligatured with unique ligatures to denote a gloss comparable to lokhaa superscript
ligatures on ficus and scorpion hieroglyphs, thus offering a cipher of khaa for the unique
ligatures ] m A jag, notch, or indentation (as upon the edge of a tool or
baa = a kind of iron (Gujarati) baa = rimless pot (Kannada) PLUS
[ kh ] m A jag, notch, or
indentation (as upon the edge of a tool or weapon). Rebus: ka tools, pots and pans and metal-ware
Thus, iron furnace metalware, baa kh.
| koa one Rebus: ko workshop Thus, the pair reads: baa kh ko iron furnace metalware
workshop (or, a forge).

h61a

First sign read rebus as at h1824A metalware castings forge

dh a slope; inclination of a plane (G.); hiyum = adj. sloping, inclining (G.) Rebus: hlako = a
large metal ingot (G.) hlak = a metal heated and poured into a mould; a solid piece of metal; an
ingot (Gujarati) PLUS
weapon). Rebus: ka
32
tools, pots and pans and metal-ware Thus, the pair of sign hieroglyphs from r. read rebus: copper,
bronze ingots, metalware castings.
m1400A sal splinter Rebus: sal workshop
pit, kh f.
(scribe) kar
koi flag (Ta.)(DEDR 2049). Rebus 1: ko workshop (Kuwi) Rebus 2: kh m.

small pit (Kashmiri. CDIAL 3947). kanka rim of jar Rebus: karka account
supercargo
Circumscript:
parts copper and 2 parts tin) Duplicated: dula pair Rebus: dul cast metal Thus, cast bronze or
bronze castings.

m38a
(Bengali);
m. lathe ;
mason
dula two Rebus: dul cast metal
(Gujarati)(CDIAL 3551) Thus, storeroom (of) kolom three Rebus: kolami smithy, forge. Dula
kamaha archer, bow Rebus: kammaa mint, coiner.
kolmo paddy plant Rebus: kolami smithy, forge Vikalpa: mogge sprout, bud Rebus: muh ingot
(Santali) dolu plant of shoot height Rebus: dul cast metal
sal splinter Rebus: sal workshop aya aaren (homonym: aduru)alloy native metal aya
kammaa.coiner, mint alloy
dula two Rebus: dul cast metal ayo fish Rebus: aya iron ayas metal
33
A Meluhha narrative in hieroglyphic precision on furnace metal work an executive summary on
an ancient tablet of Meluhha metal hieroglyphs
m488A, B, C Side A: krammara look back Rebus: kamar
blacksmith kola tiger Rebus: kolhe smelter kol working in iron
heraka spy Rebus: erako moltencast copper kui tree Rebus:
kuhi smelter
kha A stock or
stump (Marathi); leafless tree
(Marathi)
Rebus: kdr turner (Bengali); kd to turn in a lathe (Bengali).
Svastika Rebus: sattva, jasta zinc
ibha elephant Rebus: ib iron ibbo merchant (Gujarati)
Side B:
kdr turner (Bengali);
lathe ;
[kha] m A young bull, a bullcalf. (Marathi) Rebus:

Iron.
or
[lkhaa ] n (
S)
[ lkhaakma ] n Iron
work; that portion (of a building, machine &c.) which consists of iron. 2 The business of an
ironsmith.
[ lkha ] a (
) Composed of iron; relating to iron. (Marathi) bhaa warrior
(Sanskrit) Rebus: baa a kind of iron (Gujarati). Rebus: bhaa furnace (Santali) Thus, together, the
ligatured hieroglyph reads rebus: loa bhaa iron furnace
Iron.
or
[lkhaa ] n (
ironsmith.
[ lkha ] a (
34
S)
Rebus:
reads: cast metal metal-ware.
Side C: ku horn Rebus: workshop me body Rebus: me iron (Ho.)
[ maapa ] canopy
[ ma ] f ( H) A green market, the place in a city whither vegetables and fruits are brought
Rebus:
to be disposed of by wholesale.
lo, no nine (Assamese) Rebus: lo iron, copper
Iron.
or
[lkhaa ] n (
S)
ironsmith.
[ lkha ] a (
Composite animal: Markhor horns: mil markhor (Trwl) meho a ram, a sheep (G.)(CDIAL 10120)
Rebus: mht, me iron (Mu.Ho.) scarf: dhatu scarf Rebus: dhatu mineral ore Ligature:
Kur. xol tail. Malt. qoli id. (DEDR 2135). Rebus: kolhe smelter Thus, copper smelter.
Worshipper: bha G. bhuv m. worshipper in a temple rather < bhrta --(CDIAL 9554)
Yj.com., Rebus: bha kiln, furnace ku horn Rebus: workshop kd 'bunch of twigs'
(Sanskrit) Rebus: kuhi 'smelter furnace' (Santali)
Scarf: dhatu scarf Rebus: dhatu mineral ore As a phonetic-semantic reinforcement, the worshipper
holds a pot: rimless, broad-mouthed pot which is baa read rebus: bhaa furnace.
kao stool, seat Rebus: ka metalware kaa fire-altar erugu = to bow, to salute or make
obeisance (Te.) er-agu = obeisance (Ka.), ir_ai (Ta.) [Note image of an offering adorant]eraka, erka =
copper (Ka.) erako moltencast copper (Gujarati)
[mai] or
archery,
mani. [Tel.] n. Kneeling down with one leg, an attitude in

,
. Rebus: mai market.
S. Kalyanaraman
Sarasvati Research Centre November 15, 2014
Published: November 15, 2014 02:11 IST | Updated: November 15, 2014 02:11 IST
Indus script early form of Dravidian
35
Special Correspondent
Iravatham Mahadevan
Iravatham Mahadevan proves the point with the help of ideograms
Iravatham Mahadevan, a well-known expert in Indian epigraphy, especially the Indus and
Tamil Brahmi scripts, on Friday unveiled what he termed as his long years of studies on the
36
Indus Valley script, demonstrably showing that the language of that once great civilisation
was an early form of the Dravidian.
Making a presentation of his latest paper, Dravidian Proof of the Indus Script via The Rig
Veda: A Case Study at the Roja Muthiah Research Library here, he explained with the help
of ideograms- a picture or a symbol that represents an idea or a concept-, that the Indus
language has been correctly identified as an early form of the Dravidian script.
He said the methodology followed is to identify the ideograms, find the Dravidian roots
with the nearest literal meanings and interpret them through the rebus technique to get at
the intended meanings. (A rebus is an allusional device that uses pictures to represent
words or parts of words.)
This technique has helped in arriving at this conclusion, he said.
Explaining the frequent phrase of four signs (ABCD), as in the above picture, Mr.
Mahadevan, who was earlier this year awarded the prestigious Campbell Medal -2014 by
the Mumbai Asiatic Society, formerly Royal Asiatic Society, said that in short, the signs
stood for Merchant of the City.
Referring to two divergent streams arising from the Indus Valley civilisation, he said, the
Earliest Old Tamil, which has retained the Dravidian roots of the Indus phrase still, is firmly
interlinked, but with modified meanings.
String of names
The results reveal a string of names and titles associated with the Pantian dynasty whose
remote ancestors were probably traders in the Indus civilisation, he said.
After the collapse of the Indus civilisation, he said in his paper that a section of the Indus
Valley population had migrated to south India and the the Indus Dravidian influenced the
South Dravidian languages. The earliest traces of such migratory influence are found in the
Old Tamil.
The other stream that the epigraphist spoke of is the Earliest Indo-Aryan (Rig Veda), which
has inherited the Indus phrase through loan translations. Pusan, an early Vedic God, for
instance, is identified as a deity of the trading community (Vaisya). The origin of the myths
associated with Pusan becomes clear when their source is traced to the Indus phrase, Mr.
Mahadevan contended.
The results also show that the descendants of the Indus civilisation adopted the Indo-Aryan
speech and that there was a long gap of time between the Indus civilisation and the early
Vedic culture, said Mr. Mahadevan. The Vedic Age succeeded the Indus civilisation and
the Rig Veda itself is a product of the composite culture, said the scholar, who began
studying the Indus script way back in 1968.
Mr. Mahadevan further explained that the results of the discovery, using the above
technique, are summarised in a Grid of correspondences, adding, the Grid constitutes the
proof of the discovery.
I have not claimed to have deciphered the Indus script. But the present paper appears to
me the most productive I have so far written, he claimed in his written paper, adding that
from the level of mere evidence, it has now attained the level of proof.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/indus-script-early-form-of-dravidian-iravathammahadevan/article6600394.ece
37

Dravida Maayaa of Mahadevan A Rejoinder To Iravatham Mahadevan's Hurried Claim of Tamil/Dravida Decipherment of Indus Script (S. Kalyanaraman, 2014)

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Dravida maayaa of Mahadevan

A rejoinder to Iravatham Mahadevans hurried claim of

[ kh ] m A jag, notch, or indentation (as upon the edge of a tool or weapon).

(Marathi) Rebus:kh tools, pots and pans, metal-ware,

lit. to collect stones, stone-cutter, mason.

made of bell metal.

beetle called the death watch.

kansara-vau. [Telugu] n. A brazier, a

a woman of that caste.

a cymbal made of bell metal.

as bright or dazzling as the glitter of polished

she spoke shrilly or with a voice as clear as a bell.

koi flag (Tamil)(DEDR 2049). Rebus 1: ko workshop (Kuwi) Rebus 2: kh m. pit, kh f.

kra the supercargo of a ship (Marathi)

[ karadhra ] m S (A holder of the ear.) A helmsman or steersman

[ kh ] m A jag, notch, or indentation (as upon the edge of a tool or

[ lkhaakma ] n Iron work; that portion (of a building, machine

&c.) which consists of iron. 2 The business of an ironsmith.

khareo = a currycomb (Gujarati)

[ kharr ] m ( H) A currycomb. 2 Currying a horse. (Marathi)

[ polusu ][Telugu] A scale of a fish.

. Tu. poas scales of

P. go gold or silver lace , H. go m. edging of such ( K. goa m. edging of gold braid ,

lit. to collect stones, stone-

kanka rim of jar Rebus: karka account (scribe) kar supercargo

aar 'harrow'; rebus: aduru 'native unsmelted metal

kanka rim of jar Rebus: karka account (scribe) kar supercargo

baroi twelve bhrata a factitious alloy of copper, pewter, tin (Marathi)

[kha] m A young bull, a bullcalf. (Marathi) Rebus: kdr turner

knda engraver, lapidary setting or infixing gems (Marathi) G. sgh m.

oinery; M. sga double-canoe Rebus: sangataras.

stones, stone-cutter, mason.

[kha] m A young bull, a bullcalf. (Marathi) Rebus: kdr turner

knda engraver, lapidary setting or infixing gems (Marathi) G. sgh m.

oinery; M. sga double-canoe Rebus: sangataras.

stones, stone-cutter, mason.

[kha] m A young bull, a bullcalf. (Marathi) Rebus: kdr turner

knda engraver, lapidary setting or infixing gems (Marathi) G.

oinery; M. sga double-canoe Rebus: sangataras.

lit. to collect stones, stone-cutter, mason.

[ lkhaakma ] n Iron work;

loa ficus religiosa Rebus: lo iron (Sanskrit) PLUS unique ligatures:

[ lkhaakma ] n Iron work;

) Composed of iron; relating to iron. (Marathi)

kanka rim of jar Rebus: karka account (scribe) kar supercargo

khareo = a currycomb (Gujarati)

[kara] Hard from alloy--iron, silver &c. (Marathi) khard turner

S) frame or structure of the body

[ kha ] measure of weight (Marathi)

; kai, n. < Mhr. khail. [T.

lit. to collect stones, stone-cutter, mason.

loa ficus religiosa Rebus: lo iron (Sanskrit) PLUS unique ligatures:

[ lkhaakma ] n Iron work;

The business of an ironsmith.

relating to iron. (Marathi)

[kha] m A young bull, a bullcalf. (Marathi) Rebus: kdr turner

knda engraver, lapidary setting or infixing gems (Marathi) G. sgh

oinery; M. sga double-canoe Rebus: sangataras.

collect stones, stone-cutter, mason.

[ lkhaakma ] n Iron work;

[kha] m A young bull, a bullcalf. (Marathi) Rebus: kdr turner

knda engraver, lapidary setting or infixing gems (Marathi) G.

oinery; M. sga double-canoe Rebus: sangataras.