Sharada Letter Sha

It writes the sha consonant with a built-in short “a.” In the Sharada script, a bare 𑆯 forms a syllable like “sha.” A vowel sign—a mark added to the letter—changes that vowel.

How did the Sharada script develop?

Sharada developed from Gupta Brahmi through Kutila. It became distinct from Kutila around the 8th century. The earliest evidence is debated: one account dates a stone slab at Hund to 774–775 CE, while another palaeographic reading favors coins of Kashmir’s Varman dynasty from the late 9th century. The disagreement concerns which early examples count as Sharada proper.

People used the Sharada script for Sanskrit and Kashmiri on stone and copper inscriptions and in manuscripts. Surviving works cover science and mathematics as well as literature and religious texts. Its historical range extended across Kashmir and the north-west.

As Perso-Arabic writing for Kashmiri grew and Devanagari spread, Sharada faded from general writing. Takri is a documented descendant; Landa and Gurmukhi are related branches. The letter kept its consonant role as the script’s audience and uses changed.

How do I type 𑆯?

Use a Sharada phonetic or InScript keyboard layout. The phonetic layout maps sounds to Sharada letters; InScript is an alternative layout. Some web keyboard demos also offer browser entry.

A blank square usually means the font has no Sharada glyph. Fonts may also draw the script’s joined headstroke differently or mishandle overlaps; a changed outline does not mean it is a different encoded letter.