Protocol of address

Collection of literary compositions (munsha'at) on appropriate praises to a ruler, written in Indian ta'liq script during the 17th and 18th centuries. Dimensions of Written Surface: 12.5 (w) x 24.8 (h) cm Executed in black Indian ta'liq, the text is outlined in gold cloud bands on a beige paper. The background is decorated with delicate flower and vine motifs painted in gold. In the lower panel, three lines of text are written diagonally, while the empty spaces in the upper left and lower right corners of this panel are filled by illuminated triangles (or thumb pieces). The text panel is framed by two blue borders and pasted to a pink sheet of paper backed by cardboard. This fragment probably formed part of a collection of literary compositions (munsha'at) showing how to write appropriate praises to a ruler. Like this piece, a number of these calligraphies appear to have been executed in ta'liq script in India during the 17th and 18th centuries (see 1-85-154.4). Other works of insha' providing examples of how to compose letters to a friend made in India at this time also are held in the collections of the Library of Congress (see 1-87-154.146a R et seq.). This particular fragment shows how to compose a formal praise (na't or munajat) to a ruler using his many honorific epithets (alqab). It provides a blueprint for the literary protocols used in addressing a high-ranking patron. Script: Indian ta'liq 1-85-154.94