Dates
Biography
James Anderson (1757-1833) was a soldier and Persian interpreter for the East India Company. He and his brother, David Anderson (1750-1828), were close associates of Warren Hastings (1732-1818), the first British Governor-General of Bengal, Hasting’s inner circle being known for their interest in South Asian and Muslim culture and heritage. Born in Edinburgh, he studied at the University of Edinburgh matriculating in 1768 and graduating in 1774, taking courses in Greek, Rational, Moral, and Natural Philosophy, Rhetoric and Belles Letters. He also studied with James Robertson (Chair of Hebrew 1751-1792), participating in Robertson’s "Hebrew Language" classes that included the tuition of Arabic and Persian. In 1775 Anderson joined the East India Company Army, being promoted to Lieutenant in 1778. He acted as translator for an important peace treaty between the Marāthās and the EIC, negotiated between David Anderson and Madho Rao Pundit Purdhan at Scindia in 1782.
James Anderson worked together with Charles Hamilton (c.1752-92) on the translation of the Hedāyah, an important work of Hanafī jurisprudence by Burhān al-Dīn Marghīnānī (1135-1197 C.E.) that became central to the legal system operated by the British in South Asia. East India Company records show that by 1789 Anderson was on furlough in Europe, and that by 1791 he had been “Struck Off”. He later purchased Wilton Lodge near Hawick. In November of 1844 Adam Anderson, James’ nephew donated his late uncle’s manuscripts to the University Library. This included 57 items, the vast majority in Persian (several in Arabic). Poetry and historiography feature prominently among these works with medicine, Islamic Law, the Persian epics, and other topics also treated.
Found in 4 Collections and/or Records:
Item
Identifier: Or Ms 272
Scope and Contents
An epic poem celebrating the exploits of Sām (son of Narīmān), who succeeded Garshāsp as Jahān-Pahlawān, and his romantic love with Princess Parīdukht, daughter of the Emperor of China. The author's name is not given, but as it is in close imitation of the celebrated mas̲navī of Khvājū-yi Kirmānī (d. c. 1349 C.E.) entitled Humā-yi Humāyūn, it is usually ascribed to the same author.The present copy is written in fine nast'līq in four columns,...
Dates:
undated
Item
Identifier: Or Ms 266
Scope and Contents
A superb 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.). The present copy is across two volumes OR MS 266 and 267; the verse appears to be complete but it does not include the preface.It is written in fine nast 'līq in four columns, framed by coloured lines, with headings in red or gold and has an illuminated frontispiece. The last few folios are slightly...
Dates:
undated copy (original text composed 10th-11th cent. C.E.)
Item
Identifier: Or Ms 267
Scope and Contents
A superb 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.). The present copy is across two volumes OR MS 266 and 267; the verse appears to be complete but it does not include the preface.It is written in fine nast'līq in four columns, framed by coloured lines, with headings in red or gold and has an illuminated frontispiece.Despite being undated the other...
Dates:
undated copy (original text composed 10th-11th cent. C.E.)
Item
Identifier: Or Ms 271
Scope and Contents
This poem celebrates the exploits of Garshāsp, prince of Sistan, and one of the ancestors of Rustam (the celebrated hero in Firdawsī's Shāh-nāmah). It is said to be one of the earliest attempts to imitate Firdawsī.It is usually ascribed to the poet Asadī Ṭusī, the master of Firdawsī, who flourished during the reigns of Sulṭān Maḥmūd and his son Mas'ūd of Ghaznī, and died in that of the latter (421-432 A.H., 1030-1040 C.E.). However, some of the...
Dates:
undated
