Union Catalogue of Manuscripts from the Islamicate World

G. 17 (University Library, Cambridge University)

E. G. Browne Collection

Contents

Summary of Contents: شمس التواريخخ A general history of the Muhammadan dynasties down to the rise of the Qájár dynasty in Persia, with an Introduction (Mugaddama) on the Prophet Muhammad and his predecessors and successors, compiled in the reign of Muhammad Shah (A.D. 1834-1841) by 'Abdu'l-Wahháb of Chahár Maháll, poetically named Qatra, and entitled Shamsu't-Tawarikh ("the Sun of Histories"). A brief notice of the author is given in Ridá-qulí Khán's Majma'u'l-Fusahá, vol. II, pp. 422-424, with numerous citations from his poems. This history comprises, besides the above-mentioned Mayaddama (f. 3-13) and two Conclusions (Khatima), forty chapters, arranged as follows: (1) Umayyads: (2) Ancient Kings of Persia; (3) Kings of Yaman: (4) Arabian Kings; (5) Ismá'ílís, including the Fátimid Caliphs of Egypt and the West and the Assassins; (6) Tahirids; (7) Saffärids; (8) Sámánids; (9) Ghaznawis; (10) Saljúqs: (11) Khwarizmshahs; (12) Qará-Khita'is of Kirmán; (13) Muzaffarids; (14) the Injú dynasty in Fars: (15) Buwayhids: (16) Ziyárids: (17) Ghúrids: (18) Khiljis; (19) Kings of Nimráz or Sistán; (20) Kurts; (21) Sarbadárán: (22) Atábeks; (23) remnants of the dynasties 8-10 and 15 supra which survived in various parts of Persia; (24) Ayyúbids of Egypt: (25) Turkish dynasties of Egypt and Syria; (26) Circassian dynasties of Egypt and the West: (27) Chaláwi rulers of Tabaristán (28) rulers of Mázandarán; (29) rulers of Gilán; (30) Shírwánsháhs; (31) Dhul-Qadr dynasty: (32) the Almohade (Muwaḥḥidt) dynasty of N. Africa: (33) Chingiz Khan the Mongol and his descendants; (34) the Jala'ir or Ilkáni dynasty; (35) Tímúr and his descendants; (36) the Black Sheep" and "White Sheep" Turkmán dynasties: (37) the Safawis; (38) the Afgháns; (39) Nádir Shah; (40) the Zand dynasty. The Conclusion (Khátima) comprises two parts, of which the first treats of the Qájárs (ff. 192-197) and the second of the Ottoman Sultáns (ff. 198-210) The MS, comprises 210 ff. of 21.8 x 17.5 cm and 16 ll.; small, neat nasta'liq with rubrications. There are numerous marginal additions and corrections which suggest the idea that this was the author's autograph, an idea supported by an inscription at the end in a different hand by Lutfu'lláh the son of 'Abdu'l-Wahhab of Niháwand (presumably the author) dated Ramadán, 1256 (November, 1840).

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: Paper
Extent: Ff. 210
Dimensions: 21.8 × 17.5 cm.

Layout

16 lines

Hand(s)

Small, neat nasta'liq with rubrications

History

Origin: 1256 AH; 1840 CE

Provenance and Acquisition

An inscription at the end in a different hand by Lutfu'lláh the son of 'Abdu'l-Wahhab of Niháwand

Bequest of E. G. Browne.

Record Sources

Availability

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Funding of Cataloguing

JISC


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