Characteristics of Islamic Calligraphy: Nasta‘liq, Persian Calligraphy Influences on Mughal Architecture of 17th Century

Abstract

The investigation on Islamic calligraphy, particularly Nasta‘liq calligraphy, mainly focuses only on the history of calligraphy, calligraphers’ biographies, and calligraphy’s origins and training. No significant or pervasive research has been done on the identity or characteristics of the calligraphy forms and their traditional principles. Fewer studies have examined the visual character of calligraphy academically or considered it a research subject in its own right. Moreover, the Persian influence on Mughal architectural calligraphy faces a recognition gap and there is a need for more academic documentation. These are the particulars that this research aims to address. The research focuses on the characteristics and prominent features of Persian calligraphy, especially Naskh and Nasta‘liq writing styles of Persian origin. The study also dwells on the Persian calligraphy influences on the mosque architecture of the Mughal era. This research explored the physicality and intellectual characteristics of the Mughal calligraphy visuals. Two art theories—instrumentalism and formalism—are combined as a research method.