Cultural, Historical and Political Aspects of Perso-Arabic Epigraphy in India

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.

A Graduate in Arabic and a First Class First M.A. in Islamic History and Culture with Epigraphy and Numismatics, Indian and of Islamic Countries abroad, as special subject, equally an M.A. with a First Class in Sanskrit, and First in the special subjects of Ancient Indian Epigraphy and Iconography, Professor A.K. Bhattacharyya is uniquely equipped for researches in both ancient and Medieval periods of history and culture of the Indian Sub-continent.

Initially a Lecturer in Sanskrit in Colleges and Principal for a year, he joined Museum Service at the Indian Museum, Calcutta and took training in Archaeological excavations at Taxila and Sisupalgarh under the Archaeological Survey of India.

Trained in museology in London, he was elected Fellow of the Museums Association of England and served the two national museums in India-the National Museum, New Delhi and the Indian Museum, Calcutta, the latter as Director for more than ten years.

Concurrently with museum service, he was appointed Lecturer in the Post-Graduate Departments of Islamic History and Culture and Sanskrit, Calcutta University, where he served for more than a decade.

In India, awarded a Post-Graduate Research Fellowship by the Govt. of undivided Bengal, PRS of the Calcutta University, and a Senior Research Fellowship by the Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi, Professor Bhattacharyya received from abroad, a Japan Foundation Fellowship and Fellowship of the Pacific Cultural Foundation, for researches in Japanese and Chinese Buddhist art, respectively.

In the Republic of China, Professor Bhattacharyya on appointment as a Visiting Professor, served the National University and the University of Chinese Culture for a year and a half.

With a number of major publications in India and abroad, and numerous research Papers contributed to Monographs and Journal, in this Country and outside. Professor Bhattacharyya has been honoured with the highest award in the field of research in India, the Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowship.

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