Anderson, David, 1750-1828 (Diplomat, East India Company)
Dates
- Existence: 1750 - 1828
Biography
David Anderson (1750-1828) was an East India Company diplomat born in Edinburgh. Both David and his brother James Anderson (1757-1833) were close associate of Warren Hastings (1732-1818), the first British Governor-General of Bengal, Hasting’s inner circle being known for their interest in Indian and Muslim culture and heritage. David matriculated at the University of Edinburgh in 1762, studying Humanities under Professor George Stuart (no graduation recorded). By 1767 he was in India, employed as an EIC “Writer”. By 1769 he was an assistant to George Gustavas Ducarel in (Purnea district), by 1772 he held the position of Factor, assistant to the EIC Political Resident at Murshidabad where he appears to have risen through the ranks over the subsequent years. In 1782 he negotiated a peace treaty between the Marāthās and the EIC, with Madho Rao Pundit Purdhan, in Scindia. He then remained in Scindia as Political Resident until 1785 when he returned to Britain on the same ship as Hastings. He was later a witness for the defence at Hastings’ impeachment trial, and purchased St Germain House (East Lothian).
Upon his death David Anderson bequeathed 113 manuscripts to the University of Edinburgh Library in Persian (104 items), Arabic (6) and Hindustani (3). His collection indicates practical concerns such as the gathering of information on the history of India, and informing himself on letter writing and elegant composition, but also an interest in Persian literature (particularly poetry of a Sufi nature) and some interest in Hinduism. It includes a number of items translated from Sanskrit to Persian.
Found in 24 Collections and/or Records:
Or Ms 174: السلام والدرود al-Salām w-al-durūd, undated
A collection of fourteen different salutations and ninety-five blessings on the Prophet Muḥammad. Only the last word is altered, otherwise the wording of the various sentences remains unchanged.
Or Ms 254: نصيحت نامهٔ حکماء Naṣiḥat-nāmah-yi ḥukamāʼ, undated
A few rules for health in verse, taken from ancient physicians, and containing a few hints as to the treatment of ordinary ailments, also in verse.
Or Ms 303: نان و حلوا Nān va-ḥalvā, undated copy (original text composed 17th cent. C.E.)
A mas̲navī by the great Shī‘ī theologian Shaykh Bahā’ al-Dīn b. Shaykh Ḥusayn, poetically styled "Bahā’ī" (d. circa 1030 A.H., 1621 C.E.)
Or Ms 308: عصمت نامه Iṣmat-nāmah', 1066 A.H, 1655 C.E.
The story, in the form of a mas̲navī, of the adventures of Dalīlah (here written دلالّه) Muḥtālah, adapted from the Arabian Nights. It was rendered into verse by Shaykh Ḥamīd.
Or Ms 309: ديوانِ موسوی Dīvān-i Mūsavī, undated copy (original text composed 17th cent. C.E.)
The lyrical poems (ghazals only) of Sayyid Mu‘izz al-Dīn Muḥammad "Mūsavī-Khān" (d. 1106 A.H., 1694 C.E.). This manuscript is bound with Or. Ms. 310 that bears the seal of an ‘Ibād-Allāh, dated 1188 A.H. (1774 C.E.), and Or. Ms. 312, whose scribe is given as Muḥammad Yūsuf. It may well be by the same hand.
Or Ms 310: ديوانِ شوکت Dīvān-i Shawkat, undated copy (extant by 18th cent. C.E.)
This is part of the Dīvān (ghazals only) of Muḥammad Isḥāq or Ibrāhīm of Bukhārā, poetically named "Shawkat", who died at Isfahān in 1107 A.H., 1695 C.E.. It bears the seal of an ‘Ibād-Allāh, dated 1188 A.H. (1774 C.E.). This manuscript is bound with Or. Ms. 312, whose scribe is given as Muḥammad Yūsuf. It may well be by the same hand.
Or Ms 312: ديوانِ ناصر علی وغيره .Dīvān-i Nāṣir ‘Alī, etc, 1185 A.H., 1771 C.E.
The lyrical poems of Shaykh Nāṣir ‘Alī Sirhindī, who died at Dehli c. 1108 A.H., 1697 C.E. The colophon gives the scribe's name as Muḥammad Yūsuf.
This manuscript is bound with Or. Ms. 310 that bears the seal of an ‘Ibād-Allāh, dated 1188 A.H. (1774 C.E.).
Or Ms 314: محيط اعظم Muḥīṭ-i a‘ẓam, 1161 A.H., 1748 C.E.
A mas̲navī by Mirzā ‘Abd al-Qādir Astarābādī, poetically styled "Bīdil" (d. 1133 A.H., 1720 C.E.).
Frontispiece illuminated with gold.
Or Ms 315: محيط اعظم Muḥīṭ-i a‘ẓam, undated
A mas̲navī by Mirzā ‘Abd al-Qādir Astarābādī, poetically styled "Bīdil" (d. 1133 A.H., 1720 C.E.).
Frontispiece illuminated with gold.
Or Ms 316: عشق نامه Ishq-nāmah‘, 1161 A.H., 1748 C.E.
A mas̲navī by Mirzā ‘Abd al-Qādir Astarābādī, poetically styled "Bīdil" (d. 1133 A.H., 1720 C.E.).
Frontispiece illuminated with gold.