Calligraphy as an Art in the Architectural Inscriptions of Muslim Bengal

Abstract

"Islamic calligraphy forms an important theme in Islamic architecture. Like elsewhere in the Islamic world. Muslim rulers in Bengal also paid special attention to architectural inscriptions as they built numerous mosques, madrassahs, bridges, palaces, castles and forts. Most of these monuments had some kind of calligraphic inscriptions on them since Islamic culture considered calligraphy a powerful medium to convey visual. cultural, and spiritual messages to its people. These inscriptions were rendered in various styles such as Küfi, thulth, naskh, riqa, rayhani, muhqquq tughra and Bihari. The overall cultural continuity of the Muslims of Bengal and their counterparts elsewhere in the Muslim world reminds us of the importance of beauty and aesthetic perception in Islamic tradition of architecture as reflected in Islamic calligraphic heritage. Thus, in spite of their many distinctive local cultural features, one soon discovers in these wonderful epigraphic treasures the most vibrant message unity within diversity that is prevalent everywhere in Islamic culture. This paper aims at analyzing the inner dynamics of the social, intellectual, and religious transformations of Bengal using its rich Islamic epigraphic heritage".