Nastaliq was:

Answer: (a) A Persian script used in medieval India

Nastaliq is a flowing, cursive style of Persian and Arabic handwriting used for writing Persian in medieval India. It has nothing to do with music, taxes or religious manuals.

• ✓ (a) Nastaliq is a cursive calligraphic script, easy to read, used for Persian.
• ✗ (b) Ragas by Tansen include Miyan ki Malhar; Nastaliq is not one.
• ✗ (c) It is not a tax.
• ✗ (d) It is not a code of conduct.

Remember · Nastaliq = cursive Persian calligraphic style; Shikaste is its denser cousin.

Question: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 1996, General Studies paper. UPSC did not publish an answer key for 1996: the answer shown is the one the sources above support. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 24 Oct 2026 (how we verify). · Report an error