Unknown - Quran - India (Bihar) - 1425

A highly desirable illuminated manuscript folio from a dispersed Qur'an originating in the state of Bihar, India, circa 1425.

The folio contains scripture from Surah An-Nisa (Women) v.150-155, cut across by a header labelled Surat An-Nisa. This is unusual coming half towards the end of the Chapter as it does. The aya (verse markings) are simple but effective in gold with 6 radials, with references to 'Allah' (God) in gold lettering. The whole is framed simply in red and blue lines.

The fundamental Islamist ideas within these verses are: that revelation being one continuous divine history and cannot be selectively accepted; that God is not to be divided among competing religious cabins (Tawhid); that faith involves obedience; that the Quran presents sacred history as moral history; that Prophets possess moral authority and; that divine mercy remains an essential counterpoint. the 6 verses are a coherent theological unit.

The prosperous state of Bihar, lying south of Nepal close bordering the Ganges river, became Muslim in the 12th century originally under the Bengal Governors. The Muslim calligraphers developed a distinctive style of script called Bihari (after the State), characterised by wide, heavy and extended horizontal lines, and thin verticals. Because Bihar is a warm and humid province, manuscripts from there, do not generally keep well. This one, however, is in usually good condition despite the damp staining upper right of the folio, with the scripture untouched by damp and the juz, Surah and gold 'aya' (roundels) all being in a good state.

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