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CONTENTS |
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| CONTENTS:- Preface; 1. Introductory; 2. Origin and spread of Perso-Arabic scripts; 3. Material, styles of calligraphic writing and scribes; 4. Language, poets and poetical compositions; 5. Dates, eras and dating systems; 6. Subject matter; 7. Saints, sects, mystics and mysticism; 8. Prayers, benedictions and curses; Appendices: 1. Select inscriptional texts with references, translations and annotations; 2. Glossary of names and subjects in old Persian history, legends and Islamic religion; 3. The Moabite stone; 4. The Abjad sustem; 5. Muslim calligraphy: the Orthodox Sanction, history and inscriptions; 6. Genealogy of Qutb Shahi Kings and their Queens as are mentioned in epigraphs and other sources; 7. A note on the pre-Mughal imperial calligraphic style; 8. A note on eastern Indian calligraphic style; Select bibliography; Index; Plates; Chart: 1. Arabic and its earlier affiliated alphabets; 2. Comparative table of values of letters; 3. Perso-Arabic script: Kufic in Indian epigraphy; 4. Perso-Arabic script: imperial forms; 5. Perso-Arabic script: eastern regional forms; Map showing homeland of calligraphers. |
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DESCRIPTION |
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| The official study of Perso-Arabic epigraphy of the erstwhile Indian Sub-Continent commenced with the early years of this century, precisely from after being so published from 1907 A.D. onwards. Besides, publication of these records, in situ on mosques, mausoleums and other religious or secular edifices, was taken up by academic bodies in some parts of the land on their own initiative. Yet, except for their decipherment and translations, and in very many cases, sparing comments, no serious analytical study of the valuable contents of this enormous material was attempted, except for some recent efforts, regional as they are. The present work, though by no means exhaustive, is a laudable attempt at analysis of these records in their different aspects. This analytical study of these contemporary records reveals at once the great contribution made by those that encouraged these to be so recorded under different inspirations, imperial of local, with different poesy and different urges, administrative or purely sentimental, and under different circumstances, whether religious or social to the growth of a mass of source material. The contents of these records have been laid bare here with a rare lucidity unravelling their hitherto missed literary excellences, calligraphic niceties, and above all, the contributive cultural activities that in course of time formed a united whole which easily goes by the name of Indian Culture. The work in eight chapters with its eight Appendices, a helpful Glossary, forty illustrative and representative calligraphic writings, a Chart to show the growth of the Perso-Arabic script and a map locating trans-Indian regions from where calligraphers came to lend their hands here, thus proving the international ties in the field of art, is by all measure an unparalleled treat. |
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