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:
تأريخ شمشير خانی Tā'rīkh-i shamshīr-khānī, 1090 A.H., 1679 C.E.
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.
تأريخ علی وردی خان Ta’rīkh-i 'Alī Wardī Khān, undated
A history of Mirzā Muḥammad 'Alī, styled "Mahābat-Jang" (or better known as 'Alī Wardī Khān), from his birth until the year 1164 A.H., 1750 C.E., when the Marathas were expelled from Balisore and Kattak.
تاريخ گزيده Ta'rīkh-i Guzīdah, undated copy (original text extant by 17th cent. C.E.)
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 Mustawfī Qazvīnī (d. 750 A.H., 1349 C.E.).
تاريخ گزيده Ta'rīkh-i Guzīdah, 993 A.H., 1584 C.E.
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.
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.
تحفة الهند Tuḥfat al-Hind, 1182 A.H., 1735 C.E.
A general History of India from the earliest times to the reign of Farrukhsiyar. An account of the early Kings of Persia is also included. The author is Lāl-Rām b. Rāi Dūlah-Rām b. Rāi Kunjaman, who compiled it,1148 A.H., 1735 C.E., in the 18th year of Muḥammad-Shāh's reign.
ترجمهٔ پورانارته پرکاس شاستر Tarjumeh-yi pūrānāratah parakāsa shāstra, 1198 A.H., 1783 C.E.
ترجمهٔ مهابهارت Tarjumeh-yi Mahābhārata, 1103-1104 A.H., 1691-1692 C.E.
An incomplete Persian version of the Mahābhārata (The Great War), being the second epic poem of India in Sanskrit.
Copied at Akbarābād (Agra) by Hūl-Chand (first three parts) and Narsing-Dās.
تعبير خواب نامه Ta‘bīr-i khāb-nāmah, undated
A book on the interpretation of dreams ascribed to the Prophet Yūsuf.
One of the manuscripts with which the present ms. is bound, Or. Ms. 308, is dated 1066 A.H. (1655 C.E.) and bears the name of the scribe Murtaẓá Qulī Qazvīnī.
تواريخ مير سيد شريف "راقم" ''Tawārīkh-i Mīr Sayyid Sharīf" Rāqim, 1145 A.H., 1732 C.E.
A chronological account of some of the kings, learned and holy men who flourished, 736-1045 A.H. (1335-1635 C.E.), during the period of Mughal sovereignty in Central Asia, Persia, and India.