RSPA 56 (Oriental Manuscripts, British Library)
India Office Library
Jones Collection
Royal Society Arabic and Persian
Contents
1 copy of Asrār-i Maʿnavī va Anvār-i Maghnavī by Muʿīn al-Dīn ʿAbd Allāh Ghulām al-Khwīshagī al-Chishtī
Language(s): Persian
It is presumed this is an autograph copy of the text, of which there are no known other copies.
The author was known for his commentaries, including three on the Dīvān of Ḥāfiẓ.
Jones notes on f1r that he bought this manuscript on 4th November 1783 in the same lot as the Commentary on Ḥāfiẓ, this being (presumably) MS RSPA 57, for 5 rupees.
There is the same seal on the manuscript twice, once on f1r and once on f257r, that of Ghulām Shīv (seal dated 1157AH), with an ownership note that he bought it on the 9th of Muḥarram of the 27th year of Muḥammad Shāh's reign (r.1719-1748), 1158AH, meaning he bought the manuscript on the date of February 11th 1745.
Physical Description
European numerals in pencil.
Condition
Excellent condition.
Layout
Hand(s)
Black ink nastaʿlīq with rubrications.
Decoration
Very occasionally there are some marginal notes in Persian. On some folios (e.g. f51v, f52r, f4r) William Jones has also annotated by means of underlining and highlighting with crosses and curly brackets.
Binding
Standard India Office half-leather binding with wine-coloured marbled endpapers.
Accompanying Material
History
Provenance and Acquisition
RSPA 1-118 were presented to the Royal Society in January 1792 by Sir William and Lady Jones. This manuscript was presented by Lady 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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