Page from a Behari Qur'an (Primary Title)
Title Page from a Behari Qur'an (Primary Title)
Unknown (Artist)
Few Qur’ans from the Sultanate period (ca. 1200–1550) have survived India’s extreme climate and waves of political disruption. This page from a 15th-century example shows the distinctive Indian behari script developed for Islam’s foundational text. Its long horizontal flourishes, relatively short verticals, and accentuated intervals between words create a lively visual rhythm presented here in alternating lines of black, gold, and blue. Small rosettes mark individual verses, and a colorful rectangular cartouche announces the 58th sura (chapter). This textual transition—also the beginning of the Qur’an’s 28th juz’ (division)—is further indicated by two intricately embellished marginal medallions. Commentary is densely scrawled in the outer margin.
Gold, black, and blue lines (13 recto, 11 verso) of Arabic in behari script. Arabic in gold within three illuminated cartouches on verso denoting sura (chapter) heading and juz’ (division) break. Select Arabic words from the main text in red and blue within two outer margins. Persian commentary in black in outermost margin.
Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
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