Kadamba script

The Kadamba script is the first writing system devised specifically for writing Kannada and it was later adopted to write Telugu language .The Kadamba script is also known as Pre-Old-Kannada script.

The Kadamba script is one of the oldest of the southern group of the Brahmi script. By the 5th century CE it became distinct from other Brahmi variants and was used in southern Indian states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It evolved into the Kannada-Telugu alphabet by the 10th century CE and was used to write Kannada and Telugu. It is also related to the Sinhala script.

History
During the rule of Kadamba 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 the Western 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, the Telugu-Kannada alphabet stabilized during the rule of the Chalukyas of Badami from 500-1000 and Rastrakutas.

Inscriptions in Kadamba script

 * Gudnapur Inscription on 20-foot-long stone pillar written in Kadamba script
 * Copper plate inscriptions in Kadamba (Pre - Chalukya) script, Kadamba-Pallava script, Kannada-Telugu script are available at Chennai museum
 * Halmidi inscription
 * Talagunda pillar inscription