Our Seal: A Tapestry of Meaning
Khairabadi Institutes logo is meticulously crafted, with each stroke of the calligrapher's quill imbued with profound meaning.
One of the last calligraphers of Old Delhi specialising in the Nastaliq style of Persian calligraphy, besides the majestic Grand Delhi Mosque, was entrusted with creating the logo. This mosque, built by the Mughals during an era of intellectual brilliance, still resonates with the echoes of Imam Fazl-i-Haq Khairabadi's wise counsel.
Nastaliq, a beautiful and artistic form of Islamic calligraphy with distinct Persian heritage, was chosen for the logo. Nastaliq was Initially developed in Iran, but its use soon transcended its origins. The Timurids introduced it to the Indian subcontinent, where it became a favoured script at the Mughal court.
A circular form, similar to that found on Mughal imperial seals, is used in the logo. During the Mughal period, subcontinental scholars creatively contributed to the intellectual legacy of their forebears. This wasn't solely due to the stability of rule, but also stemmed from the active encouragement of knowledge & and the honour granted to the holders of it. The Great Mughal Sultan Aurangzeb Alamgir is noteworthy in this regard, who gifted the Farangi Mahall to the descendants of Mulla Qutb al-Din al-Shahid, which later flourished as a centre for both knowledge and practice.
Within the circular form, lies the inscription ‘al-Madrasat al-Khairabadiya’, a reference to the Khairabadis and their unique intellectual tradition. This tradition emerged as the main branch of the Farangi Mahall and meticulously continued the intellectual legacy established there. The institute's name serves as a tribute particularly to the scholarly contributions of Imam Fazl-i-Haq Khairabadi.
The logo further bears the date 1278 AH in Arabic script, marking the year of Imam Fazl-i-Haq Khairabadi's martyrdom. He was exiled to the harsh conditions of the Andaman Islands for refusing to accept British colonial rule in India and later passed away there. He was a towering figure in India whom even the emperors sought advice from. Imam Fazl-i-Haq, even as a child, enjoyed the privilege afforded to a prince – riding to class on the back of an elephant. Despite all this, he chose to defy colonial rule and bravely endured the consequences of his courageous decision.
By embodying these historical and intellectual elements, Khairabadi Institute’s logo serves as a powerful symbol of reviving the intellectual legacy of our recent past for the benefit of the present age.
