The paper seeks to study and to throw light on the achievements in the domain of Mathematics, Science, Architecture and Astronomy of the illustrious family of Ahmad Mimar, the versatile royal architect of the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan (1628-58). His name is also associated with the planning and supervision of the construction of the Taj Mahal in Agra and the Red Fort in Delhi. He was also honoured with the title of Nadir al-Asr (The Wonder of the Age) by the Emperor Shahjahan himself.

His sons Lutfullah (who was honoured with the title of “Muhandis”) and Ataullah have made great contributions in the fields of mathematics and astronomy. Their works also consist of translations of ancient and medieval classics such as Khulasat al-Hisab of Bahauddin Amili and mathematical treatises of Bhaskar. They also contributed to literature in the form of beautiful Persian verses and compiled anthology of poets. Belonging to a family of strong moral and ethical values they had their say on the subject of ethics. Nurullah, the youngest of the three sons of Ahmad was a practised calligrapher. The scientific and architectural achievements of the distinguished family have also been set down by Luftullah in the form of Persian verses called Diwan-i-Muhandis.

Ahmad Mimar’s grandsons Imamuddin Reyazi and Abul Khayr Khayrullah Khan (d. 1747) also distinguished themselves in their respective fields. Imamuddin Reyazi dealt with mathematics and astronomy while his brother Abul Khayr Khayrullah Khan collaborated in the compilation of the astronomical tables of emperor Muhammad Shah which are known by the name of Zij-i-Muhammad Shahi. Khayrullah’s son Muhammad Ali Reyazi contributed to the subject of mathematics too. The factors which played an important role in the emergence of the family as well known medieval Indian scientists are a high level of literacy and royal patronage. Although their writings in the form of poetry, scientific treatises, translations, commentaries and glosses are scattered throughout the libraries of South Asia as well as in the Oriental Collections of Europe, they have not been studied much.