MODI

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The Marathi language spoken predominantly in Maharashtra and Goa is primarily written in the Devanagari Script. Just as the Gujarati script underwent certain transformation for ease and speed of writing, the same necessity led to the creation of another form of Devanagari called Modi Script. Under the Maratha rule, Modi Lipi (Script) achieved the zenith of its popularity and aesthetics when it received the honour of becoming the official script. It not only had a widespread use but also saw emergence of numerous styles that were named after the era they were used in. some examples are the proto-Modi style or Yādyakālīn, the Bahamanī Era i.e.  Bahamanīkālīn, the style developed during Shivaji’s Era named Shivakālīn, the one styled in the Era of the Peshwa’s - Peshvekālīn and finally the changes made during the British Colonial era, called the Ānglakālīn. One can see the the oldest document in Modi script from 1389 that is preserved at and by the Bhārat Itihās Sanshodhan Mandal. Speaking of the form of this script one can see where it differs from the Gujarati while deviating from the Devanagari is the ‘Shirorekha’ .Instead of eliminating the same it is retained as a continuous line that enables use of a ‘ruled page’ thereby increasing the speed while writing.

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The Modi saw a decline in use since Independence with Devanagari emerging as the primary script for Marathi. It is however learnt by historians and researcher to decipher many documents that give a valuable insight into history especially of Maharashtra.