RSPA 99 (Oriental Manuscripts, British Library)
India Office Library
Jones Collection
Royal Society Arabic and Persian
Contents
1 copy of al-Qāmūs al-Muḥīṭ by al-Fīrūzābādī, Majd al-Dīn Abū 'l-Ṭāhir Muḥammad ibn Yaʿqūb ibn Muḥammad ibn Ibrāhīm
Language(s): Arabic & Persian
Arabic-Arabic Dictionary.
William Jones has noted on f1v: "W. Jones: the gift of John Shore, Esq. 1787". John Shore became the first Baron Teignmouth in 1798. He served as the Governer-General of Bengal between 1793 and 1798 and was a close friend of Jones, who edited a memoir of Jones' life in 1802. He died in 1834.
The colophon is partially written in Persian (the final few words).
There are several seals, mostly effaced, on f1r. In the top left-hand corner, the seal carries the legend Khvājah Abū Saʿd Khān 1165 (CE 1752). In the centre of the page, the seal appears to say Muʿaẓẓam Mukarram 1113 (1701) with the legend "Allāh yafʿal mā yashāʾ" around the edge, the rest being illegible.
Physical Description
European numerals in pencil.
Condition
Manuscript is in relatively good condition. The endpapers are quite fragile and poorly bound into the MS. The first folio (f1) is in an even weaker state, only bearly attached to the binding of the MS in one place.
There is discoloration of the bottom half of the MS on every folio, possibly from water damage.
Certain folios (e.g. f2) have undergone repair work.
Some minor worm damage.
Layout
Uniform layout across the MS. Justification achieved through taʿlīq (superscription).
Hand(s)
Very neat naskh.
Decoration
Text in opening (f1v-2r) in cloudbands with gold infill; ruled margins.
William Jones has annotated f1v and f2r, noting the receipt of the MS from John Shore, Esq. and noting the structure of the dictionary.
There are occasional marginal notes throughout the MS in various hands, adding words (e.g. synonyms) or long explanatory paragraphs about the definitions.
Binding
Oriental red leather binding with gilt borders, central medallion, corners and flap
Accompanying Material
History
Provenance and Acquisition
RSPA 1-118 were presented to the Royal Society in January 1792 by Sir William and Lady Jones. According to Wilkins' Catalogue, this manuscript was presented by Sir William Jones.
The Royal Society's collection of 280 Persian and Arabic, and 86 Sanskrit manuscripts were transferred to the India Office Library in 1876.
1876
India Office Library
Record Sources
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.
Funding of Cataloguing
BL
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