Example of Zafar's Calligraphy
| Support Type: | Paper |
| Paint Type: | Ink |
| Current Location: | British Library |
| Location History: | Created in Delhi during the brief cultural renaissance of Zafar’s court, where he patronized legendary poets like Ghalib and Zauq. After the failed 1857 Uprising, many royal artifacts were dispersed. This piece eventually passed through the hands of prominent colonial-era dealers, such as S. J. Telléry & Co., who operated in major Indian cities like Delhi and Bombay. Today, this specific manuscript leaf is part of the British Library collection in London. |
This beautiful writing was made by Bahadur Shah Zafar around 1850. It is a mix of how powerful the king was and how much he loved God. The king used a style of writing called Tughra to write the names of the Panjtan Paak in a special shield shape that is perfect on both sides. This kind of writing makes you feel like everything is okay and balanced. The big lines going up and down are like pillars that hold the whole thing together. The picture looks good because it has a lot of contrast. The black ink in the middle is against a gold background, which means the light from God and being king forever. Around the middle are flowers and bright borders that remind you of the "Gardens of Paradise" which is something that people who like Mughal art really like. This piece of art is more than a paper about religion. It shows what Bahadur Shah Zafar was like. It shows he was strong like a king and also a poet who loved God. He was really good, at making art even when he was not as powerful as he used to be.
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