🪶 Understanding Khojki Script: An Early Sindhi Script

Definition§

Khojki Script, also known as Khwaja Sindhi, is one of the earliest forms of written Sindhi. The term “Khojki” is derived from “khoja,” a variant of the Persian “khwaja,” meaning lord or master. This script was created specifically for the Ismaili community in the Indian subcontinent, intended to facilitate the learning of Islamic principles in the Sindhi language.

Etymology§

The term “Khojki” originates from the Persian word “khwaja” (خواجه), which translates to lord or master. Over time, this term has been phonetically adapted into “khoja.”

Background and Historical Facts§

• Origins: The Khojki script was specifically devised to enable converts of the Ismaili faith to learn Islamic principles in their native language.
• Speculated Era: The script likely emerged during the early medieval period when the Ismaili community in Sindh began to use written texts for religious education.
• Manuscripts: Texts written in Khojki include religious books, scrolls, and doctrinal writings distributed among the Ismaili community.

Cultural Differences and Similarities§

The Khojki script exhibits structural similarities with the Landa scripts used in the Indian subcontinent, such as Gurmukhi and Khudawadi. However, its primary use for religious and doctrinal purposes sets it apart in terms of cultural application.

Synonyms and Related Terms§

• Synonyms: Khwaja Sindhi
• Related Terms:
  • Ismailism: A branch of Shia Islam that uses the Khojki script for religious texts.
  • Sindhi Language: The native tongue for which Khojki was created.
  • Landa Script: General term for script systems in the Indian subcontinent that include Khojki.

Exciting Facts§

• Secret Codes: Some manuscripts in Khojki were written in coded language to protect religious ideas from non-Ismailis during times of persecution.
• Script Evolution: Over centuries, Khojki has evolved and influenced modern Sindhi script systems.

Quotations from Notable Writers§

“Language is the armory of the human mind; and at once contains the trophies of its past, and the weapons of its future conquests.” – Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Further Studies and Inspiration§

• Literature:
  • “Scripts of the Indian Subcontinent” by Richard Salomon
  • “Islam and Empire” by Jamal J. Elias
• Academic Articles:
  • “The Linguistic Heritage of the Sindhi Language” in Journal of South Asian Studies
  • “Ismaili Texts and Khojki Script” in Islamic Historical Quarterly

Language Translations§

• Arabic: خط خوجكي (khat khojki)
• Turkish: Khojki yazısı
• Urdu: خوجکی اسکرپٹ (Khojki Script)
• Bengali: খোজকি লিপি (Khojki Lipi)
• Indonesian: Aksara Khojki
• Persian: خط خوجکی (khat khojgi)

Thank you for exploring the fascinating world of Khojki Script with me today. May your journey through languages and cultures always be enlightening.

Published by Zahra Qureshi on October 03, 2023. 🌟