IO Islamic 3953 (Oriental Manuscripts, British Library)

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Irvine Collection

Two collections of letters relating to the Nizam of Hydrabad and Maratha leaders

Summary of Contents: Two collections of letters relating to the Nizam of Hydrabad, Āṣafjāh Niẓām ʿAlī Khān Bahādur, and Maratha leaders. Formerly belonged to J. O'Kinealy. Covers delaminating revealing inner matter containing names and dates (ʿAbd al-Razzāq ʿAlī 1243, Kanada or Telugu text). IOL stamp not dated.

Language(s): Persian

Physical Description

Form: codex

Hand(s)

History

Origin: 19th century CE ; India

a

1. ff. 1v-60v

Collection of letters written by the munshi or secretary Muhammad Faza'il Khan Bahadur for his masters Muhammad Ranmast Khan Bahadur and Asafjah Nizam 'Ali Khan Bahadur

Letters collected poshumously by the munshi's student (shāgird), Muhammad Ma'mur Khan, who organised them into 3 themed faṣl, with an initial preface and introduction

Introduction contains a useful discussion on iṣṭilāḥ or the usage of terminology

Dated colophon (f. 60v): ʿaṣr (mid afternoon), Wednesday, 11 Jum. II 1234/7 April 1819, at Arkāt (Arcot)

Pinkish tinted paper on folios 33-48

Old nīm leaves preserved between folios to repel insects

Language(s): Persian

Title: Inshā-'i Faz̤āʾil Khānī

Title: انشاء فضائل خانى

Author: Muḥammad Maʿmūr Khān محمّد معمور خان

Physical Description

Form: codex

Extent: 60 ff.

Dimensions (leaf): 290 × 180 mm.

History

Origin: Wednesday, 11 Jum. II 1234 AH; 7 April 1819 CE Arcot, Tamil Nadu ; India

b

2. ff. 65v-105v

Untitled fragment of an important collection of letters and patitions (raqīmah, ruqʿah, and ʿarz̤ī) written on behalf of the Nizam of Hyrdabad, Asafjah Nizam 'Ali Khan Bahadur, as well as addressed to him by Maratha leaders and administrators (Lala Kubairi or Kabiri Singh, Rao Pandit Pradhan, Uttamchand, 'Abd al-Nabi Khan, Rao Nabaji, Mahdaji, Maharao Janoji)

Text written at different angles after f. 88

Not dated and lacking colophon

Several leaves left blank at end

Language(s): Persian

Physical Description

Form: codex

Extent: 40 ff.

Dimensions (leaf): 290 × 180 mm.

History

Origin: 1819 - 1820 CE ; India

Additional Information

Availability

Entry to read in the Library is permitted only on presentation of a valid reader's card for admissions procedures contact British Library, Registering for a Reader Pass. Contact apac-enquiries@bl.uk for further information on the availability of this manuscript. For information on catalogues and ordering manuscripts see Finding and ordering Persian manuscripts in the British Library.

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