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 35 Collections and/or Records:
اسکندر نامهٔ برّی Iskandar-nāma-i barrī, 1180 A.H., 1766 C.E.
The first part of the celebrated poem of Shaykh Jamal al-Dīn Abū Muḥammad Ilyas b. Mu'ayyad Niẓām al-Dīn, "Niẓāmī" of Ganjah, who was born at Qum, 535 A.H. (1140 C.E.), and probably died 599 A.H. (1203 C.E.), though the dates of his death are variously described, 576-607 A.H. (1180-1210 C.E.).
This section of the poem contains an account of the exploits of Alexander the Great.
بوستان Būstān, undated copy (original text composed 13th cent. C.E.)
This is a complete copy of the Būstān of the famous Persian poet Sa‘dī (d. circa 690 A.H., 1291 C.E.). It contains numerous microscopic notes written round the margins.
Transcribed at Faiz̤ābād, 1185 A.H., 1771 C.E.
بوستان Būstān, undated copy (original text composed 13th cent. C.E.)
This is a complete copy of the Būstān of the famous Persian poet Sa‘dī of Shiraz (d. circa 690 A.H., 1291 C.E.).
پدماوت Padmāwat, 1142 A.H., 1729 C.E.
تحفة العراقين Tuḥfat al-‘Irāqayn, undated copy (original text composed 12th cent. C.E.)
The well-known masnawī by the celebrated poet Imām Az̤al al-Dīn "Khāqānī" of Shirvān, who originally wrote poetry under the name of Haqā'iqī and died at Tabriz, between 582 and 595 A.H. /1186 and 1199 C.E.. In it he describes the pilgrimage that he made from Shīrwān to Mecca and Medīna and his way back, with special references to the ‘Irāq-i ‘Ajam and ‘Irāq-i ‘Arab.
جذب رسا Jaẕbrasā, 1186 A.H., 1772 C.E.
A metrical Persian translation of the story of Prince Sayf al-Mulūk and Princess Badī‘ al-Jamāl from the Arabian Nights, by Dīwān-Singh, poetically named "Khāliq" of Lahore.
دستور همّت Dastūr-i himmat, 1176 A.H., 1762 C.E.
A mas̲navī on the loves of Kāmrūp and Kamlatā, or, as the latter is called for the convenience of the metre, Latākām, by Mīr-‘īsā, better known as Himmat-Khān (d. 1092 A.H., 1681 C.E.).
دقائق الانشاء Daqāʼiq al-inshāʼ, undated copy (original text composed 18th cent. C.E.)
This work deals with the subtilties of style in the composition of both prose and poetry. The original text was compiled in 1145 A.H., 1732-1733 C.E. by Ranjhūr-Dās (also called Ranchūr-Dās).
ديوان امير خسرو Dīvān-i Amīr Khusraw, undated copy (extant by 17th cent. C.E.)
The poetical works of celebrated Persian poet of India, Amīr Yamīn al-Dīn Abū al- Ḥasan 'Khusraw' Dihlawī (d. 725 A.H., 1325 C.E.) The manuscript is undated but and owner's seal indicates that it was extant by 1634 C.E..
ديوان بدر چاچی Dīvān-i Badr Chāchī, 1126 A.H., 1714 C.E.
The lyrical poems of Muḥammad Badr al-Dīn (d. 746 A.H., 1345 C.E.), a celebrated poet of Chāch or Shāsh (the ancient name of Tāshqand).
Bears an owner seal, dated 1129 A.H., 1716 C.E.