RSPA 7 (Oriental Manuscripts, British Library)
India Office Library
Jones Collection
Royal Society Arabic and Persian
Contents
Ẓafarnāmah with an Introduction and excerpts from the Tuzūkāt-i Tīmūrī
Language(s): Persian
On f1v, Jones has noted that this book was "the gift of the Hon. Justice Hyde 25th June 1792".
There is a blue and gold headpiece on f1v inside of which Jones has written his name.
Like on f1v, f106v has an illuminated blue and gold headpiece with a floral pattern. The opening folio (f106v-f107r) is also illuminated with a gilded floral pattern and the text is surrounded by gilded illumination.
On f106r, there is a sales note specifying an owner as ʿInāyat Allāh ibn Muḥibb ʿAlī in the year 1077AH (1666-1667AD) in the town of Tateh (Thatta) in Sindh. On f671v, Jones has written "W. Jones. The gift of Mr. Justice Hyde 1792 Calcutta".
This section is only an excerpt from the longer text of the Tuzūkāt-i Tīmūrī, which itself builds off of the Ẓafarnāmah. These folios are a different paper and style from the rest of the manuscript.
Physical Description
European numerals in pencil.
Condition
Good condition. Worm damage has been repaired. Supports and guards. The folios on which the Tuzūkāt-i Tīmūrī are written have suffered some discolouration and have curled up and around each other on the edge.
Layout
The Muqadimmah and the Ẓafarnāmah are written in a layout of 19 lines in one column on each side. The Tuzūkāt-i Tīmūrī is written transversely across the page (from the top right hand corner to the bottom left hand corner).
Hand(s)
The Muqadimmah and the Ẓafarnāmah are written in a very fine naskh. The Tuzūkāt-i Tīmūrī is written in shikastah.
Decoration
On f0v, Jones has written "The Ẓafar Nāma: a most elegant history of Taimur" referring to Tīmūr (d.1405AD) who is the subject of the work.
Binding
Standard India Office half leather binding with 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. According to Wilkins, 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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