RSPA 31 (Oriental Manuscripts, British Library)

A copy of the Iskandar-nāmah which does not separate the text into two parts. The text of Iskandar-nāmah is also very different from the standard (modern printed) edition; the differences from the Sprenger edition (completed by 1869) are indicated throughout the text of the Iskandar-nāmah in pencil marginal annotations by a modern hand.

Jones notes on f1r, "I bought this fine copy of Niẓāmī for 100 S.R. the seller having at first demanded 200. 11 April, 1788 W Jones" and, in Persian, "مالک این کتاب یر ولیام یونس یکی از حاکمان عدالت عالیه پادشاهی در شهر کلکته قیمتش صد روپیه" Above these notes, there are two large notes which state this book had been the property of Mīr Muḥammad Bāqir.

Jones makes extensive annotations and marginal comments on the Haft Paykar exclusively. This text he annotates for linguistic reasons (in both Persian and English) and he writes notes about the story and the miniatures. As for the other texts, he also writes out their title and the metre of the poem on each of their first pages. On f144r, the second page of Majnūn Laylī, he notes in Persian: "من بیدل وراه بیماکست چون را هبرم توئی چباکست". Jones also makes two important notes outside of the textblock; on fiv verso, he notes the seven parts of the story of Haft Paykar and on f411v, he notes in a circular shape the names (right to left, top to bottom): Firdawsī, Mavlavī, Saʿadī, Anvarī, Ḥāfiẓ and Niẓāmī. His annotations and comments on Haft Paykar are too numerous to list and warrant some extensive study.

18 miniatures in the Shiraz style of about 1575: f4v, f55v, f97r, f120v, f160v, f179r, f205r, f228v, f239v, f248r, f251v, f256r, f261r, f268r, f273v, f334r, f356r and f394v. See B.W. Robinson, Persian paintings in the India Office Library, London, 1976, nos. 324-341

f.4b The ‘Mi‘raj’ or Heavenly Ascent of the Prophet, mounted on Buraq, led by Gabriel, and attended by four other angels. The figures are large, four of the angels' faces and that of Buraq have been deliberately damaged, and the outer edge of the miniature is somewhat blackened. 21 by 17 cm (plus banner in upper margin).

f.55b Khusraw spies Shirin bathing. Smaller figures. Khusraw is accompanied by a young footman. 22 by 15 cm.

f.97a Farhad carrying Shirin and her horse over a rocky ridge, her mounted maids watching in astonishment. 16 by 15.5 cm.

f.120b Entertainment given in a garden pavilion by Khusraw to a number of ladies; Shirin-shares his throne, while two others are seated on separate chairs. A little trimmed and blackened at the outer edge. 22 by 19 cm.

f.160b Majnun at the Ka‘ba with his father and other pilgrims. A trifle blackened at the outer edge. 19 by 16.5 cm.

f.179a Majnun in the wilderness comforted by his father, whose seated camel occupies a prominent position in the composition. 17.5 by 14.5 cm.

f.203a Layla and Majnun fainting. One or two of the faces have been damaged and the miniature is blackened along the upper and outer edges. Large figures. One man defends himself with a sword against an attacking wolf. 19 by 17 cm.

f.228b Bahram Gur killing the lions to win the crown. The miniature is very slightly blackened along the lower part of the outer edge, and one of the lions has been damaged. 19.5 by 15.5 cm.

f.239b The Black Pavilion. The Indian princess is represented as dark-skinned, though all her maids are white. 15 by 16.5 (plus dome in upper margin).

f.248a Illustration to the beginning of the story told by the princess in the Yellow Pavilion. Buying slaves for the King of ‘Iraq. 17.5 by 15 cm.

f.251b Bahram Gur in the Green Pavilion with the princess of the Fourth Climate. Slight patches of blackening. 21 by 15 cm (plus dome in upper margin).

f.256a Bahram Gur and the princess in the Red Pavilion. Some blackening towards the top of the miniature and upper margin (with dome) trimmed. 17.5 by 15 cm.

f.261a Bahram Gur and the princess in the Blue Pavilion. Actually the prevailing colour is apple-green, and the heading calls it ‘gunbad i zard’ ('the yellow dome'). 19.5 by 15 cm (plus dome in upper margin).

f.268a Illustration to the beginning of the story told by the princess in the Sandalwood Pavilion. The two youths Good and Bad, carrying packages, setting out from their city, watched by others from the wall and horizon. 12.5 by 15.5 cm.

f.273b Bahram Gur and the princess in the White Pavilion. The faces of Bahram and two of the attendant maids have been damaged and clumsily redrawn. The outer edge somewhat blackened. 16.5 by 15.5 cm (plus dome in upper margin).

f.334a The marriage of Iskandar and Rushanak: her face and that of one of the attendant maids have been damaged, and the outer edge somewhat blackened. 21.5 by 17 cm.

f.356a Presentation of gifts from King Kaid of Hind to Iskandar. The face of Iskandar is slightly damaged, and the outer edge somewhat blackened. 18.5 by 17 cm.

f.394 Iskandar and the Seven Sages, one of whom, at the foot of the throne, holds an astrolabe. The colours have oxidized in several parts of the miniature. 19.5 by 14.5 cm.