In Search of the Persianate Tradition of Taking Minutes, or How to Transfer Words to Paper

What is it about?

How did they record meetings in Mughal India and in Safavid Iran? Various types of minutes were taken as the part of the legal process, diplomatic discussions, the administration of the realm and leisurely discussions. This is investigated through the analysis of government manuals, textbooks for secretaries, narrative sources and documents. It also shows a link between the official writings and the Sufi literature._x000D_ Even before the influx of European practices the tradition of recording meetings had been well established in Persian language. It shows how some of the passages found in the chronicles are probably embellishment of official notes. The practices discussed show the commitment to keeping the account of meetings and oral exchanges in the Persianate world._x000D_ _x000D_

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