J. 18 (University Library, Cambridge University)
E. G. Browne Collection
Contents
Summary of Contents: تذکره دلگشا تألیف علی اکبر شیرازی The Tadbkira-i-Dilguská, containing biographies of modern Persian poets with specimens of their verse, by 'Ali Akbar of Shíráz. To this is prefixed an account of Shíráz and its most notable buildings, mosques and gardens, including somewhat lengthy selections from the poems of Sa'dí (ff. 12-24) and Hafiz (ff. 24-28). The author, who himself wrote poetry under the pen-name of Bismil, began this book in 1237/1821-2 at the command of Husayn 'Alí Mírzá, son of Fath-'Ali Shah. According to a note of Sir A. Houtum-Schindler (from whose library I acquired the MS. in January, 1917) it was largely used by Sayyid Hasan in the compilation of his Fárs-náma. After a fairly short and simple Preface (ff. 2-4) beginning: از فضل خدای اکبر ایمن ز خزان این روضه دلگشاست باغی ز جنان هر سطری از وست رشك زلف غلمان هر صفحه اوست غیرت عارض حور the work is divided into: Gulzár (ff. 4-40%) on Shíráz, its history, monuments, gardens, etc. This comprises three sections entitled Gulbun, occupying ff. 4-7, 7-12, and 12- 40" respectively. Bústán i (ff. 41-48). Poems by Fath-'Alí Sháh and other members of the Royal Family. Bústán (f. 48-116). Other poets, arranged alphabetically under the final letter of the Takhallus, or nom de guerre, e.g. under alif: بینوا شيدا صبا صفا فدا مینا نوا وفا ، هما يغما Khatima (f. 116-125) containing an autobiography of the author and selections from his poems, and concluding with an account of the earthquake of the 4th of Shawwál, 1239/June 2, 1824. Ff. 126 of 33'5 x 21'3 c. and 20 ll., excellent and clear naskh with rubrications. No date or colophon, but numerous erasures and corrections, especially in the early part of the book, make it appear that this MS. was written by or for the author.
Language(s): Persian
Physical Description
Form: codex
Support: Paper
Extent: Ff. 126
Dimensions: 33.5 × 21.3 cm.
Layout
20 lines
Hand(s)
excellent and clear naskh with rubrications
History
Origin: undated AH; Gregorian CE
Provenance and Acquisition
According to a note of Sir A. Houtum-Schindler (from whose library I acquired the MS. in January, 1917)
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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