Author
Sweilem, Adel, Obaid, Shibl
Type
Book
Language
Arabic
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Library
Royal Danish Library
Library Asset ID
ISSN: 1026-9576, EISSN: 2959-9830, DOI: 10.34120/ajh.v33i130.2485
Record ID
cdi_crossref_primary_10_34120_ajh_v33i130_2485
Library Location
EBSCOhost Humanities International Complete
Notes
This research is concerned with studying a number of Persian inscriptions executed on some religious buildings in the Khanate of Khiva in the Khiva region of Central Asia, in the period from the first quarter of the 12th century AH/18AD until the last quarter of the 13th century AH/19AD. These inscriptions were executed on top of the entrance blocks and on their stones, on floors of ceramic tiles known in that region as “maiolka,” or on marble. We will address these inscriptions through two different directions, one of which represents the form of the calligraphy in which these inscriptions are executed, and the other: deals with study and analysis of the content of those inscriptions. As for the form of the script, the inscriptions on the buildings of the Khanate of Khiva were executed in several languages, ranging from Persian, Arabic, Ottoman Turkish, and Chagat Turkish, most of which were written in the Persian Nastaliq script. This diversity in using multiple Islamic languages to implement the founding inscriptions on the buildings is considered one of the distinctive features of the inscriptions on the buildings of Khiva, which may have set it apart from all the major khanates of Central Asia. The predominance of the use of the Nasta'liq script is due to the spread of Persian culture in Central Asia in general, a culture in which the spread of the Nasta'liq script began at the beginning of the Safavid era, after its rules had been established by the great calligraphers during the Timurid era in Iran and Central Asia. As for the content of these inscriptions, it was also characterized by diversity. It included - among other things - a number of religious inscriptions (Qur’anic verses) and supplications, in addition to some recording inscriptions, which included many of the names of the rulers and princes who ruled “Khiva” in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries AH/the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries AD and their titles, as well as the dates of construction or completion of the building that were recorded according to the camel account. These contents demonstrate the extent of their connection to the political conditions that prevailed in the Central Asian region in the period under study. The purpose of this research paper is to study Persian inscriptions carved on a collection of religious buildings located in Khania Khiwa within the Khwarazm region of Central Asia. The study focuses on the period between 12 A.H/ 18 A.D century and the last quarter of 13 A.H/ 19 A.D. The inscriptions were engraved above the entrances of the buildings as well as throughout their interior areas, on both marble and ceramic flooring known as “al-Mayolka.” This paper evaluates these inscriptions by applying two different approaches. The first is an examination of the form or shape of these engravings and the second involves an analytical study of their content. In regards to matters concerning form and shape: The inscriptions were carved in various languages that include Persian, Arabic, Ottoman Turkish and Ghegtaei Turkish. Most of these inscriptions were carved based on the Persian Nasta'liq script. The engravings are essentially a conglomeration of a diversity of Islamic languages and this is considered to be a special feature of inscription that distinguishes Khiwa buildings from those in other parts of Central Asia. Moreover, the Nasta'liq script was commonly used in Central Asia, especially among the Persian community. In fact, since the beginning of the Safavid Empire, the Persian culture became widely exposed to Nasta'liq script soon after well-practiced epigraphers in Iran and Central Asia established the rules of the script during the Timurid period. Variety is also prevalent within the content of these inscriptions. For example, a number of Quranic verses and Ahadith (Islamic sayings) are etched side by side with the names of rulers and princes who governed Khiwa during the 12-13 A.H/ 18-19 A.D centuries. The combination of these different subject matters contribute to providing a deeper understanding of the political affairs as well as the spiritual principles which Central Asia had paid much attention to during the period this study focuses on. The purpose of this research paper is to study Persian inscriptions carved on a collection of religious buildings located in Khania Khiwa within the Khwarazm region of Central Asia. The study focuses on the period between 12 A.H/ 18 A.D century and the last quarter of 13 A.H/ 19 A.D. The inscriptions were engraved above the entrances of the buildings as well as throughout their interior areas, on both marble and ceramic flooring known as “al-Mayolka.” This paper evaluates these inscriptions by applying two different approaches. The first is an examination of the form or shape of these engravings and the second involves an analytical study of their content. In regards to matters concerning form and shape: The inscriptions were carved in various languages that include Persian, Arabic, Ottoman Turkish and Ghegtaei Turkish. Most of these inscriptions were carved based on the Persian Nasta'liq script. The engravings are essentially a conglomeration of a diversity of Islamic languages and this is considered to be a special feature of inscription that distinguishes Khiwa buildings from those in other parts of Central Asia. Moreover, the Nasta'liq script was commonly used in Central Asia, especially among the Persian community. In fact, since the beginning of the Safavid Empire, the Persian culture became widely exposed to Nasta'liq script soon after well-practiced epigraphers in Iran and Central Asia established the rules of the script during the Timurid period. Variety is also prevalent within the content of these inscriptions. For example, a number of Quranic verses and Ahadith (Islamic sayings) are etched side by side with the names of rulers and princes who governed Khiwa during the 12-13 A.H/ 18-19 A.D centuries. The combination of these different subject matters contribute to providing a deeper understanding of the political affairs as well as the spiritual principles which Central Asia had paid much attention to during the period this study focuses on.
Görüntüle
al-Majallah al-ʻArabīyah lil-ʻulūm al-insānīyah, 2015-04, Vol.33 (130), p.83-122
