Persian MS 979 (The John Rylands Research Institute and Library, The University of Manchester)

Summary of Contents: A complete, illustrated copy of the Būstān (Fragrant Orchard) by Saʻdī Shīrazī (ca. 1213–1292), one of the most revered works by this preeminent Persian Ṣūfī poet, which he composed in 655 AH (1257 CE). Together with his Gulistān (Rose Garden), both the literary style and structure of the work profoundly influenced subsequent writers. The work opens with an introduction in which the author praises God and his patrons, the Salghurd-era rulers of Fars province from their capital at Shiraz, Saʿd I (Saʿd ibn Zangī, r. 1198–1226), his son Abū Bakr ibn Saʿd ibn Zangī (r. 1226–1260), and grandson Muḥammad bin Abū Bakr ibn Saʿd ibn Zangī (fl 13th c.). The text comprises ten chapters on topics such as ethics, government, love, contentment, humility, repentance, and other subjects, embellished throughout with anecdotes and tales from the author's life and travels. The volume features four vivid four of which feature vivid illustrations, but regrettably, the scribe neither signed nor dated this manuscript. However, the script style, layout, and decoration suggests that artists in Greater Iran completed this manuscript in the 15th century.