ਆਦਿ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ Ādi Graṇtha, Bikkarmājītī samat 1757 [1701 CE]

The Adi Granth is an early form of Sikh scripture that is honorifically entitled, Guru Granth Sahib. Its versified compositions in accordance with rāg and rāgnī musical modes are attributed largely to Guru Nanak (d. 1539 C.E.) and succeeding gurus ('teacher', the term for Sikh leaders). These were compiled in the definitive recension at the direction of the fifth leader, Guru Arjan (d. 1606). The present manuscript comprises an early enlarged variant recension attributed to Bhai Banno (d. 1645).

The text is mainly in Punjabi along with other South Asian languages, and transcribed in the Gurmukhi script by multiple hands, arranged in a single vertical column with scored lines (25 per page) within rulings in red. A bicolumnar list of contents has been added at the beginning, partially covered with pointed swastika marks in a pale paste. Corrections and erasures throughout, often using varkīā hartāl (orpiment). Occasional repairs to the main text using paper patches. Foliated in Punjabi.

1) Bound undated note by an unnamed author on University of Edinburgh stationary, probably written before 1852, mentioning the volume’s acquisition by Sir John Spencer Login, M. D. (surgeon and the East India Company’s Governor of Lahore, d. 1863), and deposit in the University of Edinburgh’s Library through the mediation of Reverend William Hope Meiklejohn, D. D., formerly of Calcutta [Kolkata] (d. 1851):

This Copy of the “Adh Granth” (the Sacred Book of the Sikhs) was formerly in the possession of the family of His Highness Maharajah Kurruck [Kharak] Singh ruler of the Punjab. And was found in the fort of Kullahawalah [Kalalwala?] in the Punjab on its capture in 1848. And presented to the University [of Edinburgh] by Sir John Spencer Login M. D. through the Edinburgh resident, Rev[eren]d W. H. Meiklejohn D. D. of Calcutta.

2) Bound letter of reply from Edwin Norris (linguist, d. 1872), then Assistant Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society (5 New Burlington St, London), sent at the direction of Captain M Chapman (Indian Navy), addressed to Charles James Ford Imlach (surgeon and soldier in East India Company forces, d. 1858), dated 6 August 1852:

Sir (J Imalch [Imlach]), I have received from Capt[ain] Chapman a few lines in an Indian Character, which he says he received from you. Capt. Chapman wished me to give you any information on to the book from which the lines were taken. The book must be a copy of the Adi Granth, the sacred book of the Sikhs: the language is the Sikh, and the character the Gurumukhi. The book ought to be a large thick quarto, four inches thick at least if complete. I have myself a copy which I thought was the only one in England. The Adi Granth, and another work called the Dasama Padsha-ka Granth form the Scriptures of the Sikhs. An account of the two works may be read in the XIth volume of the Asiatic Researches. I am your […] servant, Edwin Norris.

3) Loose paper note, undated, by an unnamed author:

Extract from the 11th vol of the Asiatic Researches relative to the Adi Grant’h. The Adi Grant’h, the whole of the first part of which is ascribed to Nánac, is written like the rest of the books of the Sikhs, in the Gúrúmuk’h Character. I can only judge very imperfectly of the value of this Work, but some extracts, translated from it, appear worthy of that admiration which is bestowed upon it by the Sikhs. The Adi Grant’h is in verse, and many of the Chapters, written by Nanac are termed Sidi, which means literally a ladder, or flight of steps, and metaphorically that by which a man ascends…