Arrange the steps in manuscript making during the Mughal period in the correct order.

(A) Scribes or calligraphers to copy the text.
(B) Gilders to illuminate the pages.
(C) Paper makers to prepare the folios.
(D) Bookbinders to gather the individual folios.
(E) Painters to illustrate scenes from the text.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

(C), (A), (B), (E), (D)

The correct answer is Option (2) → (C), (A), (B), (E), (D)

(C) Paper makers to prepare the folios.
(A) Scribes or calligraphers to copy the text.
(B) Gilders to illuminate the pages.
(E) Painters to illustrate scenes from the text.
(D) Bookbinders to gather the individual folios.

How the manuscripts were made:

All books in Mughal India were manuscripts, that is, they were handwritten. The centre of manuscript production was the imperial kitabkhana. Although kitabkhana can be translated as library, it was a scriptorium, that is, a place where the emperor’s collection of manuscripts was kept and new manuscripts were produced. The creation of a manuscript involved a number of people performing a variety of tasks. Paper makers were needed to prepare the folios of the manuscript, scribes or calligraphers to copy the text, gilders to illuminate the pages, painters to illustrate scenes from the text, bookbinders to gather the individual folios and set them within ornamental covers. The finished manuscript was seen as a precious object, a work of intellectual wealth and beauty. It exemplified the power of its patron, the Mughal emperor, to bring such beauty into being. At the same time some of the people involved in the actual production of the manuscript also got recognition in the form of titles and awards. Of these, calligraphers and painters held a high social standing while others, such as paper makers or bookbinders, have remained anonymous artisans. Calligraphy, the art of handwriting, was considered a skill of great importance. It was practised using different styles. Akbar’s favourite was the nastaliq, a fluid style with long horizontal strokes. It is written using a piece of trimmed reed with a tip of five to 10 mm called qalam, dipped in carbon ink (siyahi). The nib of the qalam is usually split in the middle to facilitate the absorption of ink.