EPIGRAPHS - ART AND
CULTURE
News: Epigraphs shine light on Kashmir’s
rich cultural past
What's in the news?
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Epigraphs or inscriptions, including calligraphic
works, from 40 heritage sites in Kashmir
are on display at Srinagar’s Kashmir Arts Emporium.
Key Highlights:
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Epigraphs from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries, on display at a Srinagar
exhibition, shine a light on Kashmir’s past.
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It will tell about the domination of the Persian language, local Hindus’ praise for Sultan
Sikander, and community wells constructed by the Mughals.
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It maps architectural epigraphy from early modern
Kashmir and puts a spotlight on inscriptions on khanqahs, mosques, temples,
shrines and mausoleums.
Epigraphy:
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Epigraphy is the study of inscriptions that are engraved on stone tablets, metal
plates, pillars, walls of caves, etc.
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It serves as primary
documentary evidence to establish legal, socio-cultural, literary,
religious, archaeological, and historical antiquity based on engravings.
Significance of
Epigraphy:
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Epigraphy in architecture is an important and
essential part of what is defined as material
culture.
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Epigraphs have the potential to even correct the errors which have crept
into our textual histories (Reconstructing
history).
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Epigraphy is a primary tool of archaeology when
dealing with literate cultures.
Benefits of Epigraphs in
Kashmir:
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These epigraphs cover over four centuries of religious and literary writings, commencing with
the establishment of Sultanate rule in Kashmir in the 14th century.
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Deciphering some of the rarest texts written in Persian, Arabic and Sanskrit, the
exhibition borrows from translations, photographs and recreated drawings
offering a comprehensive mapping of our past.
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Epigraphs help in understanding the ‘mizaj’ or socio-religious milieu of the period.
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An epigraph from Khanmoh in Sanskrit mentions a ‘maath’ foundation during the reign of
Zain-ul-Abidin.
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It refers to his father as the illustrious
Sikander.
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Sikander is rather infamous as Butshikan (someone
who destroyed Hindu statues).
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Inscription from the Jamia Masjid in Srinagar
highlights the reconstruction overseen by a native Kashmiri engineer, historian
and administrator, Malik Haider of Chadoora area.
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The inscription is from the period when the mosque
was burnt during Emperor Jahangir’s time.
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The calligrapher was a Kashmiri master i.e. Mulla
Murad, famous as Shirin Kalam (Sweet pen).
○
However, the engraver was a Hindu, Hari Ram, whose
name is also recorded.
Go back to basics:
Sultan Sikander:
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Sikandar was the seventh Sultan of Kashmir and a member of Shah Mir dynasty who
ruled from 1389 until his death in 1413.
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The only contemporaneous source that exists is the Rajatarangini by Jonaraja.
○ Jonaraja was the Brahmin court-poet of Sikandar’s successor Zain-ul-Abidin and was commissioned to continue Kalhana’s Rajatarangini.