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Anderson, David, 1750-1828 (Diplomat, East India Company)

 Person

Staff Only

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:

روضته الصفاء Rawz̤at al-ṣafāʼ, 999 A.H., 1591 C.E.

 Item
Identifier: Or Ms 187
Scope and Contents A well-known general history in seven volumes, from the earliest times to the time of the author, Sayyid Muḥammad b. Burhān al-Dīn Khawand-Shāh (d. 903 A.H., 1498 C.E.). Most of the work was written by the author himself, but was completed by his grandson Ghiyās̱ al-Dīn Muḥammad b. Ḥāmid al-Dīn Khwand-Amīr (d. 942 A.H., 1535 C.E.). This manuscript includes volumes 4-5 of the work, each with an illuminated frontispiece. They feature in reverse order.For volumes 1-3 of this work,...
Dates: 999 A.H.; 1591 C.E.
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Manuscripts of the Islamicate World and South Asia

روضته الصفاء Rawz̤at al-ṣafāʼ, 999 A.H., 1591 C.E.

 Item
Identifier: Or Ms 188
Scope and Contents A well-known general history in seven volumes, from the earliest times to the time of the author, Sayyid Muḥammad b. Burhān al-Dīn Khawand-Shāh (d. 903 A.H., 1498 C.E.). Most of the work was written by the author himself, but was completed by his grandson Ghiyās̱ al-Dīn Muḥammad b. Ḥāmid al-Dīn Khwand-Amīr (d. 942 A.H., 1535 C.E.). This manuscript includes volumes 6-7 of the work, each with an illuminated frontispiece.For volumes 1-3 of this work, from the collection of the same...
Dates: 999 A.H.; 1591 C.E.
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Manuscripts of the Islamicate World and South Asia

سنگهاسن بتّيسی Singhāsana battīsī, 1198 A.H., 1783 C.E.

 Item
Identifier: Or Ms 329
Scope and Contents

An abridged version of the well-known original Sanskrit work of the thirty-two tales of the throne, or the stories of King Vikramaditya and Rājah Bhūj. Copied in Calcutta in the Faṣlī year 1192 (see dating for A.H. and C.E. equivalents) by Shaykh Aḥmad-Baksh Ṣiddīqī.

In the same hand as, and bearing very similar physical features to, Or Mss 327 and 328. It is highly likely that all three manuscripts are of shared origin and production history.

Dates: 1198 A.H.; 1783 C.E.
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Manuscripts of the Islamicate World and South Asia

سير المتأخّرين Siyar al Mutaʼakhkhirīn, 1196 A.H., 1782 C.E.

 Item
Identifier: Or Ms 226
Scope and Contents

An elaborate history of the Mughal Empire in India from 1118 A.H., 1707 C.E., the year of Emperor ‘Ālamgīr's death, to 1195 A.H., 1781 C.E., by Ghulām Ḥusayn b. Hidāyat ‘Alī Khān-Bahādur Asad-Jang b. al-Sayyid ‘Ālim-Allāh b. al-Sayyid Fayz̤-Allāh al-Ṭabāṭabāʼī al-Ḥasanī of ‘Aẓīmābād.


Two uniform volumes in one.

Dates: 1196 A.H.; 1782 C.E.
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Manuscripts of the Islamicate World and South Asia

شاه نامه Shāh-nāmah, undated copy (original text composed 10th-11th cent. C.E.)

 Item
Identifier: Or Ms 268
Scope and Contents

A complete copy of the Persian "Book of Kings" and epic poem, the verse written by Abū'l-Qāsim Firdawsī ca. 329-410 A.H. (940-1019 C.E.), over two volumes OR MS 268 and 269. The first volume is injured in its first half.


Headings in black or red.


Numerous later additions have been made on the margins.

Dates: undated copy (original text composed 10th-11th cent. C.E.)
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Manuscripts of the Islamicate World and South Asia

شاه نامه Shāh-nāmah, undated copy (original text composed 10th-11th cent. C.E.)

 Item
Identifier: Or Ms 269
Scope and Contents

A complete copy of the Persian "Book of Kings" and epic poem, the verse written by Abū'l-Qāsim Firdawsī ca. 329-410 A.H. (940-1019 C.E.), over two volumes OR MS 268 and 269. The first volume is injured in its first half.


Headings in black or red.


Numerous later additions have been made on the margins.

Dates: undated copy (original text composed 10th-11th cent. C.E.)
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Manuscripts of the Islamicate World and South Asia

شاه وگدا Shāh-u Gadā, undated copy (original text composed 16th cent. C.E.)

 Item
Identifier: Or Ms 298
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: undated copy (original text composed 16th cent. C.E.)
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Manuscripts of the Islamicate World and South Asia

شرح تذكرة الطوسى Sharḥ tadhkirat al-Ṭūsī, 1146 A.H., 1733 C.E.

 Item
Identifier: Or Ms 170
Scope and Contents

A commentary on the Tadhkirah, a treatise on the elements of Astronomy of the famous Khwājah Naṣīr al-Dīn al-Ṭūsī (d. 672 A.H., 1273 C.E.), by Al-Sayyid al-Sharīf al-Jurjānī (d. 816 A.H., 1413 C.E.), who compiled it in 811 A.H. (1408 C.E.). It is divided into four chapters.


Contains numerous neat diagrams in colour.

Dates: 1146 A.H.; 1733 C.E.
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Manuscripts of the Islamicate World and South Asia

شرح حديقة الحقيقة Sharḥ-i ḥadīqat al- ḥaqīqah, 1051 A.H., 1641 C.E.

 Item
Identifier: Or Ms 273
Scope and Contents The Ḥadīqah (a poem on the unity of God, other religions subjects, and ethics), with an elaborate commentary upon the same. The poem is by celebrated poet and philosopher Shaykh Abū al-Majd Majdūd, or Majd al-Dīn 'Sanāʼī' b. Ādam, commonly known as Ḥakīm Sanāʼī who was born at Ghaznī towards the later half of the 5th century A.H. (11th century C.E.). The commentary is by Khwājah ‘Abd al-Laṭīf b. ‘Abd-Allāh al-‘Abbāsī (d. 1048 or 1049 A.H., 1638 or...
Dates: 1051 A.H.; 1641 C.E.
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Manuscripts of the Islamicate World and South Asia

شفاء المرض Shifāʼ al-marz̤, undated (original text compiled 16th cent. C.E.)

 Item
Identifier: Or Ms 250
Scope and Contents

A compendium of medicine in verse, compiled, 990 A.H. (1582 C.E.) by Shihāb al- Dīn b. ‘Abd al- Karīm.

Dates: undated (original text compiled 16th cent. C.E.)
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Manuscripts of the Islamicate World and South Asia