What's the origin of this letter?

[u/More_Living9471]

For those who don't know, this is The letter झ, primarily used in early Nepali printings. You might see this letter in some old prints of novels and books (I think those published by sajha prakashan).

Can anyone tell me what's the origin of this?

[u/reddit_niwasi]

Never saw in Hindi

[u/SaapaduRaman]

Believe it or not, this is also the primary form used in Rajasthan before adoption of modern standard Devanagari. It must be an older form. In the eastern Hindi area (Bihar and eastern UP) you will also find a different form for the same letter historically.

[u/More_Living9471 → u/SaapaduRaman]

I've seen the other form. It's the letter I'm showing k. The screen. This version is still taught in my country.

[u/FuckPigeons2025 → u/More_Living9471]

This is one is common enough.  Go and see old shops/stalls in Jhansi, you might see it. 

[u/Resident-Repeat7487]

I have not seen a “JH” like this

[u/Resident-Repeat7487]

Lagta hai is JH ne jhal mudi kha li hai!!

[u/Sad_Daikon938]

Hey, unrelated but Gujarati has ઝ for झ, that is similar looking to the one in the posted image.

Actually the OG Ashokan Brahmi character is 𑀛, its later evolution, one used during Gupta era in northern India (and potentially Nepal too) is in the attached image. (It's a black letter in a transparent background so view in light mode if it's invisible)

[u/Sad_Daikon938 → u/Sad_Daikon938]

Furthermore, here's the various descendants of Brahmi, the letters analogous to झ are in the "jh-" column. It seems that the modern standard Hindi Devanagari looks to be the odd one out.

[u/TraditionalBit01 → u/Sad_Daikon938]

img source?

[u/Sad_Daikon938 → u/TraditionalBit01]

Wikipedia, Brahmi script