Definition: Bengali numerals refer to the set of symbols used to represent numbers in the Bengali script, which is primarily used in Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal for writing the Bengali language.
Overview: Bengali numerals are part of the larger family of Eastern Indic numerals, which evolved from the Brahmi script. They are used in both formal and informal contexts within Bengali-speaking regions to denote numerical values, such as in print media, government documents, education, and digital communication. While Arabic numerals (0, 1, 2, etc.) are also widely used and often preferred in technical, scientific, and digital settings, Bengali numerals remain in common use, particularly in literary and traditional contexts.
Etymology/Origin: The Bengali numerals originated from the ancient Brahmi numeral system, which was in use across the Indian subcontinent from around the 3rd century BCE. Over centuries, regional variations developed as the Brahmi script evolved into various regional scripts, including the Bengali script. The modern form of Bengali numerals emerged during the 11th to 14th centuries CE as the script diverged from the proto-Bengali or Eastern Nagari script. They share close similarities with Assamese numerals, which are nearly identical in form.
Characteristics: Bengali numerals consist of ten distinct digits corresponding to values 0 through 9. Their forms differ visually from Western Arabic numerals but represent the same decimal system. For example:
- ০ (0), ১ (1), ২ (2), ৩ (3), ৪ (4)
- ৫ (5), ৬ (6), ৭ (7), ৮ (8), ৯ (9)
These numerals are positional and used in conjunction with the Bengali script in written text. They follow the same mathematical rules as Arabic numerals. In Unicode, Bengali numerals are encoded in the Bengali block (U+09E6 to U+09EF).
Related Topics:
- Brahmi numerals
- Eastern Indic numerals
- Arabic numerals
- Bengali script
- Numeral systems of South Asia
- Assamese numerals
These numerals are an integral part of the cultural and linguistic heritage of the Bengali-speaking population and are supported in digital typography and computing through international encoding standards.