Union Catalogue of Manuscripts from the Islamicate World

Or 6810 (Oriental Manuscripts, British Library)

Oriental Manuscripts

Khamsah ( خمسه ) of Niẓāmī Ganjavī, 1140 or 41-1202 or 3, نظامى گنجوى

Contents

5 works by 2 authors on the subjects of Persian poetry and Masnavis

1. f 3v-29r
Language(s): Persian

f. 5v The Prophet (not veiled) mounted on Burāḳ and escorted by angels passing overt the Ka'bah.

f. 16r Sulṭān Sanjar and the old woman.

f. 27v Hārūn al-Rashīd and the barber.

References

For a more detailed description see Meredith-Owens 1968, page 66.
For a more detailed description see Titley 1977, page 141.
2. f 30v-97v
Language(s): Persian

f. 37v The elders pleading before Hurmuzd on behalf of the young Khusrau.

f. 39v Shīrīn being shown the portrait of Khusrau by one of her handmaidens.

f. 62v Farhād arriving at Shīrīn's palace. (Inscription: Written for the library of the Great Amīr, the most just, the most courageous 'Alī Fārsī Barlās, may God strenghten his fortune until the day of resurrection).

f. 72v The suicide of Farhād on Mt. Bisitun.

f. 93r Shīrūy murdering Khusrau in bed. (Inscription round the building and door are of a Persian quatrain).

References

For a more detailed description see Meredith-Owens 1968, page 66.
For a more detailed description see Titley 1977, page 141.
3. f 98v-146v
Language(s): Persian

f. 106v Lailā and Majnūn at school. (Inscription over the doorway and below the dome are of Ḳuranic texts).

f. 128v Majnūn visited by Salīm in the desert.

f. 135v Mourning the death of Lailā's husband, Ibn Salām.

f. 137v Lailā and Majnūn fainting.

f. 144v The death of Majnūn on Lailā's grave.

References

For a more detailed description see Meredith-Owens 1968, page 66.
For a more detailed description see Titley 1977, page 141.
4. f 147v-198v
Language(s): Persian

f. 154v The building of the palace of Khavarnaḳ for Na'mān who was the guardian of the young Bahrām Gūr.

f. 157r Bahrām Gūr killing the dragon.

f. 175r Bishr feeling for the body of his drowned companion Malīkhā with a branch. (Story told by a Tartar Princess).

f. 190r The owner of the garden discovering maidens bathing in his pool. (Story told by the Greek Princess).

References

For a more detailed description see Meredith-Owens 1968, page 66.
For a more detailed description see Titley 1977, page 141.
5. f 199v-234v
f. 235v-303r

This work is divided in two parts

Language(s): Persian

f. 214r Iskandar (in the likeness of Ḥusain Bāiḳarā) with the seven sages. (Inscription: Year 900).

f. 225v Iskandar on the island near the "Lion's Mouth" whirlpool beating the wolfskin drum of the bronze talisman in order to still the waters. (One of the figures in the boat is shown in the likeness of Ḥusain Bāiḳarā).

f. 273r Iskandar (in the likeness of Ḥusain Bāiḳarā) visiting the wise man in a cave.

References

For a more detailed description see Meredith-Owens 1968, page 66.
For a more detailed description see Titley 1977, page 141.

Physical Description

Form: codex
Extent: 203 ff
Dimensions (leaf): 24.3 × 17 cm.

Decoration

21 miniatures

5 illuminations

The manuscript being presented to Sulṭān Mirzā Barlās, ruler of Samarkand.

History

Origin: Herat; 900 AH

Record Sources

Manuscript description based on G. M. Meredith-Owens: Handlist of Persian manuscripts 1895-1966. London, 1968, with additional enhancements.

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.

Digital Images

BL Digitised Manuscripts (full digital facsimile)

Funding of Cataloguing

BL


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