Meluhha writing, metallurgists' writing -- takṣat vāk, inscribed Meluhha speech, on a snarling iron of Chanhu-daro
At the outset, it should be underscored that 'Mleccha writing' is attested in an ancient Indian text as 'mlecchita vikalpa', that is, mleccha cypher-writing (Vātsyāyana’s Kāmasūtra).
Two scholars who have contributed significantly to the study of Indus Writing have provided some insights to unravel the functions served by glyphs used on Chanhu-daro inscriptional evidences.
Parpola noted that ||/ sign is only found on inscriptions of Chanhudaro. It occurred on eleven objects, (around one sixth of all inscribed objects recovered from Chanhudaro) leading to a suggestion by Asko Parapola that the Glyph with two upright linear strokes and a slanted stroke ||/ , may represent town's name. (Parpola, Asko, Deciphering the Indus Script. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1994.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chanhudaro
These readings suggested by Parpola and Mahadevan may call for a review and revision, in the archaeological context discussed in this note.
It should be noted that Glyph 137![]()
with a modifying element of a short linearstroke ' occurs on two pure ingots discovered in a Haifa shipwreck. The contextual and correct reading of Glyph 137 ![]()
is discussed on this note.
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(See readings specifying the metal as ranku, 'tin ' at http://www.newsnfo.co.uk/pages/Sarasvati%20hieroglyphs.pdf)
There are variant rebus readings for Glyph 137![]()
:
X glyph which is common to epigraphs on both the tin ingots may refer to an ‘ingot’ or a dhatu ‘mineral’.
1. Dāṭu ‘cross’(Telugu) Rebus: dhatu ‘mineral’ (Santali). Vikalpa: bāṭa ‘road’ (Telugu). Rebus: bhaṭa ‘furnace’ (Santali)
2. ḍagar 'road' (Hindi)Rebus: damgar 'merchant'; tamkāru id. (Akkadian)
4. Ta. maṉṟu junction of four roads or streets (DEDR 4777). Rebus: mandil, mandir = temple (Santali) māḍa = shrine of a demon (Tu.); māḍia = house (Pkt.)
The modifying element ' ligatured to![]()
on the tin ingot inscriptions, may be read rebus: खांडा [khāṇḍā] ‘notch’: Marathi: खांडा [ khāṇḍā ] m A jag, notch, or indentation (as upon the edge of a tool or weapon). Rebus: kāṇḍa‘tools, pots and pans and metal-ware’
Thus, the composite glyph on the tin ingots may be read in the context of the other glyph referring to ranku, 'tin' as: dhatu 'mineral' (to alloy) for kāṇḍa 'tools, pots and pans and metal-ware'. Alternative reading: ranku damgar, 'tin, metalware merchant'
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Chanhu-daro is verily the Sheffield of Ancient Near East given the evidence of an array of metal artefacts of unsurpassed brilliance of the Bronze Age made by Chanhu-daro artisans, and unearthed from the site.
Some examples were cited in four pages on Illustrated London News (Nov. 21, 1936, pages 908-911):
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Page 908 Great New Discoveries of Ancient Indian Culture on a Virgin Prehistoric Site in Sind - further results of pioneer research at Chanu-Daro, in the Indus Valley: relics of craftsmanship, domestic life, and personal adornment in the third millennium B.C. by Ernest Mackay D. Litt, FSA, in 5 x photos of seals and seal amulets with animal designs .
Page 909 A "Sheffield of Ancient India: Chanhu-Daro's Metal Working Industry 10 x photos of copper knives, spears , razors, axes and dishes
Page 910 Harappa Pottery, 5000 years old, Unique in Ancient India, Contrasted with Later Ware: Chanhu-Daro Dicoveries includes 16 x pictures
Page 911 Lipstick 5000 Years Old- and Other "Modern" Relics of Ancient Indiaincludes 10 x photos
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Tepe Yahya. Seal impressions of two sides of a seal. Six-legged lizard and opposing footprints shown on opposing sides of a double-sided steatite stamp seal perforated along the lateral axis. Lamberg- Karlovsky 1971: fig. 2C Shahr-i-Soktha Stamp seal shaped like a foot.
Glyph: aṭi foot, footprint (Tamil) Rebus: aḍe, aḍa, aḍi the piece of wood on which the five artisans put the article which they happen to operate upon, a support (Kannada)
Glyph: araṇe 'lizard' (Tulu) eraṇi f. ʻ anvil ʼ (Gujarati); aheraṇ, ahiraṇ, airaṇ, airṇī, haraṇ f. (Marathi)
Glyph: bhaṭa ‘six’ (G.) rebus: baṭa = kiln (Santali) baṭa = a kind of iron (Gujarati) [Note: six legs shown on the lizard glyph]
The rebus readings are: aḍi 'anvil' airaṇ 'anvil' (for use in) baṭa 'iron working' or kiln/furnace-work.
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Shahdad seal (Grave 78)
Meluhha (Mleccha) glosses from Indian sprachbund:
Ta. aṭi foot, footprint, Ma. aṭi sole of foot, footstep, measure of foot, Ko. aṛy foot (measure); Ka. aḍi foot, measure of foot, step, pace,Tu. aḍi bottom, base; kār aḍi footsole, footstep; Te.aḍugu foot, footstep, footprint, step, pace, measure of a foot, aḍi-gaṟṟa sandal, wooden shoe. Ga. (S.2 ) aḍugu footstep (< Te.). Go. (G.) aḍi beneath (Mu.) (DEDR 72) Rebus: Ta. aṭai prop. slight support; aṭai-kal anvil. Ma. aṭa-kkallu anvil of goldsmiths. Ko. aṛ gal small anvil. Ka. aḍe, aḍa, aḍi the piece of wood on which the five artisans put the article which they happen to operate upon, a support; aḍegal, aḍagallu, aḍigallu anvil. Tu. aṭṭè a support, stand. Te. ḍā-kali, ḍā-kallu, dā-kali, dā-gali, dāyi anvil. (DEDR 76).
அரணை Ta. araṇai typical lizard, Lacertidae; smooth streaked lizard, Lacerta interpunctula. Ma. araṇa green house lizard, L. interpunctula. Ka. araṇe, rāṇe, rāṇi greenish kind of lizard which is said to poison by licking, L. interpunctula. Tu. araṇe id. (DEDR 204).
sarvalā -- , °lī -- f. ʻ iron club or crowbar ʼ lex. 2. *sambala -- (cf. śamba -- ). [sarvalā -- (Pk. savvala -- ) sanskritization of *sabbala -- ~ *sambala -- ?] 1. Pk. sabbala -- , savvala -- m., °lā -- f. ʻ spear ʼ; P. sabbal f. ʻ crowbar (used by thieves) ʼ; Ku. sāblo ʻ iron bar ʼ; N. B. sābal ʻ crowbar ʼ, Or. sābaḷa; Bi. sābar, sābrā ʻ round -- headed anvil ʼ, sabrā, °rī ʻ tinman's small anvil (made of a bent piece of iron) ʼ, Mth. sābal; H. sābal m.(?) ʻ crowbar (esp. one used by burglars), lever, small anvil ʼ; M. sabaḷ f. ʻ crowbar ʼ. 2. K. sambal f. ʻ crowbar ʼ, L.poṭh. sãbbal m. ʻ crowbar (used by thieves for digging through a wall) ʼ; Ku. sã̄plo ʻ iron bar ʼ, gng. śã̄baw, śã̄paw; M. sãbaḷ m. ʻ large bickern ʼ.(CDIAL 13279). Ju(P) {N} ``^crowbar''. *Sa., Mu., Ho, H., B., O..संबळ or सबळ [ sambaḷa or sabaḷa ] f m A bickern that is divided at one end into two parts, a crowbar. Note. Distinction is made by some between these two words. संबळ is understood to be m, and to mean A large bickern or पहार; and सबळ to be f, and to mean Crowbar.(Marathi)
पहार [ pahāra ] f पहारय f C A pointed iron-bar, used in punching rocks or the ground, a bickern, a pitcher, a crowbar.(Marathi)prahāra m. ʻ blow ʼ Mn. [√hr̥]Pa. Pk. pahāra -- m. ʻ blow, wound ʼ; Kt. prōr ʻ wound ʼ, Pr. pār, pārə́ ʻ wounded ʼ (← Ind. NTS ii 198); Dm. praāŕu, praāl ʻ wound ʼ (with dissim. of r -- r NTS xii 130), Paš.lauṛ. lahāˊr, ar. plōor, weg. lahār, uz. ṣawṓr, Shum. lāar; L. pahār f. ʻ internal, wound ʼ; Or. pāhāra ʻ blow, beating, pestle of rice -- pounding machine ʼ (whence pāhurāibā ʻ to pound with a pestle ʼ); Bi. paharuwā ʻ pestle of husking machine ʼ; Si. pahara, pāra ʻ blow ʼ; Md. fāru ʻ wound ʼ. -- Altern. < parighāta -- : Or. pu(h)āri ʻ small iron chisel ʼ; G. pārī f. ʻ crowbar ʼ; M. pahār, pahāray f. ʻ iron bar, crowbar ʼ. -- Psht. parhār ʻ wound ʼ (← Ind. EVP 58) → Tir. Woṭ. parāˊr m. ʻ wound ʼ, Sv. Phal. parhāˊr, Bshk. parāˊr Buddruss Woṭ 120. Md. etifaharu ʻ blows ʼ.(CDIAL 8906). Ta. pārai crowbar, small hoe for cutting grass. Ma. pāra iron crowbar, lever, bar used for digging. Ko. pa·r crowbar. To. pa·r id. Ka. pāre id., short hoe. Tu. pāreṅgi iron crowbar, lever. Te. pāra, pāṟa spade. Kol. (Kin.) gaḍḍa pāra spade (gaḍḍa clod). Nk. (Ch.) pahar crowbar. Ga. (S.3) pāra spade. Go. (A.) pāra id. (Voc. 2195). Kuwi (S.) pāra id.(DEDR 4093).
शिंगाडा [ śiṅgāḍā ] m (शृंगाटक or संघाटिका S through H) A form of anvil. Used for hammering nails and forming vessels &c. It is disting. from both ऐरण & संदान. (Marathi) शिंगाडी [ śiṅgāḍī ] A horn or a hornlike article used by shoemakers to enlarge a tight shoe. (Marathi)
संदान or सदान [ sandāna or sadāna ] n f ( P) The smaller anvil of blacksmiths and forgers. On it are formed ferrules, rings, caps &c. Disting. from शिंगाडा ऐरण &c. (Marathi)P سندان sandān, s.m. (2nd) An anvil. Pl. سندانونه sandānūnah. See پلک (Pushto) saṁdhāˊna n. ʻ joint, union ʼ TS., ʻ bell -- metal ʼ MW., °nī -- f. ʻ foundry ʼ lex. [√dhā]Pa. sandhāna -- n. ʻ union, fetter ʼ; Pk. saṁdhā̆ṇa -- n. ʻ joint'; sandhānī f. ʻ id., distilling, foundry ʼ;Si. an̆dun bell, gong ʼ (CDIAL 12909).
பட்டடை¹ paṭṭaṭai , n. prob. படு¹- + அடை¹-. 1. [T. paṭṭika, K. paṭṭaḍe.] Anvil; அடைகல். (பிங்.) சீரிடங்காணி னெறிதற்குப் பட்ட டை (குறள், 821). 2. [K. paṭṭaḍi.] Smithy, forge; கொல்லன் களரி.கொல்லன்பட்டடை kollaṉ-paṭṭaṭai , n. < கொல்லன் +. Anvil; அடைகல். (C. G.)அடைகுறடு aṭai-kuṟaṭu , n. < அடை¹- +. 1. Anvil; கம்மியர் பட்டடை. (பிங்.) 2. Tongs; பற்றுக்குறடு. (W.)அடைகல்¹ aṭai-kal , n. < அடை¹-. 1. Anvil; பட்டடை. சுட்ட வல்லிரும் படைகலைச் சுடுகலா தன் போல் (கம்பரா. பாச. 33). 2. Stone base; ஆதாரச் சிலை. ஆமையாய் மேருத் தாங்கி யடைக���ாய்க் கிடந்த போது (சி. சி. பர. பாஞ்சரா. மறு. 11). நறுதடி naṟu-taṭi , n. prob. நறுக்கு- + தடி. Goldsmith's anvil attached to a block; அடைகல். (J.) நறுதடிக்குற்றி naṟutaṭi-k-kuṟṟi , n. < நறு தடி +. Anvil-block of goldsmith; அடைகற் கட்டை. (W.) adhikaraṇīˊ f. ʻ *anvil ʼ, adhikaraṇa -- n. ʻ receptacle, support ʼ TUp. [√kr̥1] Pa. adhikaraṇī -- f. ʻ smith's anvil ʼ; Pk. ahigaraṇī -- f. ʻ a piece of apparatus for a smith ʼ; K. yīran, dat. yṳ̄rüñ f. ʻ anvil ʼ, S. aharaṇi, araṇi f., L. (Jukes) ariṇ f., awāṇ. &circmacrepsilon;ruṇ, P. aihran, airaṇ, ā̆hraṇ f., WPah. bhal. arhini; roh. erṇe ʻ smithy ʼ, N. āran; H. aheran, ā̆hran m. ʻ anvil ʼ; -- H. Smith BSL 101, 115. S.kcch. eṇ f. ʻ anvil ʼ; WPah.kṭg. n/arəṇ, n/arṇi f. ʻ furnace, smithy ʼ; āˊrəṇ m. prob. ← P. Him.I 4; jaun. āraṇ, airaṇ; G. eraṇi f. ʻ anvil ʼ, M. aheraṇ, ahiraṇ, airaṇ, airṇī, haraṇ f. (CDIAL 252). अहेरण [ ahēraṇa ] f (Commonly ऐरण) An anvil. Ex. हिरा ठेविता अहेरणीं ॥ वांचे मारिता जो घनीं ॥ऐरण [ airaṇa ] f or णी f ( H) An anvil (whether of blacksmith or of goldsmith).(Marathi)yīran यीरन्, an anvil (Kashmiri) hanana (f. °nī -- ) ʻ killing ʼ Hariv., n. ʻ act of killing or striking ʼ Nir. [√han1]Pa. hanana -- n. ʻ killing ʼ, Pk. haṇaṇa -- n.; Paš. hananī ʻ epic or lyrical killing -- song ʼ Rep1 82; A. hanan ʻ act of killing ʼ; Mth. hannā ʻ round block of iron pierced with a hole and placed on the perforated anvil (when iron is being pierced with holes) ʼ BPL 409; OG. haṇaṇahāra m. ʻ one who kills ʼ.(CDIAL 13964). பணை paṇai , n. prob. பணை-. 1. Anvil; உலைக்களத்துப் பட்டடை. (குறள், 828, மணக். பக். 28.) 2. Tusk of an elephant; யானைத் தந்தம். மகரிகையு மிருபணைகளும் . . . ஒளிவிட . . . முடுகினகரிகளே (பாரத. பதினாறாம். 20).
nighāti f. ʻ iron hammer ʼ lex. [Cf. nighāta -- m. ʻ blow ʼ Gaut., Pa. nighāta -- ʻ struck down ʼ, °ti -- f. ʻ defeat ʼ, Pk. ṇihāya -- m. ʻ blow ʼ. -- √han1] N. lihi ʻ anvil ʼ, B. nihāi, neh°, neyāi, Or. nehāi, nehi, lihāi, Bi. nihāi, neh°, Mth. nehāī, nah°, lihāi, lah°; Bhoj. nahāi, nihāī f. ʻ anvil ʼ, nihāu m. ʻ iron hammer ʼ. nighātikūṭa 7173 *nighātikūṭa ʻ hammer ʼ. [nighāti -- , kūṭa -- 1] Mth. lihāwar ʻ large hammer ʼ. (CDIAL 7172, 7173)
Ta. aṭi foot, footprint, base, bottom, source, origin; Ma. aṭi sole of foot, footstep, measure of foot, Ko. aṛy foot (measure);To. oṛy foot. Ka. aḍi foot, measure of foot, step, pace,Te. aḍugu foot, footstep, footprint, step, pace, measure of a foot,aḍi-gaṟṟa sandal, wooden shoe. Ga. (S.2) aḍugu footstep (< Te.). Go. (G.) aḍi beneath; (Mu.)(DEDR 72)
Ka. (Gowda) aḍigera a pot. Tu. aḍḍyara earthen jar or pot. Te. aṭika a small earthen pot with a large mouth. Nk. (Ch.) aṛka earthen pot. Go. (Tr.) aṭkā earthen pot used for cooking; (G. Mu. Ma. S.) aṛka cooking pot; (Pat.) adka [i.e. aṛka] id. (Voc. 25). Kur. aṛī earthen waterpot. (DEDR 75).
bhráṣṭra n. ʻ frying pan, gridiron ʼ MaitrS. [√bhrajj] Pk. bhaṭṭha -- m.n. ʻ gridiron ʼ; K. büṭhü f. ʻ level surface by kitchen fireplace on which vessels are put when taken off fire ʼ; S. baṭhu m. ʻ large pot in which grain is parched, large cooking fire ʼ, baṭhī f. ʻ distilling furnace ʼ; L. bhaṭṭh m. ʻ grain -- parcher's oven ʼ, bhaṭṭhī f. ʻ kiln, distillery ʼ, awāṇ. bhaṭh; P. bhaṭṭh m., °ṭhī f. ʻ furnace ʼ, bhaṭṭhā m. ʻ kiln ʼ; N. bhāṭi ʻ oven or vessel in which clothes are steamed for washing ʼ; A. bhaṭā ʻ brick -- or lime -- kiln ʼ; B. bhāṭi ʻ kiln ʼ; Or. bhāṭi ʻ brick -- kiln, distilling pot ʼ; Mth. bhaṭhī, bhaṭṭī ʻ brick -- kiln, furnace, still ʼ; Aw.lakh. bhāṭhā ʻ kiln ʼ; H. bhaṭṭhā m. ʻ kiln ʼ, bhaṭ f. ʻ kiln, oven, fireplace ʼ; M. bhaṭṭā m. ʻ pot of fire ʼ, bhaṭṭī f. ʻ forge ʼ. -- X bhástrā -- q.v. S.kcch. bhaṭṭhī keṇī ʻ distil (spirits) ʼ.(CDIAL 9656). kolmo ‘three’ (Mu.); rebus: kolami ‘smithy’ (Telugu) కొలిమి [ kolimi ] kolimi. [Tel.] n. A pit. A fire pit or furnace. ముద్దకొలిమి a smelting forge. నీళ్లకొలిమి a reservoir. కొలిమిత్తిత్తి a pair of bellows.(Telugu) పట్టడ [ paṭṭaḍa ] paṭṭaḍu. [Tel.] n. A smithy, a shop. కుమ్మరి వడ్లంగి మొదలగువారు పనిచేయు చోటు.(Telugu) Glyph: S. baṭhu m. ‘large pot in which grain is parched; L. bhaṭṭh m. ʻ grain -- parcher's oven ʼM. bhaṭṭā m. ʻ pot of fire ʼ(CDIAL 9656). Glyph: bhaṭa ‘six’ (G.) rebus: baṭa = kiln (Santali); bhaṭṭī f. ʻ forge ʼ(Marathi)(CDIAL 9656). baṭa = a kind of iron (G.) bhaṭṭhī f. ‘kiln, distillery’, awāṇ. bhaṭh; P. bhaṭṭh m., °ṭhī f. ‘furnace’, bhaṭṭhā m. ‘kiln’; S. bhaṭṭhī keṇī ‘distil (spirits) baṭa = furnace (Santali) bhrāṣṭra = furnace (Skt.) bhaṭa ‘furnace’ (G.) baṭhī f. ʻ distilling furnace' (Sindhi)
2 ʻ step, pace ʼ. 2. *ḍig -- 2 . 3. *dag -- 2 . 1. N. ḍag ʻ step, stride ʼ, H. ḍag f., OMarw. ḍaga f., G. ḍag, ḍaglũ n.; M. ḍag f. ʻ pace ʼ, ḍagṇẽ ʻ to step over ʼ; -- Or. ḍagara ʻ footstep, road ʼ; Mth. ḍagar ʻ road ʼ, H. ḍagar f., ḍagrā m., G. ḍagar f. 2. P. ḍĩgh f. ʻ foot, step ʼ; N. ḍeg, ḍek ʻ pace ʼ; Mth. ḍeg ʻ footstep ʼ; H. ḍig, ḍeg f. ʻ pace ʼ. 3. L. dagg m. ʻ road ʼ, daggaṛ rāh m. ʻ wide road ʼ (mult. ḍaggar rāh < daggaṛ?); P. dagaṛ m. ʻ road ʼ, H. dagṛā m.(CDIAL 5523).
At the outset, it should be underscored that 'Mleccha writing' is attested in an ancient Indian text as 'mlecchita vikalpa', that is, mleccha cypher-writing (Vātsyāyana’s Kāmasūtra).
Two scholars who have contributed significantly to the study of Indus Writing have provided some insights to unravel the functions served by glyphs used on Chanhu-daro inscriptional evidences.
Parpola noted that ||/ sign is only found on inscriptions of Chanhudaro. It occurred on eleven objects, (around one sixth of all inscribed objects recovered from Chanhudaro) leading to a suggestion by Asko Parapola that the Glyph with two upright linear strokes and a slanted stroke ||/ , may represent town's name. (Parpola, Asko, Deciphering the Indus Script. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1994.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chanhudaro
Mahadevan noted: "Compound signs for “god's share of the grain/crop” ![]()
The compound sign 139 occurs only on seals, mostly from Mohenjodaro. It is the only sign on a large “unicorn” seal from Chanhudaro (6131). It would appear that seals with this sign were used by temple functionaries to mark the clay-tags affixed to bundles of grain-stalks which were set apart as “god’s first share of the produce” at the threshing floor. The compound sign 142 occurs only on the miniature tablets and sealings from Harappa. The function of 142 seems to be somewhat different from that of 139. Sign 142 may depict the voluntary offerings by small farmers or tenants of the first fruits to god before further apportionment of the grain. Apparently, the miniature tablets or sealings marked with this sign would be placed on bundles of grain-stalks or heaps of grain offered to the deity." (Mahadevan, Iravatham, 2012, Agricultural signs in the Indus Script, in: The Journal of the Foundation for Agrarian Studies ISSN 2248-9002, Vol. 2, No. 2, July-December 2012) Mahadevan identifies elements of the Compound Glyph 139 as and ![]()
; regards Glyph 137 ![]()
to mean, “to divide, share (as grain)” and a modifying element A: “sky” ![]()
to mean, 'deity'.
The compound sign 139 occurs only on seals, mostly from Mohenjodaro. It is the only sign on a large “unicorn” seal from Chanhudaro (6131). It would appear that seals with this sign were used by temple functionaries to mark the clay-tags affixed to bundles of grain-stalks which were set apart as “god’s first share of the produce” at the threshing floor. The compound sign 142 occurs only on the miniature tablets and sealings from Harappa. The function of 142 seems to be somewhat different from that of 139. Sign 142 may depict the voluntary offerings by small farmers or tenants of the first fruits to god before further apportionment of the grain. Apparently, the miniature tablets or sealings marked with this sign would be placed on bundles of grain-stalks or heaps of grain offered to the deity." (Mahadevan, Iravatham, 2012, Agricultural signs in the Indus Script, in: The Journal of the Foundation for Agrarian Studies ISSN 2248-9002, Vol. 2, No. 2, July-December 2012) Mahadevan identifies elements of the Compound Glyph 139 as and 
; regards Glyph 137 
to mean, “to divide, share (as grain)” and a modifying element A: “sky” to mean, 'deity'.These readings suggested by Parpola and Mahadevan may call for a review and revision, in the archaeological context discussed in this note.
It should be noted that Glyph 137
with a modifying element of a short linearstroke ' occurs on two pure ingots discovered in a Haifa shipwreck. The contextual and correct reading of Glyph 137 is discussed on this note.
There are variant rebus readings for Glyph 137
:X glyph which is common to epigraphs on both the tin ingots may refer to an ‘ingot’ or a dhatu ‘mineral’.
1. Dāṭu ‘cross’(Telugu) Rebus: dhatu ‘mineral’ (Santali). Vikalpa: bāṭa ‘road’ (Telugu). Rebus: bhaṭa ‘furnace’ (Santali)
2. ḍagar 'road' (Hindi)Rebus: damgar 'merchant'; tamkāru id. (Akkadian)
4. Ta. maṉṟu junction of four roads or streets (DEDR 4777). Rebus: mandil, mandir = temple (Santali) māḍa = shrine of a demon (Tu.); māḍia = house (Pkt.)
The modifying element ' ligatured to
on the tin ingot inscriptions, may be read rebus: खांडा [khāṇḍā] ‘notch’: Marathi: खांडा [ khāṇḍā ] m A jag, notch, or indentation (as upon the edge of a tool or weapon). Rebus: kāṇḍa‘tools, pots and pans and metal-ware’Thus, the composite glyph on the tin ingots may be read in the context of the other glyph referring to ranku, 'tin' as: dhatu 'mineral' (to alloy) for kāṇḍa 'tools, pots and pans and metal-ware'. Alternative reading: ranku damgar, 'tin, metalware merchant'
An evidence for the use of a slanted stroke comes from Mohenjo-daro. The seal is m1909.
kã̄g ‘boar’s tusk’; rebus: kã̄gar ‘portable brazier’. dolio‘spotted antelope’ (deśi. Hemachandra); dolo‘the eye’ (deśi. Hemachandra). Rebus: dul‘to cast metal in a mould’ (Santali)
koḍi 'sprout' (Tulu)(DEDR 2049). koḍ 'Artisans’ workplace' (Gujarati) dula 'pair' Rebus: dul 'cast (metal)(Santali) Thus the composite glyph is read ad dul koḍ 'cast (metal) workshop'. Followed by the most-frequently occurring glyph on Indus writing corpora, the rim of jar: kanka 'rim' Rebus: 'scribe'.
It appears that the slanted stroke was a distinct reference to a Meluhha (Mleccha) word.
The hieroglyph of a slanted stroke in front of the animal on m1909 is: dhāḷ‘a slope’; ‘inclination of a plane’ (G.); ḍhāḷiyum = adj. sloping, inclining (G.) Rebus: ḍhālako = a large metal ingot (G.) ḍhālakī = a metal heated and poured into a mould; a solid piece of metal; an ingot (Gujarati)
Glyph: One long linear stroke. koḍa ‘one’ (Santali) Rebus: koḍ ‘artisan’s workshop’ (Kuwi)
Glyph: Two long linear strokes. dol ‘likeness, picture, form’ [e.g., two tigers, two bulls, sign-pair.] Kashmiri. dula दुल । युग्मम् m. a pair, a couple, esp. of two similar things (Rām. 966) Rebus: dul ‘cast metal’ (Munda)
Thus, the composite glyph ||/ frequently occurring on Chanhu-daro inscriptions can be read as slanted stroke followed by a pair of straight linear strokes: dhāḷ , 'slanted (stroke)' + dula 'pair or two'; read rebus: ḍhālako 'a large metal ingot' (Gujarati) + dul 'cast (metal)'. Thus, the composite glyph is read as a large cast metal ingot.
Glyph91 is a variant showing two slanted strokes followed by a straight linear stroke.
koḍa ‘one’ (Santali) Rebus: koḍ‘artisan’s workshop’ (Kuwi).
The composite glyph is read rebus: ḍhālako dul , 'large cast metal ingot'' + koḍ ‘artisan’s workshop’. That is, a workshop (making) large cast metal ingots.
The three strokes together may read: kolmo ‘three’ (Mu.); rebus: kolimi ‘smithy’ (Telugu).
Chanhu-daro standard
I suggest that the composite glyph ||/ referred to by Asko Parpola as a Chanhu-daro standard may read:
smithy, workshop for large cast metal ingots.
Some examples were cited in four pages on Illustrated London News (Nov. 21, 1936, pages 908-911):
Page 909 A "Sheffield of Ancient India: Chanhu-Daro's Metal Working Industry 10 x photos of copper knives, spears , razors, axes and dishes
Page 910 Harappa Pottery, 5000 years old, Unique in Ancient India, Contrasted with Later Ware: Chanhu-Daro Dicoveries includes 16 x pictures
Page 911 Lipstick 5000 Years Old- and Other "Modern" Relics of Ancient Indiaincludes 10 x photos
Indus Meluhha Writing inscription on a Chanhu-daro Snarling iron, 2529H, ASI, Central Antiquities Collection. 74.1/48
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Snarling irons from the first quarter of the 20th century, after Otto 1922: 45 fig. 41-2. Used like special anvils for the raising of metal vessels.
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The Chanhu-daro snarling alloy (ingot) has an inscription using Indus (Meluhha) writing with five glyphs and a dot glyph. Chanhujodaro39A1 Chanhudaro39A2
The dog glyph is a notch upon the edge of the bronze snarling tool read rebus as: खांडा [ khāṇḍā ] m A jag, notch, or indentation (as upon the edge of a tool or weapon). Rebus: kāṇḍa ‘tools, pots and pans and metal-ware’.
There are 3 U glyphs: kolmo 'three' (Munda) Rebus: kolimi 'forge, smithy' (Telugu). baṭhu m. ʻ large pot in which grain is parched' (Sindhi) Rebus: bhāṭhā ʻ kiln ʼ(Awadhi). The three U glyphs together read: kolimi bhāṭhā 'forge, smithy (with) smelter/furnace'.
The pair of glyphs preceding the 3 U glyphs are comparable to the pair of feet shown on some seals (discussed further in this note).
aṭai அடை 'anvil' (Tamil) combined with the U glyph which is baṭhu yields the compound lexeme: பட்டடை¹ paṭṭaṭai (Tamil); cognate paṭṭaḍi smithy, forge (Kannada)
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The inscription on the 'snarling iron' of Chanhudaro can thus be read as: kolimi paṭṭaḍi 'anvil for smithy/forge'. The inscription accurately describes in Meluhha (Mleccha) language the function served by the anvil for raising vessels in a smithy/forge.
Reference to aṭai, aḍi அடை 'anvil' yields the clue to the rebus readings of 'feet, footprint' glyphs which occur on seals, discussed further in this note.
The dog glyph is a notch upon the edge of the bronze snarling tool read rebus as: खांडा [ khāṇḍā ] m A jag, notch, or indentation (as upon the edge of a tool or weapon). Rebus: kāṇḍa ‘tools, pots and pans and metal-ware’.
There are 3 U glyphs: kolmo 'three' (Munda) Rebus: kolimi 'forge, smithy' (Telugu). baṭhu m. ʻ large pot in which grain is parched' (Sindhi) Rebus: bhāṭhā ʻ kiln ʼ(Awadhi). The three U glyphs together read: kolimi bhāṭhā 'forge, smithy (with) smelter/furnace'.
The pair of glyphs preceding the 3 U glyphs are comparable to the pair of feet shown on some seals (discussed further in this note).
aṭai அடை 'anvil' (Tamil) combined with the U glyph which is baṭhu yields the compound lexeme: பட்டடை¹ paṭṭaṭai (Tamil); cognate paṭṭaḍi smithy, forge (Kannada)
The inscription on the 'snarling iron' of Chanhudaro can thus be read as: kolimi paṭṭaḍi 'anvil for smithy/forge'. The inscription accurately describes in Meluhha (Mleccha) language the function served by the anvil for raising vessels in a smithy/forge.
Reference to aṭai, aḍi அடை 'anvil' yields the clue to the rebus readings of 'feet, footprint' glyphs which occur on seals, discussed further in this note.
Glyph: aṭi foot, footprint (Tamil) Rebus: aḍe, aḍa, aḍi the piece of wood on which the five artisans put the article which they happen to operate upon, a support (Kannada)
Glyph: araṇe 'lizard' (Tulu) eraṇi f. ʻ anvil ʼ (Gujarati); aheraṇ, ahiraṇ, airaṇ, airṇī, haraṇ f. (Marathi)
Glyph: bhaṭa ‘six’ (G.) rebus: baṭa = kiln (Santali) baṭa = a kind of iron (Gujarati) [Note: six legs shown on the lizard glyph]
The rebus readings are: aḍi 'anvil' airaṇ 'anvil' (for use in) baṭa 'iron working' or kiln/furnace-work.
Meluhha (Mleccha) glosses from Indian sprachbund:
Ta. aṭi foot, footprint, Ma. aṭi sole of foot, footstep, measure of foot, Ko. aṛy foot (measure); Ka. aḍi foot, measure of foot, step, pace,Tu. aḍi bottom, base; kār aḍi footsole, footstep; Te.aḍugu foot, footstep, footprint, step, pace, measure of a foot, aḍi-gaṟṟa sandal, wooden shoe. Ga. (S.
அரணை Ta. araṇai typical lizard, Lacertidae; smooth streaked lizard, Lacerta interpunctula. Ma. araṇa green house lizard, L. interpunctula. Ka. araṇe, rāṇe, rāṇi greenish kind of lizard which is said to poison by licking, L. interpunctula. Tu. araṇe id. (DEDR 204).
sarvalā -- , °lī -- f. ʻ iron club or crowbar ʼ lex. 2. *sambala -- (cf. śamba -- ). [sarvalā -- (Pk. savvala -- ) sanskritization of *sabbala -- ~ *sambala -- ?] 1. Pk. sabbala -- , savvala -- m., °lā -- f. ʻ spear ʼ; P. sabbal f. ʻ crowbar (used by thieves) ʼ; Ku. sāblo ʻ iron bar ʼ; N. B. sābal ʻ crowbar ʼ, Or. sābaḷa; Bi. sābar, sābrā ʻ round -- headed anvil ʼ, sabrā, °rī ʻ tinman's small anvil (made of a bent piece of iron) ʼ, Mth. sābal; H. sābal m.(?) ʻ crowbar (esp. one used by burglars), lever, small anvil ʼ; M. sabaḷ f. ʻ crowbar ʼ. 2. K. sambal f. ʻ crowbar ʼ, L.poṭh. sãbbal m. ʻ crowbar (used by thieves for digging through a wall) ʼ; Ku. sã̄plo ʻ iron bar ʼ, gng. śã̄baw, śã̄paw; M. sãbaḷ m. ʻ large bickern ʼ.(CDIAL 13279). Ju
पहार [ pahāra ] f पहारय f C A pointed iron-bar, used in punching rocks or the ground, a bickern, a pitcher, a crowbar.(Marathi)prahāra m. ʻ blow ʼ Mn. [√hr̥]Pa. Pk. pahāra -- m. ʻ blow, wound ʼ; Kt. prōr ʻ wound ʼ, Pr. pār, pārə́ ʻ wounded ʼ (← Ind. NTS ii 198); Dm. praāŕu, praāl ʻ wound ʼ (with dissim. of r -- r NTS xii 130), Paš.lauṛ. lahāˊr, ar. plōor, weg. lahār, uz. ṣawṓr, Shum. lāar; L. pahār f. ʻ internal, wound ʼ; Or. pāhāra ʻ blow, beating, pestle of rice -- pounding machine ʼ (whence pāhurāibā ʻ to pound with a pestle ʼ); Bi. paharuwā ʻ pestle of husking machine ʼ; Si. pahara, pāra ʻ blow ʼ; Md. fāru ʻ wound ʼ. -- Altern. < parighāta -- : Or. pu(h)āri ʻ small iron chisel ʼ; G. pārī f. ʻ crowbar ʼ; M. pahār, pahāray f. ʻ iron bar, crowbar ʼ. -- Psht. parhār ʻ wound ʼ (← Ind. EVP 58) → Tir. Woṭ. parāˊr m. ʻ wound ʼ, Sv. Phal. parhāˊr, Bshk. parāˊr Buddruss Woṭ 120. Md. etifaharu ʻ blows ʼ.(CDIAL 8906). Ta. pārai crowbar, small hoe for cutting grass. Ma. pāra iron crowbar, lever, bar used for digging. Ko. pa·r crowbar. To. pa·r id. Ka. pāre id., short hoe. Tu. pāreṅgi iron crowbar, lever. Te. pāra, pāṟa spade. Kol. (Kin.) gaḍḍa pāra spade (gaḍḍa clod). Nk. (Ch.) pahar crowbar. Ga. (S.3) pāra spade. Go. (A.) pāra id. (Voc. 2195). Kuwi (S.) pāra id.(DEDR 4093).