I. 3 (University Library, Cambridge University)
E. G. Browne Collection
Contents
Summary of Contents: نصف جهان في تعريف اصفهان Another Persian work on the history and topography of Isfahan composed in
1303/1883-6 by Muhammad Mahdi ibn Muhammad Ridá al-Isfahani, who entitled
it Nisfi-Jahan ("Half the World," a title formerly given to the old Şafawi
capital). This MS., from the library of the late Sir A. Houtum-Schindler, comprises
ff. 242 of 21'7 x 14'6 c. and 18 ll.; written in an excellent and very clear modern Persian naskh with rubrications and completed in Rajab, 1308 (Feb.-March,
1891). Begins after the Bismi'lláh and brief doxology: اما بعد اقل بندگان حضرت سبحانی محمد مهدی ابن محمد رضا الاصفهانی بر رای بیضا
ضیای صاحبان خبرت و بصیرت عرضه میدارد الخ The author tells us (f. 23) that this is a revised and enlarged recension of a work
on the same subject which he composed in 1300/1882-3. Of his life we gather
little, except that he spent some time in Bombay and associated with the Parsees
there (ff. 8 and 88") and was in Tihrán in 1275/1858-9 (f. 89). He also appears
to have some knowledge of European ideas and methods (which he contrasts
favourably with those of his own country) and of the Old Testament and the works
of Sir John Malcolm, Kaempfer and other European writers on Persia. Of the two
works mentioned above (that of Máfarrúkhí and its Persian version) he has made
extensive use, which he fully acknowledges, but he justly criticizes them for their
lack of geographical material, and has endeavoured to supplement them especially
in this particular. His account of the various buildings and gardens, and his sketch
of the history of Isfahán, especially in Şafawi times, are amongst the most valuable
parts of the book, which is divided into six sections (fast) preceded by a Preface
(Muqaddama), as follows: مقدمه (2) فصل اوّل در بیان کلیات حالات اصفهان و ناحیهٔ آن و تغییرات اسمی و نسبی که در آن روی نموده است (4) فصل دویم در قسمت این ناحیت بشهر و بلوك و غير آن و وضع شهر و حدود آنست (13)
فصل سیم در اجزای صناعی اصفهان و امور متعلقه بآنست (18) ) فصل چهارم در امور طبیعی اصفهان (52) فصل پنجم در تاریخ اصفهان و ابتدای بنای آن و وجه تسمیه آن بدین اسم (f go) فصل ششم ذكر بلوكات اصفهان (212 .f)
1303/1883-6 by Muhammad Mahdi ibn Muhammad Ridá al-Isfahani, who entitled
it Nisfi-Jahan ("Half the World," a title formerly given to the old Şafawi
capital). This MS., from the library of the late Sir A. Houtum-Schindler, comprises
ff. 242 of 21'7 x 14'6 c. and 18 ll.; written in an excellent and very clear modern Persian naskh with rubrications and completed in Rajab, 1308 (Feb.-March,
1891). Begins after the Bismi'lláh and brief doxology: اما بعد اقل بندگان حضرت سبحانی محمد مهدی ابن محمد رضا الاصفهانی بر رای بیضا
ضیای صاحبان خبرت و بصیرت عرضه میدارد الخ The author tells us (f. 23) that this is a revised and enlarged recension of a work
on the same subject which he composed in 1300/1882-3. Of his life we gather
little, except that he spent some time in Bombay and associated with the Parsees
there (ff. 8 and 88") and was in Tihrán in 1275/1858-9 (f. 89). He also appears
to have some knowledge of European ideas and methods (which he contrasts
favourably with those of his own country) and of the Old Testament and the works
of Sir John Malcolm, Kaempfer and other European writers on Persia. Of the two
works mentioned above (that of Máfarrúkhí and its Persian version) he has made
extensive use, which he fully acknowledges, but he justly criticizes them for their
lack of geographical material, and has endeavoured to supplement them especially
in this particular. His account of the various buildings and gardens, and his sketch
of the history of Isfahán, especially in Şafawi times, are amongst the most valuable
parts of the book, which is divided into six sections (fast) preceded by a Preface
(Muqaddama), as follows: مقدمه (2) فصل اوّل در بیان کلیات حالات اصفهان و ناحیهٔ آن و تغییرات اسمی و نسبی که در آن روی نموده است (4) فصل دویم در قسمت این ناحیت بشهر و بلوك و غير آن و وضع شهر و حدود آنست (13)
فصل سیم در اجزای صناعی اصفهان و امور متعلقه بآنست (18) ) فصل چهارم در امور طبیعی اصفهان (52) فصل پنجم در تاریخ اصفهان و ابتدای بنای آن و وجه تسمیه آن بدین اسم (f go) فصل ششم ذكر بلوكات اصفهان (212 .f)
Physical Description
Form: codex
Support: Paper
Extent: Ff. 242
Dimensions: 21.7 × 14.6 cm.
Layout
18 lines
Hand(s)
Persian naskh with rubrications, completed in Rajab, 1308 (Feb.-March, 1891).
History
Origin: 1308 AH; 1891 CE
Provenance and Acquisition
This MS. from the library of the late Sir A. Houtum-Schindler.
Bequest of E. G. Browne.
Record Sources
Summary, physical description and provenance copied from R. A. Nicholson: A descriptive catalogue of the Oriental MSS belonging to the late E.G. Browne. Cambridge, 1932.
Availability
Entry to read in the Library is permitted only on presentation of a valid reader's card for admissions procedures contact Cambridge University Library Admissions). Contact near_eastern@lib.cam.ac.uk for further information on the availability of this manuscript
Funding of Cataloguing
JISC
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