Or Ms 464: تواریخ سورتهه Tawārīkh-i Sūrathi, 1253 A.H., 1838 C.E.
Scope and Contents
A history of the city of Surat, in the west Indian state of Gujarat, with appendices about its vicinities like Bhimnagar. The author, Ranchhūrjī Walad-i Amrjī Dīvān, deliberately mentions he had tried to exclude everything written in previous works about the kings of Hind and Gujarat, and instead has focused on the county, relying on oral and local narrations of the region.
It was originally written for James Erskine. This may be John James Erskine (1771-1833), a member of the governing council in Penang from 1810-26 C.E..
The name of Surat appears as Sūrat, Sūrathe, and Sūrathī in different parts of the text. The Sanskrit form of the names have been written on top, underneath, or on the margins of their Persian transliteration.
The main text is in black ink with titles are in red. There are variations in the calligraphy through the manuscript, the hand appears consistent but the pen to differ.
Dates
- Creation: 1253 A.H.
- Creation: 1838 C.E.
Creator
- Walad-i Amrjī Dīvān, Ranchhūrjī (Author, Person)
Language of Materials
Persian (Script: nasta'līq)
Physical Description
In what appears to be its original envelope-style binding, red leather, with ivory onlays and some gold/yellow decoration to both frame and onlays. 122 folios, three flyleaves, three endleaves. Dimensions 287 by 146 mm, 15 lines per page. Area covered by the text, 230 by 95 mm.
Conditions Governing Access
Open. Please contact the repository in advance.
Extent
1 volume
Custodial History
Belonged to the Carberry Tower Library.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased (via Rankine) at Dowell's sale of the Carberry Tower Library, 20-21 July 1961, lot 280 (23 volumes, £52).
Physical Description
In what appears to be its original envelope-style binding, red leather, with ivory onlays and some gold/yellow decoration to both frame and onlays. 122 folios, three flyleaves, three endleaves. Dimensions 287 by 146 mm, 15 lines per page. Area covered by the text, 230 by 95 mm.
Creator
- Walad-i Amrjī Dīvān, Ranchhūrjī (Author, Person)
Repository Details
Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379
heritagecollections@ed.ac.uk