āhak-shuda kagaz

Ingredients

flax, hemp, mulberry fibers, starch, alum

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

Sheets were produced from flax, hemp, or mulberry fibers, and prepared through sizing (āhak-shuda) using starch and alum, followed by burnishing (āhamlī) with stone or shell to create a smooth, lustrous surface. High-quality Mughal manuscripts often reveal layered polishing that imparted a reflective sheen, giving the written word a jewel-like finish (p. 24).

Evidence

"Paper technology was central: sheets were produced from flax, hemp, or mulberry fibers, and prepared through sizing (āhak-shuda) using starch and alum, followed by burnishing (āhamlī) with stone or shell to create a smooth, lustrous surface."

Remarks

The sizing and burnishing process enhanced ink absorption while preventing bleeding, ensuring durability for both Qur'anic manuscripts and imperial albums. Paper sizes were standardized under the Mughals to maintain imperial codicological standards (p. 23, 24).