Origin <strong>of</strong> the Arabic Script It was yd and 4th Century A.D. when the Arabic script started taking a definite shape. Its basic letters <strong>of</strong> alphabet were like some <strong>of</strong> their other Semitic counterparts, consist <strong>of</strong> consonants. Its script was derived from the Nabataean script which itself had been derived from Aramaic script. It is written from right to left quite different from other scripts. Foliated Kufi and bold Naskh.from Adhai-din-ka-Jhonpda, Ajmer. Arabic, Persian and Urdu languages are written in Arabic script.The people <strong>of</strong> Persia, when embraced Islam, adopted the Arabic script for writing Persian language which was earlier being written in Pahlavi script. The most important factor in the evolution <strong>of</strong> the art <strong>of</strong> Islamic calligraphy is the prohibition on depiction <strong>of</strong> human or living beings in the tenets <strong>of</strong> Islam. So as a result all the efforts <strong>of</strong> graphic artists and calligraphers were diverted to make written words so beautiful that they become capable to adorn their facades and interiors <strong>of</strong> buildings, mihrabs, portals, cover and pages <strong>of</strong> books, epitaphs, wall-hangings etc. in this way the Arabic script started developing its own art <strong>of</strong> calligraphy. Earliest Arabic epitaph in Kufi dated age 471 (1078A.D.) from Baliapatam, Kerala. There are seven major styles <strong>of</strong> Islamic calligraphy, among many other varieties and regional innovations made in it over the centuries, namely Specimen <strong>of</strong> bold Naskh <strong>of</strong> Klwlji period from Mehrauii, New Delhi. Kufi,Naskh, Thulth, Muhahhaq, Riqa, Diwani and Nastaliq. Epigraphs are the most authentic and imperishable source <strong>of</strong> history. Epigraphs also record the evolution <strong>of</strong> history <strong>of</strong> development <strong>of</strong> the art <strong>of</strong> calligraphy. The calligraphy has been done on paper, coins, seals, metal objects, copper plates, arm and armours etc. Islamic Calligraphy in India After the advent <strong>of</strong> Islam this art <strong>of</strong> calligraphy has gone a long way from west Asian & Central Asian countries to Indian sub-continent, to achieve the status <strong>of</strong> such an art that without its mention the cultural history <strong>of</strong> medieval India will be considered as incomplete. Indo- Islamic architecture, royal stationary, royal orders Varmdns), coins, seals, wall hangings (was/is), fabrics, books (in manuscript form) etc. were evidently influenced by this art. When Muslim rule was established in India in 12th century A.D., the building activities, along with socio-cultural institutions started taking shape on this soil and thus started a process <strong>of</strong> innovation and blending experiments in respect <strong>of</strong> art <strong>of</strong> calligraphy.And thus India <strong>of</strong> the period <strong>of</strong> Muslim rule could claim possession <strong>of</strong> some <strong>of</strong> the marvels <strong>of</strong> calligraphy in the world. Another specimen <strong>of</strong> calligmphy <strong>of</strong> Bengal Sultans' time in 'Bow and Arrow',