Devanagari alphabet
Details of Devanagari, the Indian alphabet used to write Sanskrit, Hindi and many other languages
Overview
Added
March 17, 2026
Subject & domain
language · hindi
Grade range
Grade 6–Grade 12 (Senior)
Page kind
Article
Introduction
Overview of the Devanagari Alphabet
- Origins: Developed from the 8th-century Nāgarī script (a variant of the Gupta script). It began replacing the Siddham script around 1200 AD and reached a form resembling the modern alphabet by the 10th century.
- Etymology: The name is derived from two Sanskrit words: deva (god/celestial) and nāgarī (city). It is commonly translated as "script of the city" or "script of the city of the Gods."
- Regional Variations:
- Classical/Northern (Kalikata): Historically used in Northern India.
- Modern/Southern (Mumbai): Used in Southern India and currently serves as the standard form.
- Conjunct Consonants: The script features approximately 1,000 conjunct consonants, primarily combining two or three consonants, though some combinations include four or even five.
- Linguistic Usage: Devanagari is used to write a vast array of languages, including Hindi, Sanskrit, Marathi, Nepali, Konkani, Kashmiri, and many others.
Community reviews
No published reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience.