One Turn of the Stroke

The mark for long u differs from the mark for short u by an added turn, and both hang below the consonant sign. It is a small difference to carry a large distinction, and it is exactly the kind of difference that a weathered surface destroys. Where the vowel quantity of a word in an inscription is uncertain, it is usually one of these two marks that is at issue, and the reading offered will often depend on what the language requires rather than on what can actually be seen. That is legitimate practice and it is stated openly in a careful edition, but it means the epigraphic record of vowel quantity is thinner than the transcriptions can make it appear.

The independent letter has the narrower use of the two forms, since only a word opening with the vowel calls for it. Words beginning with long u are not numerous in either Sanskrit or Prakrit, so the sign is among those an inscription of moderate length may never have occasion to carry. It keeps its place in the order regardless, because the order runs through the vowels in short and long pairs and a missing member would break the pattern the whole table is taught by. Every script descended from Brahmi keeps the letter in sixth place for the same reason.