RAS Persian 291. (Library, Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland)

Dates of completion are given at the end of five of the six books and for collation at the end of four: i) Friday 29 Safar 1094 (27 February 1683) and 6 Sha'ban; iii) 5 Rabi' II and 27 Shawwal; iv) Saturday 2 Jumada II and 5 Dhu 'l-Qa'dah; v) 10 Rajab (4 August) and Friday Eve 12? Dhu 'l-Qa'da. The outer margins, mainly in the earlier part, bear comments on the text. F1a (in current foliation, which starts before the text): a) Note in Persian describing the book as having been acquired from the library of the scholar and teacher of the Mathnawi Muhammad Ibrahim. The possessor's name may be Fadlallah, found in a phrase at the end of the note. F475a: Note in the Hand of David Price translating the date and place (Haidarabad) found in the final colophon and giving the A.D. equivalent as 19 July 1683. Originally in one volume but after repair in two. Repaired in 1964 and rebound in white pigskin in two volumes. The previous brown leather covers, Indian and decorated with silver-stamped decoration, are kept with the manuscript. The central stamp on the covers is inscribed with the rebus 'Amal-i Gul Muhammad. Ruled margins and dividing panels. Headings in red. Illuminated initial opening to each of the six books, the left hand folio of that of the first book missing and the text replaced in different hand.

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