IO Islamic 3540 (St. Pancras, British Library)
Asian and African Studies
Contents
1 copy of Shāhnāmah by 2 authors
An exquisite and gorgeously illuminated copy of Firdawsī's Shāhnāmah, which belonged formerly to Warren Hastings (1732-1818)
References
Physical Description
Layout
Each column besides surrounded by stripes in gold and various colours
Hand(s)
Exquisite nastaʿlīq
Decoration
4 illuminations
57 miniatures
Every chapter-heading very neatly adorned
Double-page miniature within a gorgeous illuminated border, of Salomon and the Queen of Sheba, a large and crowded composition; the execution is meticulous, but the drawing of the faces a trifle weak. Each half (miniature only) 29.5 × 17.5 cm. .
Bath scene, illustrating the story in the preface of how Firdawsi scornfully gave away to a bath house attendant half the paltry reward Sultan Mahmud gave him for writing the Shahnama. 32.5 × 21.5 cm. .
Gayumarth and his court. 27 × 21.5 cm. .
Faridun strikes down Zahhak in the palace in the presence of Jamshid's sisters. 32 × 21.5 cm. .
Tur defeated and killed by Minuchihr. 30 × 21.5 cm. .
Zal embracing Rudaba. 29.5 × 23 cm. .
The birth of Rustam. 29.5 × 21.5 cm. .
Rustam and the White Demon. 30.5 × 21.5 cm. .
The death of Suhrab. 30.5 × 21.5 cm. .
The fire-ordeal of Siyawush. 29.5 × 20.5 cm. .
Siyawush playing polo with Afrasiyab. 27 × 22.5 .
The murder of Siyawush. 29.5 × 25.5 cm. .
Rustam in battle against Afrasiyab. 33.5 × 27 cm. .
The enthronement of Kay Khusraw. 28 × 20.5 cm. .
Persian troops sacking Farud's castle. 35 × 25.5 cm. .
The battle of Mount Hamawan between the armies of Gudarz and Piran. 36 × 27 cm. .
Ruhham and the Sorcerer. 36 × 27 cm. .
Combat of Rustam and Ashkabus. 34.5 × 28 cm. .
Rustam in battle, after being visited by Piran. 33.5 × 25.5 cm. .
Rustam attacking the fortress of Kafur the man-eater. 36 × 25.5 cm. .
Piran saves Bizhan from the gallows. 30 × 20.5 cm. .
Rustam's raid on Afrasiyab's palace after rescuing Bizhan. 29.5 × 21 cm. .
Barzu lassoing Faramurz. 33.5 × 22.5 cm. .
Combat of Rustam and Barzu. 33.5 × 28 cm. .
Encounter of Afrasiyab and Pilsam. 33.5 × 25.5 cm. .
Rustam falls in combat with Pilsam. The latter being kicked by Rakhsh. 36 × 29.5 cm. .
Human slain by Bizhan. 36 × 25.5 cm. .
Combat of Giw and Piran. 32.5 × 27 cm. .
Rustam leading the Persian army to war with Afrasiyab. 34.5 × 25.5 cm. .
Kay Khusraw slays Ustuqila the Kurd. 36 × 28 cm. .
The women of Afrasiyab before Kay Khusraw. 30.5 × 23 cm. .
Execution of Afrasiyab by Kay Khusraw. 30.5 × 22.5 cm. .
Double-page miniature within a sumptuous illuminated border. The enthronement of Luhrasp. Each half 27 × 16 cm. .
Gushtasp killing the dragon. 30.5 × 21 cm. .
Death of Zarir in battle between Iran and Turan. 34.5 × 28 cm. .
Isfandiyar's attack on Arjasp in the Brazen Fortress. 34.5 × 27 cm. .
Rustam shoots Isfandiyar in the eyes. 34.5 × 24.5 cm. .
The death of Rustam. 33.5 × 22.5 cm. .
Iskandar comforting the dying Dara. 30.5 × 24.5 cm. .
Iskandar visiting the Ka'ba. 35 × 21.5 cm. .
Iskandar building the wall against Gog and Magog. 30.5 × 23 cm. .
Bahram Gur winning the crown from between the lions. 31.5 × 21.5 cm. .
Bahram Gur hunting. 30.5 × 23 cm. .
Bahram leading the Khaqan captive. 36.5 × 27 cm. .
Battle between Piruz and Khushnawaz. 32.5 × 27 cm. .
Capture of the Roman fortress by Nushirwan. 34.5 × 22.5 cm. .
Battle between the Khaqan and the Haytalians. 37 × 25.5 cm. .
Introduction of chess at the court of Nushirwan. 34.5 × 22.5 cm. .
Nushirwan attacking a moated Roman fortress. 38 × 21.5 cm. .
Sawa Shah slain by Bahram Chubina. 34.5 × 27 cm. .
The blinding of King Hurmuz and burning of his palace. 34.5 × 23 cm. .
Khusraw embracing Maryam. 34.5 × 20.5 cm. .
Bahram Chubina killing the lion-ape. 35 × 22.5 cm. .
Khusraw and Gurdiya, sister of Bahram Chubina. 34.5 × 20.5 cm. .
Shirwi sends an envoy to Khusraw. 36 × 24.5 cm. .
Rustam killed by Sa'ad at the battle of Qadisiyya. 34 × 25.5 cm. .
Double-page miniature within a sumptuous illuminated border: hunting scene. Upper part of 568v damaged and repaired. Each half 28 × 17.5 cm. .
History
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
Funding of Cataloguing
BL
Please fill out your details.