The Institutes of Akbar 73.7

73.7

In Írán and Túrán, India, and Turkey, there are eight calligraphical systems current, of which each one is liked by some people. Six of them were derived, in A. H. 310, by Ibn i Muqlah from the Ma’qalí and the Kúfic characters, viz., the Suls, Taugí’, Muhaqqaq, Naskh, Raihán, Riqá’. Some add the Ghubár, and say that this seventh character had likewise been invented by him. The Naskh character is ascribed by many to Yáqút, a slave of the Khalifah Musta’cam Billah. The Suls and the Naskh consist each of one-third curved lines, and two-thirds straight lines; the former (the suls) is jali, whilst the latter (the naskh) is khaft. The Tauqi’ and Riqa’ consist of three-fourths curved lines, and one-fourth straight lines; the former is jali, the latter is khaft. The Muhaqqaq and Raihan contain three-fourths straight lines; the former, as in the preceding, is jali, and the Raihan khaft. Among famous copyists I must mention ’Ali ibn i Hilal, better known under the name of Ibn i Bawwab; he wrote well the six characters. Yaqut brought them to perfection. Six of Yaqut’s pupils are noticeable; 1. Shaikh Ahmad, so well known under the name of Shaikhzadah i Suhrwardi; 2. Arghun of Kabul; 3. Maulana Yusuf Shah of Mashhad; 4. Maulana Mubarik Shah, styled Zarrin qalam (the golden pen); 5. Haidar, called Gandahnawis (i. e., the writer of the jali); 6. Mir Yahya.