Or Ms 94: تحفة الملوک Tuḥfat al-Mulūk, undated copy (original text composed 11th cent. C.E.)
Scope and Contents
The work is a short treatise intended for the instruction of princes and rulers, and consists of forty chapters, each containing four different pieces of advice. The author, whose name in this instance is not mentioned, was 'Abd-allāh Muḥammad al-Anṣarī of Herat (d. 481 A.H., 1088 C.E.). From the preface it would appear that the work is a compilation of the wise sayings of old philosophers and statesmen.
Dates
- Creation: undated copy (original text composed 11th cent. C.E.)
Language of Materials
Persian (Script: nasta'līq)
Physical Description
Gold sprinkled paper
Conditions Governing Access
Open. Please contact the repository in advance.
Extent
1 volume
Other Finding Aids
Hukk, Mohammed Ashraful; Ethé, Hermann; and Robertson, Edward, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Arabic and Persian Manuscripts in Edinburgh University Library (Hertford: Stephen Austin & Sons Ltd., 1925).
Custodial History
This MS. was transcribed for Colonel John Baillie by the royal caligrapher Muḥammad Sa'd al-Dīn of Lucknow. At the end there is a beautiful qiṭ'ah or quatrain, transcribed by the same hand, in praise of Colonel John Baillie, and complimenting him upon the three titles, " Arslān Jang, 'Imād al-Dawlah, and Afz̤al al-Mulk," received by him, 1223 A.H. (1804 C.E.), from the Mughal Emperor Akbar II.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated to the University of Edinburgh Library by Lieutenant-Colonel John Baillie of Leys' grandson, also named John Baillie, in 1876.
Physical Description
Gold sprinkled paper
Processing Information
Annotation uses legacy data from Mohammed Hukk et al. A Descriptive Catalogue of the Arabic and Persian Manuscripts in Edinburgh University Library.
Source
- Baillie, John, of Leys, 1772-1833 (Member of Parliament, and East India Company Official) (Former owner, Person)
- Baillie, Anne, 1809-1847 (Former owner of manuscripts) (Former owner, Person)
- Baillie, John Baillie, of Leys, 1835-1890 (donor of the Oriental Manuscripts Collection) (Donor, Person)
Repository Details
Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
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Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379
heritagecollections@ed.ac.uk