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 114 Collections and/or Records:
هدايهٔ فارسی (جلد چهارم) Hidāya-'i Fārsī (vol. iv), undated
A copy of the fourth and last volume of the Hidāya, a celebrated treatise on Islamic Jurisprudence according to the doctrine of Imām Abū Ḥanīfah and his disciples Abū Yūsuf and Imām Muḥammad, the original work being in Arabic.
The current copy includes seven chapters and is bound in stamped leather.
هفت گلشن Haft-gulshan, undated (original text compiled 18th cent. C.E.)
A general history of the Muslim rulers of India, compiled, 1132 A.H.,1720 C.E., by Muḥammad Hādī, better known by his title "Kāmwar Khān" (which he received from Bahādur-Shāh I in the second year of his reign, 1120 A.H., 1708 C.E.).
يوسف وزليخا Yūsuf va Zalīkhā, undated copy (original text composed 15th cent. C.E.)
A popular poem on the love of Yūsuf and Zalīkhā by the celebrated Persian poet Jāmī (d. 898 A.H.,1492 C.E.).
Frontispiece illuminated with gold.
يوسف وزليخا Yūsuf va Zalīkhā, undated copy (extant by 18th cent. C.E.)
A popular poem on the love of Yūsuf and Zalīkhā by the celebrated Persian poet Jāmī (d. 898 A.H.,1492 C.E.).