... It’s no secret that in the medieval world, a manuscript was reserved for the elite. As an elite product of long piece production, it was perceived as a jewel in the literal and figurative sense of the
word.
These masterpieces were created slowly, in the quiet of the court workshops-kitabkhana (lit. book room). Today, this word means an ordinary library, but in the past, kitabkhanas were not just repositories; they were real creative laboratories where artistic experience, as well as new book design techniques were developed.
Each enlightened ruler considered it his duty to have a kitabkhana at court, as well as personally spend a lot of time in it, mastering the art of calligraphy.
The perfect possession of the pen in the system of education of the future heir to the throne was as necessary as the possession of a sword; in both cases, the accuracy of hand movements and, accordingly, thought was developed.
Saif and kalam - a sword and a pen - were the attributes of Prophet Muhammad.
Taking care of the status of their kitabkhana, the rulers from everywhere invited the best calligraphers and artists of their time to work. Even going on military campaigns, they did not forget about the libraries, replenishing them with trophy books, as well as famous craftsmen and artists who worked for their defeated enemies.
Let us recall the semi-legendary story that happened to the famous miniaturist Kamal ud-Din Behzad during the period of his work at the court of Shah Ismail Safavi. In 1514, the shah who was at war with the Ottoman Sultan Selim hid the most valuable stars of his kitabhana - the calligrapher Shah Mahmud and Behzad in some cave. As soon as he being defeated returned back, he immediately went to a place known to him to find them. Finding them unharmed, he wholeheartedly thanked the almighty God.