Union Catalogue of Manuscripts from the Islamicate World

RAS Persian 92A. (Library, Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland)

Persian Manuscripts

Contents

1 copy of Tārīkh-i tāzah-navāʼī by Shikārpūrī, ʻAṭā Muḥammadu

Written in a florid style. The first event described is the going into exile of the ruler of Afghanistan Shuja' al-Mulk in 1219. The last heading introduces an account of a campaign against the Baluch led by the Governor of Sind and 'Ali Murad Khan. This is evidently Sir Charles Napier's campaign of 1844-5. The work ends with a diatribe against the corruption of Hindu officials in the service of the English. The First Afghan War and the conquest of Sind are covered briefly. Some corrections and marginal additions, presumably by the author. Third flyleaf, recto: two verses. Verso, poems of Bidil. Fourth flyleaf, recto: verses, some at least by Yusufi. Fifth flyleaf, recto: one line historical note, struck through. Verso: List of rulers of Afghanistan and table of the governors of Shikarpur in each reign. Folio one, recto: title, in Persian. Entered as 92A in handwritten note on the Library's bound copy of Codrington's list. The first part of the name is there written rather defectively, but Ata is probably intended and he is described as 'Munshi'. In the Codrington/Reade list this is corrupted to 'Minister' and the name has become 'Ali. The author does not appear to name himself in the text, but two notes by Goldsmid identify him and confirm that this is the author's own MS. third flyleaf from end, recto: a) MS of the Author (deceased) / History of late Events om Sind and Afghaunistaun / Ali Mahomed Moonshee of Shikarpoor / This book is perhaps not procurable elsewhere. I have heard of no other copy; except, it is presumed, with the Author's son. Ata Mohamed sold me this MS for Rupees 50. FJG b) Made over to the Royal Asiatic Society. It was purchased by me about 40 years ago at Shikarpur in Sind. F J Goldsmid / Hollingbourne, Kent / 2nd January 1893 History of events in Sind and Afghanistan in the first half of the nineteenth century. According to Rieu, title is Tawarikh-i Tazah-nawa'i . The author is the scribe. Headings and punctuation in red.

Incipit: Sipas-i bi-qiyas ki ikhtitam-i afham-i auham
Language(s): Persian.

References

Not in Storey, i, p. 659.
Rieu, iii, p 1040. (Extracts only).
No other complete MS has been located.

Physical Description

Form: codex
Extent: Folios 86
Dimensions (leaf): 12.5 × 9.5 in.

Layout

19 lines on a page

Binding

Pasted on first flyleaf, recto, evidently from earlier binding: a) note referring briefly to events of 1217 and 1219. b) note referring to military action against the Baluch in Jumada 1, 1260 (1844). Blue cloth binding: Bound from the Carnegie U.K. Trust Grant 1930 (Second flyleaf verso).

History

Origin: 25? Ramadan A.H. 1261.

Provenance and Acquisition

Presented in 1893 by Sir Frederick J. Goldsmid, who bought it from the author at Shikarpur some forty years earlier.

Availability

Visitors are welcome to consult manuscripts in the library by prior appointment. Information on access is available on the library page of the Society's web site at www.royalasiaticsociety.org and appointments can be arranged by e-mailing library@royalasiaticsociety.org


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