IO Islamic 3540 (Oriental Manuscripts, British Library)
India Office Library
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
ff. 1v-2r 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. .
f. 10r 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. .
f. 17r Gayumarth and his court. 27 × 21.5 cm. .
f. 25r Faridun strikes down Zahhak in the palace in the presence of Jamshid's sisters. 32 × 21.5 cm. .
f. 35r Tur defeated and killed by Minuchihr. 30 × 21.5 cm. .
f. 44r Zal embracing Rudaba. 29.5 × 23 cm. .
f. 54r The birth of Rustam. 29.5 × 21.5 cm. .
f. 71v Rustam and the White Demon. 30.5 × 21.5 cm. .
f. 91r The death of Suhrab. 30.5 × 21.5 cm. .
f. 98r The fire-ordeal of Siyawush. 29.5 × 20.5 cm. .
f. 106r Siyawush playing polo with Afrasiyab. 27 × 22.5 in. .
f. 116r The murder of Siyawush. 29.5 × 25.5 cm. .
f. 121v Rustam in battle against Afrasiyab. 33.5 × 27 cm. .
f. 130r The enthronement of Kay Khusraw. 28 × 20.5 cm. .
f. 138v Persian troops sacking Farud's castle. 35 × 25.5 cm. .
f. 144v The battle of Mount Hamawan between the armies of Gudarz and Piran. 36 × 27 cm. .
f. 153r Ruhham and the Sorcerer. 36 × 27 cm. .
f. 166r Combat of Rustam and Ashkabus. 34.5 × 28 cm. .
f. 176r Rustam in battle, after being visited by Piran. 33.5 × 25.5 cm. .
f. 183r Rustam attacking the fortress of Kafur the man-eater. 36 × 25.5 cm. .
f. 195v Piran saves Bizhan from the gallows. 30 × 20.5 cm. .
f. 206r Rustam's raid on Afrasiyab's palace after rescuing Bizhan. 29.5 × 21 cm. .
f. 219r Barzu lassoing Faramurz. 33.5 × 22.5 cm. .
f. 225r Combat of Rustam and Barzu. 33.5 × 28 cm. .
f. 238v Encounter of Afrasiyab and Pilsam. 33.5 × 25.5 cm. .
f. 242r Rustam falls in combat with Pilsam. The latter being kicked by Rakhsh. 36 × 29.5 cm. .
f. 254v Human slain by Bizhan. 36 × 25.5 cm. .
f. 262r Combat of Giw and Piran. 32.5 × 27 cm. .
f. 274r Rustam leading the Persian army to war with Afrasiyab. 34.5 × 25.5 cm. .
f. 281v Kay Khusraw slays Ustuqila the Kurd. 36 × 28 cm. .
f. 288v The women of Afrasiyab before Kay Khusraw. 30.5 × 23 cm. .
f. 299r Execution of Afrasiyab by Kay Khusraw. 30.5 × 22.5 cm. .
ff. 307v-308r Double-page miniature within a sumptuous illuminated border. The enthronement of Luhrasp. Each half 27 × 16 cm. .
f. 315r Gushtasp killing the dragon. 30.5 × 21 cm. .
f. 324v Death of Zarir in battle between Iran and Turan. 34.5 × 28 cm. .
f. 339v Isfandiyar's attack on Arjasp in the Brazen Fortress. 34.5 × 27 cm. .
f. 356r Rustam shoots Isfandiyar in the eyes. 34.5 × 24.5 cm. .
f. 361v The death of Rustam. 33.5 × 22.5 cm. .
f. 373r Iskandar comforting the dying Dara. 30.5 × 24.5 cm. .
f. 381r Iskandar visiting the Ka'ba. 35 × 21.5 cm. .
f. 390r Iskandar building the wall against Gog and Magog. 30.5 × 23 cm. .
f. 401v Bahram Gur winning the crown from between the lions. 31.5 × 21.5 cm. .
f. 411v Bahram Gur hunting. 30.5 × 23 cm. .
f. 416v Bahram leading the Khaqan captive. 36.5 × 27 cm. .
f. 429r Battle between Piruz and Khushnawaz. 32.5 × 27 cm. .
f. 441v Capture of the Roman fortress by Nushirwan. 34.5 × 22.5 cm. .
f. 454r Battle between the Khaqan and the Haytalians. 37 × 25.5 cm. .
f. 463v Introduction of chess at the court of Nushirwan. 34.5 × 22.5 cm. .
f. 477v Nushirwan attacking a moated Roman fortress. 38 × 21.5 cm. .
f. 490v Sawa Shah slain by Bahram Chubina. 34.5 × 27 cm. .
f. 502r The blinding of King Hurmuz and burning of his palace. 34.5 × 23 cm. .
f. 519r Khusraw embracing Maryam. 34.5 × 20.5 cm. .
f. 528v Bahram Chubina killing the lion-ape. 35 × 22.5 cm. .
f. 536v Khusraw and Gurdiya, sister of Bahram Chubina. 34.5 × 20.5 cm. .
f. 547v Shirwi sends an envoy to Khusraw. 36 × 24.5 cm. .
f. 561r Rustam killed by Sa'ad at the battle of Qadisiyya. 34 × 25.5 cm. .
ff. 568v-569r Double-page miniature within a sumptuous illuminated border: hunting scene. Upper part of 568v damaged and repaired. Each half 28 × 17.5 cm. .
History
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