The conquest of India and the spread of Arabic calligraphy.
In 94 AH, Muhammad bin Qasim led his army to invade India, which resulted in the introduction of Islam to the region and the spread of Arabic calligraphy. Sindh became an Islamic province, and Islamic influence extended to Punjab. Later, the situation stabilized after successive conquests, especially following the campaigns of Sultan Sebuktigin of Ghazni, who consolidated his control over the region. In 376 AH, Mahmud of Ghazni was born, playing a pivotal role in expanding Islamic conquests in India, further strengthening the presence of Islam and Arabic calligraphy in the Indian subcontinent.
The earliest Arabic inscriptions in India and the spread of Kufic script.
The history of the earliest Arabic scripts in India is closely tied to the arrival of Muslims in Sindh. The oldest inscription discovered in India is located in the Jama Masjid of “Bhamur” and is considered one of the earliest examples of Arabic calligraphy engraved on stone during the Islamic era. This inscription was written in the Kufic script, characterized by the absence of diacritical marks and dots, while adhering to the artistic rules and distinctive structural elements of this style. This indicates the maturity of Arabic calligraphy during that period. Over time, other forms of Arabic scripts spread throughout the region.
India’s negotiations with the Mughals and the flourishing of Islamic arts during the reign of Muhammad Shah.
In 697 AH, the Mongol forces, led by Genghis Khan, invaded India. However, the Muhammad Shah dynasty managed to negotiate with the Mongols by offering gifts and money, which led the Mongols to withdraw from power. India prospered under Muhammad Shah’s rule, and many Indians embraced Islam. During his reign, Islamic arts experienced significant growth, particularly in calligraphy and ornamentation, fueled by his great passion for the arts. He established an art institute that engaged a large number of artists. He was succeeded by his son Jahangir in 1014 AH, who was also an artist deeply interested in decoration and practiced it himself.
The development of Islamic architecture during the reigns of Muhammad Shah and Jahangir.
Alongside the flourishing of arts and ornamentation, Islamic architecture in India experienced significant development during the reigns of Muhammad Shah and his son Jahangir. Religious buildings and royal palaces were influenced by distinctive Islamic designs, with a focus on the use of Arabic calligraphy, geometric patterns, and floral motifs. This period witnessed the construction of numerous mosques and shrines that reflected the evolution of architectural art in Islamic India. The architectural and engineering fields saw unprecedented advancements thanks to the art institute founded by Muhammad Shah, whose influence continued during the rule of his son Jahangir, who encouraged the continuation of this unique artistic approach.
