The lotus: a curious case of Bengali Insignia
Abstract
This article is submitted as a preprint research note identifying a previously unrecognised royal emblem of the Bengal Sultanate, through an analysis of a crest found on royal loggia inside of the Adina Mosque. The crest's placement at the apex of the mihrab, its use of the lotus symbolism and alignment with numismatic symbolism and Islamicate seals demonstrate that it functioned as a formal institutional emblem of sovereignty of the Bengal Sultanate.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Architecture and Cultural Influences
Islamic Studies and History
Indian and Buddhist Studies
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
- Publication date
- 1 January 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Preprint