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Papers by Dr. Saima Syed

Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad., 2021

Hamdard Islamicus, 2019

This study within the framework of codicology deals with almost 400 samples of the Qur... more This study within the framework of codicology deals with almost 400 samples of the Qur’an’s binding. The samples will be put in the chronological frame between 14 and 18th century CE. The significance of this study is to highlight the hybrid techniques and design of binding as well as to project the Qur’an manuscript collection of Ganjbkhsh library (GBL) Islamabad. The style of these manuscripts belongs to different regions of the subcontinent, Iran and Afghanistan. A binding is the protection of written testament of religious manuscripts and official documents. Initially only worthy manuscripts are selected for binding. Bindings are distinctive in colour combination, techniques, materials and designs. The famous centers for book binding in the 15th century are Tabriz, Baghdad, Shiraz and Heart, which influenced the Indian artisan’s work. It is noticed that, highly illuminated manuscript of the Qur’an has well designed/decorated cover (binding). Decorated covers also attract the attention of the consumers.

The study is based on primary data, collected from the Ganjbakh library Islamabad. Qur'an manuscr... more The study is based on primary data, collected from the Ganjbakh library Islamabad. Qur'an manuscript, especially bihari style is only consideration here. The aim and objective of this study to elaborate the techniques of rubrication and chrysography. And how these techniques helpful for the keen involvement of reader as well as a part of illumination of the manuscript. The study covers the possible questions regarding the significance of both techniques. The impact of chronological and regional/foreign influences on colour palette used for these techniques is the key factor of investigation. The method used for this search is, physical analysis of manuscripts, chronological study of regional and foreign influences and colour psychology for the judgments of artist/scribe behaviour towards the application of rubrication and chrysography. Secondary data drawn from the various sources like GBL of Iran, Pakistan institute of Persian studies, Islamabad, Quaid-i-Azam university, central library, TIAC department library, E-books and journals.

International Conference on the Punjab History and Culture, 2020

The present study is based on primary data from the specific collection of Ganjbkhsh library Isla... more The present study is based on primary data from the specific collection of Ganjbkhsh library Islamabad which included the only Illuminated Qur'an manuscripts (QMs) that belong to Lahore school of art under the Mughal regime. The study is conducted under the framework of codicology, that focuses on the material and structure of the book (writing surface, colours, ink, calligraphy, design, layout and binding). The specific objective of this study is to analyse the significant features of Qur'an manuscripts that designed in Mughal era by the Lahore school of art. The common object of the study is to organize the Qur'an manuscripts (QMs) chronological order and examine the difference among the QMs. The city of Lahore has been considered as the centre of excellence for the art and craft even before the Mughal regime. Many more regional and foreign influences have impact on the art of Lahore. The arrival of the new ideas in the form of art had been adopted by the artist of the Punjab and other regions of the subcontinent. The Mughal era proved to be the dynamic period to produce illuminated manuscripts of Qur'an. The artists came from the central Asia, Turkey and Persia to the subcontinent during this Mughal Era and created a significant impact on the local art and craft.

The study focused on illuminated manuscripts of the Qur'an. Samples collected from Ganj Bakhash L... more The study focused on illuminated manuscripts of the Qur'an. Samples collected from Ganj Bakhash Library (GBL) Islamabad. The purpose of this study is to highlight the common and uncommon dependent variables (calligraphy, glossy golden dots, colours, floral and geometrical shapes, marginal frames, Surah Heading, Surah indication (rosette, medallion), marginal design, variance in paper/page size, binding style and clouds underlining the text) and independent variable(time) of the sample. GBL collection is from different regions of subcontinent, Iran, Afghanistan and Kashmir. The study divided the samples into two groups. Group "A" (text with translation) and "B" (text without translation). The study is conducted under the theoretical framework of manuscriptlogy.

NIHCR, 2016

The tradition of creating manuscripts was held by the three ancient Indian religious schools of t... more The tradition of creating manuscripts was held by the three ancient Indian religious schools of thought (before Islam) like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. The collections of these manuscripts were kept in the Bhandaras for the recitations. A Jain manuscript contains topics that were considered worthy of transmission by the Jains. This manuscript was comprised of handwritten text which was written by a Jain monk, layman, or even a professional scribe employed by Jain. This manuscript is a lively living object which provides information on social history and social networks. It is a serious job for scribers and they bear the pain to work (spent a lot of time and money on this task). This might be lawful for all manuscripts but holds a particular value in the Jain context.
The most important and recited book by Jains is Kalpasutra. Its recitation and understanding are very important for the followers of the Jain. Indian techniques of illumination are employed for the beautification of this holy book. Vermillion and blue background attract the reader's attention. An analysis of this manuscript revealed multiple elements of Indian cultural and regional influences which contributed to the beautification like human figures, red dots, colours, geometrical shapes, marginal frames, rosette, medallion, marginal design, variance in paper/page size and binding style, etc.
The aim and objective of the present study are to find out the style and techniques involved in the making of Kalpasutra by Indian people in the 14-15th century. Many replicas of Kalpasutra were produced in the 15th century, which are found in the different museums and libraries of the world. This study is conducted under the framework of art history and manuscriptology.

Hamdard Islamicus, 2019

This study within the framework of codicology deals with almost 400 samples of the Quran’s bindin... more This study within the framework of codicology deals with almost 400 samples of the Quran’s binding. The samples are to be put in the chronologically frame between 14 till 18th century CE. The significance of this study is to highlight the hybrid techniques and design of binding as well as to project the collection of the Ganjbakhsh library (GBL) manuscript of the Quran. These manuscripts come from different regions of the subcontinent (India, Pakistan, and Kashmir) as Iran and Afghanistan. Binding is the protection of written testament of religious manuscripts and official documents initially. Bookbinding is an important and valuable industry of the subcontinent. The market value of binding materials is very high. Only worthy manuscripts are selected for binding. Binding designs are distinctive in colour combination, techniques (lacquer, filigree), materials, and designs. At the start, the Coptic/conventional style is adopted by the Arabs. Gradually, they established their own style. Tabriz, Baghdad, Shiraz, and Heart are main centers, famous for bookbinding in the 15th century. Each center maintained its style and identity. Indian artisan has some influence from the Middle Eastern style. It changed in the 16th century when the Mughal leadership is started in Indian land. Less use of leather, lacquer in fashioned, gold tooling, stamping, gilding, coloured paper, and pasteboard covers. Ornamentation of binding is diminishing gradually. Mostly, the highly illuminated manuscript of the Quran has well designed/decorated cover (binding). Decorated covers also attract the attention of consumers.

Conference Presentations by Dr. Saima Syed

5th international students social sciences congress Trabzon, proceeding, 2019

Abstract The study is based on primary data, collected from the Ganjbakh library Islamabad. Qur’... more Abstract
The study is based on primary data, collected from the Ganjbakh library Islamabad. Qur’an manuscript, especially Bihari style is only consideration here. The aim and objective of this study are to elaborate on the techniques of rubrication and chrysography. And how these techniques helpful for the keen involvement of the reader as well as a part of illumination of the manuscript. The study covers the possible questions regarding the significance of both techniques. The impact of chronological and regional/foreign influences on colour palette used for these techniques is the key factor of investigation. The method used for this search is, physical analysis of manuscripts, chronological study of regional and foreign influences and colour psychology for the judgments of artist/scribe behaviour towards the application of rubrication and chrysography. Secondary data drawn from the various sources like GBL of Iran, Pakistan institute of Persian studies, Islamabad, Quaid-i- Azam university, central library, TIAC department library, E-books and journals.

Keywords: Qur’an, Bihari, Chrysography, GBL, Rubrication

Thesis Chapters by Dr. Saima Syed

Thesis, 2021

Manuscriptology has received paramount importance in the learning and recognition of various hist... more Manuscriptology has received paramount importance in the learning and recognition of various historical cultures and heritage of different geographical regions of the world. The study of manuscripts is vital for the preservation of historical evidence regarding the documented human experiences, wisdom, thinking process of people of a place and
time period along with traditional values of a specific region. Manuscriptology may also reveal the medical treatment modalities available to the people of that time and a place. It may also be helpful to study and find out the important health and social issues of a society at a specific time period.

Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad., 2021

Hamdard Islamicus, 2019

This study within the framework of codicology deals with almost 400 samples of the Qur... more This study within the framework of codicology deals with almost 400 samples of the Qur’an’s binding. The samples will be put in the chronological frame between 14 and 18th century CE. The significance of this study is to highlight the hybrid techniques and design of binding as well as to project the Qur’an manuscript collection of Ganjbkhsh library (GBL) Islamabad. The style of these manuscripts belongs to different regions of the subcontinent, Iran and Afghanistan. A binding is the protection of written testament of religious manuscripts and official documents. Initially only worthy manuscripts are selected for binding. Bindings are distinctive in colour combination, techniques, materials and designs. The famous centers for book binding in the 15th century are Tabriz, Baghdad, Shiraz and Heart, which influenced the Indian artisan’s work. It is noticed that, highly illuminated manuscript of the Qur’an has well designed/decorated cover (binding). Decorated covers also attract the attention of the consumers.

The study is based on primary data, collected from the Ganjbakh library Islamabad. Qur'an manuscr... more The study is based on primary data, collected from the Ganjbakh library Islamabad. Qur'an manuscript, especially bihari style is only consideration here. The aim and objective of this study to elaborate the techniques of rubrication and chrysography. And how these techniques helpful for the keen involvement of reader as well as a part of illumination of the manuscript. The study covers the possible questions regarding the significance of both techniques. The impact of chronological and regional/foreign influences on colour palette used for these techniques is the key factor of investigation. The method used for this search is, physical analysis of manuscripts, chronological study of regional and foreign influences and colour psychology for the judgments of artist/scribe behaviour towards the application of rubrication and chrysography. Secondary data drawn from the various sources like GBL of Iran, Pakistan institute of Persian studies, Islamabad, Quaid-i-Azam university, central library, TIAC department library, E-books and journals.

International Conference on the Punjab History and Culture, 2020

The present study is based on primary data from the specific collection of Ganjbkhsh library Isla... more The present study is based on primary data from the specific collection of Ganjbkhsh library Islamabad which included the only Illuminated Qur'an manuscripts (QMs) that belong to Lahore school of art under the Mughal regime. The study is conducted under the framework of codicology, that focuses on the material and structure of the book (writing surface, colours, ink, calligraphy, design, layout and binding). The specific objective of this study is to analyse the significant features of Qur'an manuscripts that designed in Mughal era by the Lahore school of art. The common object of the study is to organize the Qur'an manuscripts (QMs) chronological order and examine the difference among the QMs. The city of Lahore has been considered as the centre of excellence for the art and craft even before the Mughal regime. Many more regional and foreign influences have impact on the art of Lahore. The arrival of the new ideas in the form of art had been adopted by the artist of the Punjab and other regions of the subcontinent. The Mughal era proved to be the dynamic period to produce illuminated manuscripts of Qur'an. The artists came from the central Asia, Turkey and Persia to the subcontinent during this Mughal Era and created a significant impact on the local art and craft.

The study focused on illuminated manuscripts of the Qur'an. Samples collected from Ganj Bakhash L... more The study focused on illuminated manuscripts of the Qur'an. Samples collected from Ganj Bakhash Library (GBL) Islamabad. The purpose of this study is to highlight the common and uncommon dependent variables (calligraphy, glossy golden dots, colours, floral and geometrical shapes, marginal frames, Surah Heading, Surah indication (rosette, medallion), marginal design, variance in paper/page size, binding style and clouds underlining the text) and independent variable(time) of the sample. GBL collection is from different regions of subcontinent, Iran, Afghanistan and Kashmir. The study divided the samples into two groups. Group "A" (text with translation) and "B" (text without translation). The study is conducted under the theoretical framework of manuscriptlogy.

NIHCR, 2016

The tradition of creating manuscripts was held by the three ancient Indian religious schools of t... more The tradition of creating manuscripts was held by the three ancient Indian religious schools of thought (before Islam) like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. The collections of these manuscripts were kept in the Bhandaras for the recitations. A Jain manuscript contains topics that were considered worthy of transmission by the Jains. This manuscript was comprised of handwritten text which was written by a Jain monk, layman, or even a professional scribe employed by Jain. This manuscript is a lively living object which provides information on social history and social networks. It is a serious job for scribers and they bear the pain to work (spent a lot of time and money on this task). This might be lawful for all manuscripts but holds a particular value in the Jain context.
The most important and recited book by Jains is Kalpasutra. Its recitation and understanding are very important for the followers of the Jain. Indian techniques of illumination are employed for the beautification of this holy book. Vermillion and blue background attract the reader's attention. An analysis of this manuscript revealed multiple elements of Indian cultural and regional influences which contributed to the beautification like human figures, red dots, colours, geometrical shapes, marginal frames, rosette, medallion, marginal design, variance in paper/page size and binding style, etc.
The aim and objective of the present study are to find out the style and techniques involved in the making of Kalpasutra by Indian people in the 14-15th century. Many replicas of Kalpasutra were produced in the 15th century, which are found in the different museums and libraries of the world. This study is conducted under the framework of art history and manuscriptology.

Hamdard Islamicus, 2019

This study within the framework of codicology deals with almost 400 samples of the Quran’s bindin... more This study within the framework of codicology deals with almost 400 samples of the Quran’s binding. The samples are to be put in the chronologically frame between 14 till 18th century CE. The significance of this study is to highlight the hybrid techniques and design of binding as well as to project the collection of the Ganjbakhsh library (GBL) manuscript of the Quran. These manuscripts come from different regions of the subcontinent (India, Pakistan, and Kashmir) as Iran and Afghanistan. Binding is the protection of written testament of religious manuscripts and official documents initially. Bookbinding is an important and valuable industry of the subcontinent. The market value of binding materials is very high. Only worthy manuscripts are selected for binding. Binding designs are distinctive in colour combination, techniques (lacquer, filigree), materials, and designs. At the start, the Coptic/conventional style is adopted by the Arabs. Gradually, they established their own style. Tabriz, Baghdad, Shiraz, and Heart are main centers, famous for bookbinding in the 15th century. Each center maintained its style and identity. Indian artisan has some influence from the Middle Eastern style. It changed in the 16th century when the Mughal leadership is started in Indian land. Less use of leather, lacquer in fashioned, gold tooling, stamping, gilding, coloured paper, and pasteboard covers. Ornamentation of binding is diminishing gradually. Mostly, the highly illuminated manuscript of the Quran has well designed/decorated cover (binding). Decorated covers also attract the attention of consumers.

5th international students social sciences congress Trabzon, proceeding, 2019

Abstract The study is based on primary data, collected from the Ganjbakh library Islamabad. Qur’... more Abstract
The study is based on primary data, collected from the Ganjbakh library Islamabad. Qur’an manuscript, especially Bihari style is only consideration here. The aim and objective of this study are to elaborate on the techniques of rubrication and chrysography. And how these techniques helpful for the keen involvement of the reader as well as a part of illumination of the manuscript. The study covers the possible questions regarding the significance of both techniques. The impact of chronological and regional/foreign influences on colour palette used for these techniques is the key factor of investigation. The method used for this search is, physical analysis of manuscripts, chronological study of regional and foreign influences and colour psychology for the judgments of artist/scribe behaviour towards the application of rubrication and chrysography. Secondary data drawn from the various sources like GBL of Iran, Pakistan institute of Persian studies, Islamabad, Quaid-i- Azam university, central library, TIAC department library, E-books and journals.

Keywords: Qur’an, Bihari, Chrysography, GBL, Rubrication

Thesis, 2021

Manuscriptology has received paramount importance in the learning and recognition of various hist... more Manuscriptology has received paramount importance in the learning and recognition of various historical cultures and heritage of different geographical regions of the world. The study of manuscripts is vital for the preservation of historical evidence regarding the documented human experiences, wisdom, thinking process of people of a place and
time period along with traditional values of a specific region. Manuscriptology may also reveal the medical treatment modalities available to the people of that time and a place. It may also be helpful to study and find out the important health and social issues of a society at a specific time period.