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 4 Collections and/or Records:
تأريخ بابا نصيب Taʼrīkh-i Bābā Naṣīb, undated
This is a work on history by Bābā Naṣīb, who was a celebrated Sufi saint of Kashmīr (d.1047 A.H., 1637 C.E.). It is also known as the "Rīshī-nāmah" or the "Darvīsh-nāmah-yi Mullā Naṣīb".
رشحات عين الحيات Rashaḥāt-i ‘ayn al-ḥayāt, undated (original text compiled 17th cent. C.E.)
A well-known collection of biographies of spiritual guides of the Naqshbandī order and principally of Khwājah Naṣīr al-Dīn ‘Ubayd- Allāh, by his disciple Mawlānā Fakhr al-Dīn ‘Alī b. al-Ḥusayn al-Wā‘iz al-Kāshifī, better known as "Sāfī" (d. 939 A.H., 1532 C.E.).
شاه وگدا Shāh-u Gadā, undated copy (original text composed 16th cent. C.E.)
A mystical poem by Badr al-Dīn Astarābādī, poetically styled "Hilālī" (d. circa 936 A.H., 1530 C.E.).
The poem is followed by an incomplete essay in prose containing advice to men, by an unknown person.
کتاب مناهج التّوصّل في مباهج التّرسّل Kitāb manāhij al-tawaṣṣul fī mabāhij al-tarassul, undated
An incomplete copy of the treatise on the Sufi styles of letter writing by ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Muḥammad bin ‘Alī bin Aḥmad al-Ḥanafī al-Bisṭāmī (d. 858 A.H., 1454 C.E.).