ਆਦਿ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ Ādi Graṇtha, Undated
Scope and Contents
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. These were compiled in the definitive recension at the direction of the fifth leader, Guru Arjan (d. 1606). The present manuscript comprises the enlarged variant ‘Damdama’ recension associated with the patronage of Guru Gobind Singh (d. 1708 CE).
The undated manuscript probably dates to the late eighteenth century.
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 (23 per page) within rulings in red. A bicolumnar list of contents has been added at the beginning, partially covered with swastika marks in a pale brownish paste that follow onto the cropped margins of the main text. Corrections and erasures throughout, often using varkīā hartāl (orpiment). Foliated in Punjabi.
The volume has been rebound in a local style with tooled and (much rubbed) gilt paper medallions and bands over brown leather covers with a fore-edge flap on the right side. Damaged, with some folios detaching. Associated correspondence and notes bound or tipped in. These include:
1) An unbound envelope edged with black ‘mourning’ bands, addressed to ‘The Rev[eren]d H. B. Burney’. An additional note in pencil has been added above on the subject of the letter described as, ‘Re the Grunth (Sikh Bible)’.
2) Bound bifolio letter on paper stationary edged with black ‘mourning’ bands and an embossed seal in the top left corner. Written by S. C. Hackey (?), addressed to Reverend H. B. Burney, dated 17 October 1850.
This volume is presently undergoing conservation treatment. Please check with library staff before visiting.
Dates
- Creation: Undated
Conditions Governing Access
Open. Please contact the repository in advance.
Full Extent
1 volume manuscript volume
Language of Materials
Panjabi; Punjabi
English
Topical
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