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:
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.
ديوان خاقانی Dīvān-i Khāqānī, undated copy (original text composed 12th cent. C.E.)
The collected poems of Imām Afz̤al al-Dīn Badil Ibrāhīm b. 'Alī Najjār "Khāqānī" of Shirvan, 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..
ديوان خاقانی Dīvān-i Khāqānī, undated copy (original text composed 12th cent. C.E.)
The collected poems of Imām Afz̤al al-Dīn Badil Ibrāhīm b. 'Alī Najjār "Khāqānī" of Shirvan, 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.. It contains both named and unnamed works.
ديوانِ دانش Dīvān-i Dānish, undated copy (original text composed 17th cent. C.E.)
The lyrical poems of "Dānish", the pen name of Mīr, or Mirzā, Rāzī of Mashhad b. Abū Turāb (d. 1076 A.H., 1665 C.E.).
ديوان سعدی Dīvān-i Sa‘dī, undated copy (original text composed 13th cent. C.E.)
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.
ديوان سعدی Dīvān-i Sa‘dī, 997 A.H., 1588 C.E.
An incomplete collection of the poems of pre-eminently the most popular of Persian poets Sa'dī of Shiraz, 606-691 A.H. (1210-1291-2 C.E.).
ديوانِ شوکت Dīvān-i Shawkat, undated copy (extant by 18th cent. C.E.)
This is part of the Dīvān (ghazals only) of Muḥammad Isḥāq or Ibrāhīm of Bukhārā, poetically named "Shawkat", who died at Isfahān in 1107 A.H., 1695 C.E.. It bears the seal of an ‘Ibād-Allāh, dated 1188 A.H. (1774 C.E.). This manuscript is bound with Or. Ms. 312, whose scribe is given as Muḥammad Yūsuf. It may well be by the same hand.
ديوانِ عرفی Dīvān-i ‘Urfī, undated copy (original text composed 16th cent. C.E.)
ديوانِ عرفی Dīvān-i ‘Urfī, undated copy (extant by 18th cent. C.E.)
The poems of Sayyid Muḥammad Jamāl al-Dīn ‘Urfī Shīrāzī (d. 999 A.H., 1586 C.E.).
ديوان مظهر Dīvān-i maẓhar, undated copy (original text composed 18th cent. C.E.)
Selected poems of Mirzā Jān-Jānān, son of Mirzā- Jān, of Agra (d. 1195 A.H., 1781 C.E.).