Delhi Persian 243* (Oriental Manuscripts, British Library)

Delhi Persian 243* a.

Treatise on early Islamic history by an unnamed author.

The work comprises twelve questions followed by answers at length, based on the authority of relatively modern named sources.

Colophon not dated (f. 110v): completed at the request of Ḥaz̤rat-i Ṣāḥib-i ʿĀlam (added supra) Mīrzā Ḥājī Ṣāḥib.

Delhi Persian 243* b.

Untitled treatise on the Abrahamic tradition of creating āsh or soup from the slaughtered animal sent in place of the child-prophet Isḥāq, written by an unnamed author.

The work goes on to list varieties of soups, stews and stock-based dishes, including those incorporating rice, stuffed pastries, kebabs, lentils, yoghurts, sweet confections, ending with the methods for two rice dishes.

Not dated at end.

Delhi Persian 243* c.

Fragment from an untitled treatise collecting a small number of recipes for food, by an unnamed writer.

Some weights and measures given in raqm annotation.

Not dated at end.

Delhi Persian 243* d.

Untitled hagiography of the Muʿīn al-Dīn Chishtī, leader of the Chishtīyah Sufi Order, written by an unnamed author out of personal devotion to the saint.

Not dated at end.

Dense annotations in margins, some cropped, others folded in.

Delhi Persian 243* e.

Untitled treatise collecting some of the aphorisms of the Pīr-i Dastgīr, that is, Muʿīn al-Dīn Chishtī, leader of the Chishtīyah Sufi Order, written by an unnamed author.

Colophon not dated (f. 163v): completed at the request of Ḥaz̤rat-i Ṣāḥib-i ʿĀlam Mīrzā Ḥājī Ṣāḥib.

The treatise is followed by a naskh calligraphic composition by the scribe.

Delhi Persian 243* f.

Untitled treatise on relationships forbidden under the conditions of nikāḥ or marriage.

Not dated at end.

Distinct nastaʿlīq, with ornamental naskh for Arabic passages.

Delhi Persian 243* g.

Untitled metaphysical treatise on physiological exercises treating the body as a microcosm of macrocosmic and astrological significance, ascribed to Muʿīn al-Dīn Chishtī, leader of the Chishtīyah Sufi Order, in the opening statement.

Not dated at end.

Distinct nastaʿlīq, with ornamental naskh for Arabic passages.

Delhi Persian 243* h.

Untitled metaphysical treatise on the macrocosmic significance of the senses, by an unnamed author.

Not dated at end.

Distinct nastaʿlīq, with ornamental naskh for Arabic passages.

Delhi Persian 243* i.

Untitled treatise on the feast days or dates of death and martyrdom termed ʿurs or marriage for major and minor Sufi saints, caliphs, and scholarly divines, compiled by an unnamed author.

Not dated at end.

Delhi Persian 243* j.  

Treatise of the historical and diplomatic letters of the early caliphs and imams, composed by an unnamed author, who incorporates several mas̲navīs in its account.

The treatise was copied from an original manuscript in the possession of Mawlānā Ḥaydar ʿAlī, resident of Sandīlah (Avadh).

Dated colophon (f. 232v): completed 1239/1823.

Scribal nastaʿlīq, with ornamental naskh in red ink for Arabic passages.