Epigraphia Indica - Arabic and Persian Suppiment (2011)

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Preface It is an occasion of great pleasure for the historians and linguists interested in Perso-Arabic Epigraphy in particular and academic circles in general that a special issue of Epigraphia Indica-Arabic and Persian Supplement is being published this year to mark the I so" year celebration of Archaeological Survey of India. In other words this departmental research journal devoted to critical examination and editing of Arabic and Persian inscriptions, the publication of which could not be maintained with its ser periodicity for some genuine reasons, is being revived as is being done in case of Epigraphia Indica and Ancient India.

There was a constant pressure on the Office of the Director Epigraphy for Arabic and Persian Inscriptions, Nagpur, to bring out the journal which has a backlog of many issues. In fact when Dr. Z.A.Desai retired from the post of the Director Epigraphy in 1983 he had left a backlog of nearly 10 issues; as he edited the number of 1975 in 1984. Mr. N.M. Ganam, Superintending Epigraphist, edited two issues that of 1976 and 1977 which were published after his retirement in late nineties. After that a real dearth of Perso-Arabic epigraphist was felt in this field and as a result a backlog of many issues came to fore. This Supplement was wholly depending upon the epigraphists working in the Epigraphy Branch or outside scholars from universities, museums, state department of archaeology etc.

The Epigraphy Branch of ASI at Nagpur has meticulously gathered stumpages/photographs of nearly 15000 stone inscriptions out of which only about 2000 odd are published on the pages of ElM or EIAPS. Rest of the lot is though deciphered and noticed in the respective Annual Reports on Indian Epigraphy- these all may not be worth editing- but still there is a great number of historically important epigraphs which need to be given a chance to see the day of light in a published form because many young scholars may make use of the data stored in it. The question remains that where those contributors will come from for. critically examining and editing these epigraphs. It will be the priority of this branch after the publication of this issue that henceforth the periodicity of the journal is maintained. In my view there is no option except the training or capacity building among the available souls irrespective of their meager number or experience.

In near past the discipline of Perso-Arabic epigraphy has lost Dr. Z.A.Desai, N.M.Ganam, Dr. M.I.Quddusi and Mr. S.S.Hussain. With the profound memories, sincere tributes to the departed souls and caprice of a new beginning this special issue of Epigraphia Indica-Arabic and Persian Supplement 2011 is being put before the scholarly world.

It contains articles on 32 historically important Persian epigraphs from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, West Bengal, Kama taka and Tamil Nadu which, I am sure, will add some important pieces of information in the medieval history of India.

I hope publication of this issue will be a good omen for the development of Epigraphy.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages