Delhi Persian 607 (Oriental Manuscripts, British Library)

Private historical account by Khvājah ʿAbd al-Karīm ibn ʿĀqibat Maḥmūd ibn Muḥammad Būlāqī ibn Muḥammad Riz̤āʾ Kashmīrī, covering the invasion of Timurid (Mughal) India by Nādir Shāh Afshār, as well as the author’s later travels in the wider Middle East en route home from the ḥajj pilgrimage to Makkah.

The author joined the service of Nādir Shāh’s chief physician or ḥakīm bāshī, Sayyid ʿAlavī Khān (d. 1162/1749), in 1151/1738, with whom he initially left Delhi, travelling to Qazvīn, where he arrived in 1154/1741, before embarking on his extended travels.

The author deliberately wrote his account in simple prose for the ease of readers.

The work comprises an introduction, five chapters termed bāb with further subdivisions termed faṣl, a conclusion, followed by two epilogues according to description (not included here).

Defective and injured at beginning.

Not date at end; datable to the late eighteenth century.

Large nastaʿlīq.

Lacking original binding.

Condition fragile.