lithographic ink

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

The author notes that Aḥīduddīn’s manual, 'Līthūgrāfī' (1924), contains 'rules and recipes for lithography' (p. 87). Additionally, the 'Arzhang-i Cīn' (1867), another manual from the same region, is described as 'sketching recipes for making ink' on its final three pages (p. 91). These recipes were historically part of the secret or oral transmission (sīnah-bah-sīnah) of knowledge among Hindustani workers (p. 85-86).

Evidence

"The book not only contains rules and recipes for lithography, but it also mentions the recently invented devices and novel processes of operation, which ordinary workers (kārīgaroṉ) were completely unaware of. [...] I hope that this book will prove very useful for press men (press menoṉ), scribes (kātiboṉ), artisan laborers (dastkāroṉ) as well as printing press owners (mālikān-i mut̤ābiʿa)"

Remarks

The Nizami Press was noted for the 'superior intellectual and technical quality of its publications, including a clearer script and better layout' (p. 80). The press produced 'beautiful print' at a time when most Urdu publishers used 'ordinary print' (p. 80, footnote 23). The ink was specifically applied to reproduce the Perso-Arabic and nastaʿlīq scripts (p. 74, 79).