Insha: History and Key Facts

The Arabic word insha (Arabic: إنشاء, romanized: inshā’) means "construction", or "creation". It has been used in this sense in classical Arabic literature such as the Quran. Over time it acquired the meaning of composition, especially denoting the prose composition of letters, documents, and state papers. Subsequently, it was used as a synonym of 'Munshaat', which are documents composed in accordance with specific norms of diction and style that distinguish these prose compositions from ordinary prose. Gradually the term "Insha " came to represent a distinct branch of learning that enabled one to discern the merits and defects of the prose composition of letters and documents as a distinct type of writing from regular treatises and books.

"Insha" writing is mainly concerned with the expression of one's innermost feelings, rather than the use of prose in scientific treatises. Insha writing developed into an art form and involved detailed rules and regulations that a well lettered person was supposed to learn, and artful and well written epistolography, was considered a form of Adab. The devices employed in Insha include verbal puns, and tricks, riddles, and a mannered, elegant style of writing. A model of stately Insha prose in Arabic was provided by al-Qadi al-Fadil, (d.1199), and later by al-Qalqashandi (d.1418). In the classical Persian literature, the most representative type of "Insha is identified as "Rasail", meaning "letters".

Generally "Rasail" literature can be categorized into two types of literature- a.) Tauqi'at and b.) muhawarat. Tauqi'at consists of the orders and directives of rulers and officials, and Muhawarat consists of letters and correspondence. If the addressee is superior in status then the form of letters are called Murafa'a, and in case the addressee is inferior in status, then the type of letters are called ruq'a. If both the addressee and the writer are of equal status, then the type of letters are called murasala.

The Insha is a broad category of formal epistolary writing, with includes many subcategories with their own stylistic norms depending on the letter's contents, audience, and intent. Among the many genres of formal letter-writing, some of the most well-known include official proclamations, which take the literary form of a letter from a ruler addressed to his subjects -- for example, firman (decree), ahidnâme (charter), fathnama ("proclamation of victory" - a public announcement of victory in war), depending on the nature of its contents.

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