Tawqi‘

Meaning

• “Tawqi‘ ” is derived from the Arabic verb, waqa’a, meaning “to sign,” because it was regularly used to write the signature on a ruler’s decrees

Uses

• Most often used for scrolls, diplomas, royal documents and calligraphic tours de force
• Used in ancient Persia for writing the final colophon of a book, showing the date and place of writing

Companion script

• Tawqi‘ is most often written in conjunction with riqa‘, which is a smaller version of the same script

Timeline

• Developed in the 10th century
• Refined by Şeyh Hamdullah in the 15th century
• Gradually replaced by divani in the 19th century
• Mostly obsolete today

Distinctive characteristics

• A smaller variant of thuluth, its letters are somewhat more compressed and rounded
• Letters that don’t connect on the left are often connected in this script (unauthorized ligatures), allowing it to be written with speed
• Features proportionally shorter ascending strokes and shorter, more deeply curved horizontal strokes