Meaning of the term Diwan-i-Insha used during Delhi Sultanate
The Diwan-i-Insha was a department of the Delhi Sultanate during the medieval period in India. The term “Diwan” refers to a government department responsible for the collection and management of revenue, while “Insha” means “correspondence” or “letter writing.”
The Diwan-i-Insha was responsible for the administration of royal correspondence, including the drafting of official letters, edicts, and proclamations. The department was also responsible for maintaining records of official correspondence, and for ensuring that all official documents were written in the appropriate language and style.
The head of the Diwan-i-Insha was known as the Insha-i-Mamalik, who was appointed by the sultan. The department had a staff of scribes and calligraphers who were responsible for drafting and copying official documents. The scribes were trained in the art of calligraphy and were skilled in writing in a variety of scripts, including Persian and Arabic.
During the Delhi Sultanate, the Diwan-i-Insha played an important role in the administration of the state. Official documents were used to communicate important decisions and policies to the various regions and officials of the empire. The department was also responsible for maintaining diplomatic correspondence with other states and empires, and for ensuring that all official documents were written in a diplomatic and respectful manner.
The Diwan-i-Insha was an important institution in the cultural life of the Delhi Sultanate. The department played a key role in the development of Persian literature and calligraphy, and many of the scribes and calligraphers associated with the department were respected scholars and artists. The official documents produced by the department were often beautifully decorated with intricate designs and calligraphy.
Overall, the Diwan-i-Insha was an important department in the administration and culture of the Delhi Sultanate, responsible for the drafting and copying of official documents and for maintaining the art of calligraphy and Persian literature.