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Anderson, David, 1750-1828 (Diplomat, East India Company)

 Person

Staff Only

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 18 Collections and/or Records:

انوار سهيلی Anwār-i Suhaylī, undated copy (original text composed 15th cent. C.E.)

 Item
Identifier: Or Ms 339
Scope and Contents

A copy of the Persian rendition of Kalīlah and Dimnah, by Kamāl al-Dīn Ḥusayn Vāʿiẓ Kāshifī, born ca. 840 A.H. (1436-37 C.E.) died. 910 A.H. (1504-5 C.E.).


Illuminated Frontispiece.

Dates: undated copy (original text composed 15th cent. C.E.)
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Manuscripts of the Islamicate World and South Asia

بهوپال شاستر Bhūpāl shāstra, undated

 Item
Identifier: Or Ms 326
Scope and Contents A collection of Hindu codes intended for the use of kings, translated from the Sanskrit by an unnamed Muslim. The author of the original text is Paras-Rām b. Kishtan-Dīw. Contains a single illustration on fol. 244b. The decoration is unfinished, with many blank space left for illustrations and diagrams. The margins contain numerous corrections and additions that appear to be in the same hand as the main text, raising the possibility that this is the holograph...
Dates: undated
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Manuscripts of the Islamicate World and South Asia

تأريخ شمشير خانی Tā'rīkh-i shamshīr-khānī, 1090 A.H., 1679 C.E.

 Item
Identifier: Or Ms 270
Scope and Contents

This is a copy of an abridgement of the Shāh-nāmah of Firdawsī, compiled with a connecting narrative in prose by Tawakkul Beg, son of Tūlāk Beg al-Ḥasanī. The history begins with the reign of Gayūmars̱, and is brought down to the Sāsānians, descendants of Ardashīr-Bābagān.


Illuminated frontispieces.

Dates: 1090 A.H.; 1679 C.E.
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Manuscripts of the Islamicate World and South Asia

تاريخ گزيده Ta'rīkh-i Guzīdah, 993 A.H., 1584 C.E.

 Item
Identifier: Or Ms 185
Scope and Contents

A general history from the earliest times to 730 A.H. (1329 C.E.), the year, as it is stated in the preface, when it was compiled by Ḥamd-allāh b. 'Abī Bakr b. Aḥmad b. Naṣr Mustaufī Qazwīnī (d. 750 A.H., 1349 C.E.), and the present name, meaning "the select history" was given to it.


The first two pages and the frontispiece are richly illuminated; gold-lined throughout.

Dates: 993 A.H.; 1584 C.E.
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Manuscripts of the Islamicate World and South Asia

ديوان سعدی Dīvān-i Sa‘dī, undated copy (original text composed 13th cent. C.E.)

 Item
Identifier: Or Ms 285
Scope and Contents

An incomplete collection of the poems of one of the most celebrated of Persian poets Sa'dī of Shiraz, 606-691 A.H. (1210-1291-2 C.E.).

It consists of: Būstān, fols. 1- 65, qaṣīdāt, fols. 655-89; muqaṭṭa'āt, fols. 895-141.

It contains, two illuminated frontispieces.

Dates: undated copy (original text composed 13th cent. C.E.)
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Manuscripts of the Islamicate World and South Asia

ديوانِ عرفی Dīvān-i ‘Urfī, undated copy (original text composed 16th cent. C.E.)

 Item
Identifier: Or Ms 302
Scope and Contents The collected works of the celebrated poet Sayyid Muḥammad Jamāl al-Dīn " 'Urfī " Shīrāzī, who came to India, 994 A.H. (1586 C.E.), first proceeded to the Deccan, where he soon entered into the service of Ḥakīm Masīḥ al-Dīn Abū al-Fatḥ Jīlānī, but subsequently, on the death of his patron, 997 A.H. (1589 C.E.), he went to seek his fortune at Agra. Here he soon rose in the favour of the Khān-i Khānān, Mīrzā 'Abd al-Raḥīm (the son of Bayram Khān, who had been Akbar's regent), who had translated...
Dates: undated copy (original text composed 16th cent. C.E.)
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Manuscripts of the Islamicate World and South Asia

روضته الصفاء Rawz̤at al-ṣafāʼ, 1006 A.H., 1598 C.E.

 Item
Identifier: Or Ms 186
Scope and Contents A well-known general history in seven volumes, from the earliest times to the time of the author, Sayyid Muḥammad b. Burhān al-Dīn Khawand-Shāh (d. 903 A.H., 1498 C.E.). Most of the work was written by the author himself, but was completed by his grandson Ghiyās̱ al-Dīn Muḥammad b. Ḥāmid al-Dīn Khwand-Amīr (d. 942 A.H., 1535 C.E.). This manuscript includes volumes 1-3 of the work, each with an illuminated frontispiece.At the beginning of the manuscript there is a contents page in...
Dates: 1006 A.H.; 1598 C.E.
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Manuscripts of the Islamicate World and South Asia

روضته الصفاء Rawz̤at al-ṣafāʼ, 999 A.H., 1591 C.E.

 Item
Identifier: Or Ms 187
Scope and Contents A well-known general history in seven volumes, from the earliest times to the time of the author, Sayyid Muḥammad b. Burhān al-Dīn Khawand-Shāh (d. 903 A.H., 1498 C.E.). Most of the work was written by the author himself, but was completed by his grandson Ghiyās̱ al-Dīn Muḥammad b. Ḥāmid al-Dīn Khwand-Amīr (d. 942 A.H., 1535 C.E.). This manuscript includes volumes 4-5 of the work, each with an illuminated frontispiece. They feature in reverse order.For volumes 1-3 of this work,...
Dates: 999 A.H.; 1591 C.E.
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Manuscripts of the Islamicate World and South Asia

روضته الصفاء Rawz̤at al-ṣafāʼ, 999 A.H., 1591 C.E.

 Item
Identifier: Or Ms 188
Scope and Contents A well-known general history in seven volumes, from the earliest times to the time of the author, Sayyid Muḥammad b. Burhān al-Dīn Khawand-Shāh (d. 903 A.H., 1498 C.E.). Most of the work was written by the author himself, but was completed by his grandson Ghiyās̱ al-Dīn Muḥammad b. Ḥāmid al-Dīn Khwand-Amīr (d. 942 A.H., 1535 C.E.). This manuscript includes volumes 6-7 of the work, each with an illuminated frontispiece.For volumes 1-3 of this work, from the collection of the same...
Dates: 999 A.H.; 1591 C.E.
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Manuscripts of the Islamicate World and South Asia

طلسم حيرت Ṭilsim-i ḥayrat, undated copy (extant by 18th cent. C.E.)

 Item
Identifier: Or Ms 317
Scope and Contents

A mas̲navī by Mirzā ‘Abd al-Qādir Astarābādī, poetically styled "Bīdil" (d. 1133 A.H., 1720 C.E.).


Frontispiece illuminated.

Dates: undated copy (extant by 18th cent. C.E.)
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Manuscripts of the Islamicate World and South Asia