It is well known that Ahmad Ma‘mâr Lâhorî (d. 1649) was the architect of Taj Mahal, the mausoleum of the Queen of Mughal Emperor Shahjahan (reigned 1628-1658). However, he was interested also in the exact science of his times, which is evident from the training of his sons : Atâ’ullâh as a mathematician, and his second son Lutfullâh (d.1681), who was also a mathematician and a poet with nom de plume Muhandis (the architect). Lutfullâh was initiated in astronomy by his father, when he asked him to translate into Persian, "Book on the Constellations of Fixed Stars" by ‘Abd al-Rahmân al-Sûfî (903-998). Lutfullâh has to his credit 9 scientific works and a couple of literary works also. Out of these, 4 writings are concerned with astronomy: on calendar, direction of Mecca, commentary on the "Exposition of Astronomy"by al-‘Âmilî (d. 1692), and which was used extensively in Muslim colleges (madrasas) in India.

Imâmuddîn (d. 1732) , the eldest son of Lutfullâh , was a mathematician,astronomer, a prolific writer , also a poet with nom de plume : Riyâdî (the mathematician). He is known for his Anthology of poets, sûfîs, scholars etc. Out of his 9 scientific writings, 5 concern with astronomical topics. However, he wrote mainly commentaries on astronomical classics in Arabic.

Mirzâ Khayrullâh Khân (d.1748), with the poetic name Muhandis, was the second son of Lutfullâh. He was the director of Raja Sawâ’i Jai Singh's observatory at Delhi, in which capacity he compiled the Zîj-i Muḥammad Shâhî (ZMS). He has to his credit 6 astronomical writings out of 10 scientific works. His major work was ZMS, of which he was the actual author and also of its commentary. Another important work is his Persian translation with commentary of al-Tûsî 's Recension of Ptolemy's Almagest, Taqrîb al-Tahrîr.

Muhammad ‘Alî Riyâdî , son of Khayrullâh, was also a known mathematician and also a calligrapher ( Khushnawîs). He prepared a fair copy of his father's Taqrîb al-Tahrîr. According to my survey, he has to his credits 7 tracts concerning astronomy, namely, on calendar and planetary calculations, and astrolabe.

I wish to present my survey of these astronomical writings of Ahmad Ma‘mâr's descendants , emphasizing their significance for the history of astronomy in Medieval India.