Promotion of Learning in India during Muhammadan Rule (by Muhammadans) c17.77

c17.77

While dwelling on libraries, we should not omit to notice how painting was laid under contribution to beautify and illustrate the books in the royal library. Persian books in prose and verse were richly illuminated by eminent artists. The *Qiṣṣaḥ Ḥamzah* in twelve volumes was profusely illustrated by so many as 1400 paintings; and similarly, among many others, the following works were embellished, viz. : *Changīz-Nāmah*, *Ẓafar-Nāmah*, *Iqbāl-Nāmah*, *Razm-Nāmah*² (i.e. the *Mahābhārata*), *Rāmāyaṇa*, *Nala-Damayantī*, *Kalīlah-Damnah* (*Pañchatantra*) and the *’Ayār-Dānish* which was an easy Persian version of the *Pañchatantra*.³ Ingenious artists were employed to embellish the