IO Islamic 4625 (Oriental Manuscripts, British Library)

India Office Library

A volume containing two separate works

Summary of Contents: 2 works by Unknown on the subjects of Islamic ethics Early works to 1800 and Kings and rulers Duties Early works to 1800

1. ff. 1-195

Author: Unknown

Title: Majmūʻah-ʼi Quṭshāhī

Title: مجموغۀ قطبشاهی

An ethical miscellany

Some folios are lost at the beginning, so that the name of the author is not preserved, but the title given above is as stated in the colophon, and presumably refers to the Quṭbshāh dynasty of the Deccan founded by ʻAbd Allāh Quṭbshāh, 1035/1626-1083/1672, عبدالله قطب شاه , during whose reign the book was evidently written

Language(s): Persian

References

For a more detailed description see Arberry 1939, page 389.

2. ff. 196-318

Author: Unknown

Title: Akhlāq-i siyar-i pādshāhān

Title: اخلاق سیر پادشاهان

Treatise on the art of kingship, illustrated with anecdotes and poetical extracts, by an anonymous author

The title given above is that which occurs inIvASB., 1391: the present copy has none. According to Ivanow, chronograms prove that the book was commenced in 1054 and finished in 1055, but it is difficult to reconcile these conclusions with the date (1054) of the present manuscript. In the preface, the author refers to a previous work on a similar theme by himself, and perhaps the Majmūʻah-ʼi Quṭshāhī ( مجموغۀ قطبشاهی ) is intended

Language(s): Persian

References

For a more detailed description see Arberry 1939, pages 389-90.

Physical Description

Form: codex

Extent: 318 ff

Dimensions (leaf): 8.5 × 4.6 in.

Dimensions (written): 5.8 × 2.7 in.

Layout

Hand(s)

Indian shikastah

Copyist: Muḥammad ʻAlī محمد علی

Decoration

Rubrications

Gilt margins

Blue oriental paper; water-stained

Work 2 is illustrated

Additions:

Some folios damaged and torn

Binding

Green leather painted covers with decorative medallions

History

Origin: Hyderabad; 1054 AH

Record Sources

Manuscript description based on A. J. Arberry: Hand-List of Islamic Manuscripts acquired by the India Office Library, 1936–8. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society (New Series) (1939), 71: pp 353-396

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.

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