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.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR A K Bhattacharyya
A renowned scholar in East Asian Art in addition to his contribution to the study of all branches of Indian art, Professor A.K. Bhattacharyya has made a mark as an art-historian since long. His other interests include epigraphy and numismatics in which he has well-known publications. One of his works on Aspects of Perso-Arabic Epigraphy of India has earned worldwide commendation. His visits to Japan four times since 1968 and upto 1980, include a stay for a year in that country on a Japan Foundation Fellowship which he utilized in visiting almost all places of Buddhist interest, studying temples and sculptures. He took special care to study the stone sculptures in the southernmost island, Kylshi, by personal visits to the caverns and the rock-cut images in the Oita Prefecture and a few other places. Back from the study-tours in the Republic of China and Japan, Professor Bhattacharyya was awarded the Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowship for his wide range of contribution to the study of the art of India and abroad. Among his works, A Corpus of Dedicatory Inscriptions for Temples of West Bengal; A Pageant of Indian Culture "Art & Archaeology; Historical, Cultural and Political Aspects of Perso-Arabic Epigraphy of India; Development of Buddhist Iconography in China, Korea and Japan from Indian Concepts; Buddhist Stone Sculpture of Japan; Thai Buddhist Iconography" Calcutta University on is dissertation: Studies in Jaina Iconography. Academically he has the most distinguished records and his linguistic equipment is the most unique in India, being a graduate in Arabic, and B.A. (Hons.) and M.A. in Sanskrit with a First class. He also secured the first class position in M.A. in Islamic History and Culture with Epigraphy and Numismatics as special subjects. He held important positions in India throughout his career. After being a Lecturer and Principal of Colleges for the first eight years of his service career, he served as Asstt. Curator, Archaeological Survey, Deputy Keeper and Keeper of Art Deptt. at the National Museum, New Delhi, Superintending Archaeologist in charge of the Museums Branch of the Archaeological Survey of India, and finally as Director, Indian Museum, Calcutta. On retirement, served the National University in the Republic of China as Visiting Professor.
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