Mughal Manuscript Pages

Detailed text pages from Mughal India featuring ink and gold designs. Artistic handwriting and aged paper reflect the rich literary tradition of the period from 1560 to 1602.

Text page from a Mirror of Holiness (Mirat al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier, 1602. Mughal India, Allahabad, made for Prince Salim (1569-1627). Ink and gold on paper;
Text page from a Mirror of Holiness (Mirat al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier, 1602. Mughal India, Allahabad, made for Prince Salim (1569-1627). Ink and gold on paper;
263 assets in this story
4409-17486263
Sheet of the Bustan de Saadi. Date/Period: 1560/1570. Width: 16.8 cm. Height: 27.5 cm (Complete). Author: UNKNOWN.
1899-18713347
This manuscript of Persian poems is written in nastaliq script. The page-borders represent birds and animals in various colours outlined in gold. The manuscript was produced in 1604 by Shah Qasim and is a copy of the original collection of poetry by Khaqani, Afzal al-Din Shirvani from the end of the 12th century.
4443-75466482
Tasrîh-i Mansûrî, fol. 42v, 1675 (Questionable), Persia, Manuscripts, Persian, Anatomy, Early works to 1800
6145-51835101
Folio of Poetry From the Divan of Sultan Husayn Mirza Attributed to Sultan 'Ali Mashhadi (Persian, 1442-1519). Folio of Poetry From the Divan of Sultan Husayn Mirza, ca. 1490. Ink, opaque watercolors, and gold on indigo blue ground, with découpage and gold-flecked border, 8 7/8 x 5 1/4 in. (22.5 x 13.3 cm). The most highly revered artistic form in the Islamic world is calligraphy. The high regard for it stems from the great significance of the word in Islam, specifically from the central importance of the Qur'an, which for Muslims is the direct word of God revealed to mankind. From the earliest times, calligraphers in the Islamic world strove to create beautiful forms, and this often led to great inventiveness in displaying the art of the word. This page is from one of the best-known compendia of calligraphed verses from the medieval Islamic world: the Diwan (Anthology) of poems by the Timurid prince Sultan-Husayn Bayqara of Khorasan (northeastern Iran and Afghanistan, reigned 1470-15
6145-55950748
Mouse (fârah) top; Two other species of mouse bottom, f. 367v. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian
4409-17381955
"Bahram Gur Hunting with Azada", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings). Author: Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020). Dimensions: Painting: H. 3 3/16 in. (8.1 cm) W. 6 in. (15.2 cm)Page: H. 11 1/2 in. (29.2 cm) W. 8 5/16 in. (21.1 cm)Mat: H. 19 1/4 in. (48.9 cm) W. 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm). Date: 1352.The Shahnama manuscript from which this folio comes includes a page dated to the year 1352, making it the last known Injuid-period (1325-53) manuscript. The style of the painting in this manuscript is similar to that of an Injuid Shahnama dated 1341. This folio illustrates the hero Bahram Gur hunting with his companion and harp-player Azada. In the Shahnama version of this tale, Azada is trampled under the feet of Bahram Gur's camel for her impudence, as depicted here. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.
6145-55942346
Qisas al-Anbiyâ, fol. 9. 1577. text. Manuscripts. Spencer Collection
1899-18852219
Timbuktu Manuscripts is an umbrella term for what were a large number of manuscripts (estimates range in the hundreds of thousands) which had been preserved by private households in Timbuktu (and some other locations), Mali. A large portion of the manuscripts had to do with art, medicine, science, and calligraphy of the late Abbasid Caliphate, and even multiple priceless old copies of the Quran. The majority of manuscripts were written in Arabic, but some were also in local languages, including Songhay and Tamasheq. The dates of the manuscripts ranged between the late 13th and the early 20th centuries (i.e., from the Islamisation of the Mali Empire until the decline of traditional education in French Sudan). Their subject matter ranged from scholarly works to short letters. The manuscripts were passed down in Timbuktu families and were mostly in poor condition. Most of the manuscripts remain unstudied and uncatalogued, and their total number is unknown, amenable only to rough estimates
1788-33496
Ghengis Khan, illuminated page from the Universal History, Turkey 18th Century.
6145-55950548
Jasmine (yâsamîn), f. 179v. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian
6145-51818726
Manuscript of Al-Amulnasrah, a manual on reading the Qur'an according to the teachings of al-Basrah Ibn al-Qasim. Manuscript of Al-Amulnasrah, a manual on reading the Qur'an according to the teachings of al-Basrah, 1701-1702. Ink and colors on paper, bound manuscript , Page: 5 7/8 x 8 1/16 in. (15 x 20.4 cm). Arts of the Islamic World 1701-1702
6145-29742116
"Caesar Makes a Talisman", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) ca. 1330-40 Abu'l Qasim Firdausi. "Caesar Makes a Talisman", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) 454877
6145-29139816
Page of Calligraphy with Stenciled and Painted Borders from a Subhat al-Abrar (Rosary of the Devout) of Jami text, ca. 1500; borders, first quarter 17th century Maulana Nur al-Din `Abd al-Rahman Jami According to the manuscripts title page, the main text of this folio is from the Panj Ganj (The Five Treasures) of Jami. The calligrapher Sultan ?Ali Mashhadi completed the text, including both the main section and the diagonal writing, in the late fifteenth or early sixteenth century, but the border of this work and the three small paintings of holy men were added at a later date. The complete folio was originally owned by ?Abd al-Rahim, a military commander who served under the Mughal emperors Akbar and Jahangir. When it entered the collection of Jahangir in 1624-25, the book was valued at 1,000 ashrafis, or 10,000 rupees, making it one of the most valuable works of the imperial library at the time.. Page of Calligraphy with Stenciled and Painted Borders from a Subhat al-Abrar (Rosary o
4443-75460994
Candian savory, goat's origanum (Satureia thymbra), saghtar !, fol. 134v, Mîrzâ Bâqir (fl. 19th c.), 1889 - 1890, Tehran or Mashhad, 19.5 x 11 cm
6145-29090105
Page from a Panj Ganj of Abd al-Rahman Jami (Persian, 1414-1492), with two Persian masnavis: Yusuf va Zulaykha (Joseph and Zulaykha) and Khirad-nama-i Iskandari (verso), 1603-1607. Mushfiq (Indian), and others (Indian). Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper, double-sided with text on verso; text area: 17.8 x 9.5 cm (7 x 3 3/4 in.); page: 31.6 x 20.4 cm (12 7/16 x 8 1/16 in.). This section of text from Jamis poem of Joseph and Zulaykha, written diagonally in the margins, describes the beauties of Zulaykhas house, in which she intends to seduce Joseph. It includes the following verses: Jeweled lamps on the walls were hung; And odorous herbs were beneath them flung. She gathered together all things most fair, And unrolled the carpet of pleasure there. But amid the charms of the sumptuous hall She longed only for Joseph, far dearer than all. A heavenly palace is dark and dim To a lover whose darling is far from him. The longing of Zulaykha for Joseph metaphorically describes an imper
6145-55950418
Taurus (al-Saur), f. 29. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian
6145-55942302
Qisas al-Anbiyâ, fol. 35v. 1577. text. Manuscripts. Spencer Collection
6145-55950519
Peach tree (khaukh), f. 161v. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian
6145-51819858
Manuscript Manuscript, 17th century. Ink on paper, 8 x 12 3/4 in. (20.3 x 32.4 cm). Arts of the Islamic World 17th century
6145-29081966
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Ink and gold on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.).
6145-29064032
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Ink and gold on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.).
6145-45398632
Arabic Manuscript, Illustrated with Miniatures of Various Formats unknown
6145-55950516
Wild fig tree (jamîz), f. 160. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian
6145-51835956
Folios from an Illustrated Manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi Folios from an Illustrated Manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi, late 17th century. Ink, opaque watercolor on paper, Text: 10 5/8 x 5 7/8 in. (27 x 15 cm). Arts of the Islamic World late 17th century
6145-55950562
The herb alkali, or saltwort (huruz) Misspeled - hurus top; Lotus clover (handqûq) bottom, f. 188v. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian
4443-75465825
Materia medica. Arabic, fol. 262v, Mîrzâ Bâqir (fl. 19th c.), 1889 - 1890, Tehran or Mashhad
4443-75464842
Materia medica. Arabic, fol. 17v, Mîrzâ Bâqir (fl. 19th c.), 1889 - 1890, Tehran or Mashhad
4443-75463199
The illustration features two varieties of an unknown plant, labeled antirrînûn n.p. (Gr. antirrhinon), corresponding to snapdragon (Antirrhinum orontium) at the top. Below, there are additional plants Plantain (Plantago sp.), labeled qâtânânqî, with Bird's Foot shown in the bottom right corner and another unknown plant in the bottom left corner. The image is found on fol. 221v by Mîrzâ Bâqir (fl. 19th c.). The date of creation is 1889 - 1890, possibly in Tehran or Mashhad. The dimensions of the images are as follows top image measures 17.1 x 13.1 cm; bottom right image measures 16 x 13.1 cm; bottom left image measures 15.5 x 9.3 cm
4443-75469188
Qisas al-Anbiyâ, fol. 128v, 1580, Qazvin
6145-29070116
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page (blank), c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Ink on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.).
6145-55950660
An Arab who has gone to find his slave sees four people arguing about who is the best poet, f. 308. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian
6145-51817696
Two Leaves of a History of Joseph Manuscript Two Leaves of a History of Joseph Manuscript, 17th century. Ink and gold on paper, 6 15/16 x 11 1/4 in. (17.6 x 28.6 cm). Arts of the Islamic World 17th century
6145-51818335
Akrura Speaks to the Cowherds, Page from an Unidentified Hindu Manuscript Indian. Akrura Speaks to the Cowherds, Page from an Unidentified Hindu Manuscript, 19th century. Opaque watercolor and gold on paper, sheet: 12 7/8 x 8 in. (32.7 x 20.3 cm). Asian Art 19th century
1899-18718844
Letter of Guyuk Khan of the Ilkhanate to Pope Innocent IV, persian version, brought to Europe by John de Carpini. Ink on paper, dated 11 November 1246. Guyuk's enthronement on 24 August 1246, near the Mongol capital at Karakorum, was attended by the Franciscan friar and envoy of protested Mongol attacks on Catholic kingdoms of Europe, Guyug stated that these people had slain Mongol envoys in the time of Genghis Khan and Ogedei Khan. He also claimed that 'from the rising of the sun to its setting, all the lands have been made subject to the Great Khan', proclaiming an explicit ideology of world conquest. The Khagan wrote a letter to Pope Innocent IV on the relations between the Church and the Mongols. 'You must say with a sincere heart: 'We will be your subjects; we will give you our strength'. You must in person come with your kings, all together, without exception, to render us service and pay us homage. Only then will we acknowledge your submission. And if you do not follow the order
1889-60415046
Illustration of plant varieties using for medicinal purposes in the 1st century AD
6145-55950458
There is a minaret on the Island of Manârah made of stone from which is suspended an effigy of a hanging man made of gold top; Nine of the 130 species of birds that inhabit the island of Bilîs as described by Abû Hâmîd Andalusî bottom, f. 93. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian
6145-51818276
Book of Adages Book of Adages, late 18th century. Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper; leather binding, 10 x 6 7/8 in. (25.4 x 17.5 cm). Arts of the Islamic World late 18th century
6145-45398637
Arabic Manuscript, Illustrated with Miniatures of Various Formats unknown
6145-51828036
Amr, Disguised as Mazmahil the Surgeon, Practices Quackery on the Sorcerers of Antali Attributed to Dasavanta. Amr, Disguised as Mazmahil the Surgeon, Practices Quackery on the Sorcerers of Antali, ca. 1570. Opaque watercolor and gold on cotton, mounted on paper, 31 x 25 in. (78.7 x 63.5cm). When the Mughal emperors conquered northern India, they brought with them a taste for Persian aesthetics. Early in their reign, the Mughals brought Persian artists from Iran to teach painting techniques and styles to artists in India. The product of this bicultural painting workshop looks very different from both Persian and indigenous Indian painting, in part because the artists were looking at European art as well. This is a folio from the oversized manuscript known as the Qissa-i Amir Hamza, or Hamza-Nama, one of the most ambitious projects completed by the imperial painting workshop under the Mughal emperor Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). All of the paintings are on cloth, with Persian text written
6145-29085729
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Ink on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.).
4443-75461285
Eglantine rose (Rosa eglanteria), al-ward al-abyad. Two bushes are depicted, one featuring very pale coloring and pink flowers. The heading for this entry has been omitted., 1889 - 1890, Tehran or Mashhad., Two images on one page, measuring 12.7 x 10.5 cm on the right and 13.5 x 10.5 cm on the left
1746-19701246
This is the colophon of a copy, written in a North African Maghribi script, of the treatise on chemical medicine titled Ghyat al-itqn f tadbr badan al-insn by Ibn Sallm (d. 1670/1081). The copy is dated 1 Jumadá II 1241 (= 11 January 1826) and the copyist's name (partially illegible) is given as Muammad ibn Muammad al-Af.... al-anaf.
6145-29711064
Calligraphic Papyrus Fragments dated A.H. 288/A.D. 901 This is the recto of the Arabic papyrus 1978.348.1a. It contains another two daman (guarantee), which are related to the one on the verso. These three documents are complete and related, as each refers to the same family members and witnesses. They also share handwriting in the naskhi script.. Calligraphic Papyrus Fragments 452851
6145-51818277
Book of Adages Book of Adages, late 18th century. Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper; leather binding, 10 x 6 7/8 in. (25.4 x 17.5 cm). Arts of the Islamic World late 18th century
6145-29083266
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page (blank), c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Ink on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.).
1746-19701290
The colophon of a copy of Dastr al-‘iljj (The Rule Book for Therapy) which was composed in Samarqand over a number of years beginning in 1526/933 by Suln ‘Al Khursn. This copy was produced in 1816/1232.
6145-51835140
Bound Manuscript of the Khamsa of Nizami Nizami. Bound Manuscript of the Khamsa of Nizami, late 16th century. Ink, opaque watercolor, pasteboard, leather, gold on paper, 8 1/4 x 13 3/8 in. (21 x 34 cm). Arts of the Islamic World late 16th century
6145-29083840
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Ink and gold on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.).
6145-55950470
Mount Abû Qubays, near Mecca top; Mount Aulistân, near Erzurum middle; Mount Alvand, near Hamadân bottom, f. 107. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian
4443-75472601
Small Caltrops, Maltese Cross; Waterchestnut (Tribulus terrestris; Trapa natans), trîbûlus n.p. Two varieties are shown, fol. 182v, Mîrzâ Bâqir (fl. 19th c.)., 1889 - 1890, Tehran or Mashhad, 20 x 13.3 cm right; 18.4 x 14.4 cm left
6145-51817282
Double Page from a Manuscript of the Tuhfat al-Iraqain by al-Khaqani (c. 1127-1186/7 or 1189) Double Page from a Manuscript of the Tuhfat al-Iraqain by al-Khaqani (c. 1127-1186/7 or 1189), 17th century. Ink and gold on paper, 6 7/8 x 11 3/16 in. (17.5 x 28.4 cm). Arts of the Islamic World 17th century
6145-59274502
Five Coldered Texts, Anonymous, 1900 - 1950 drawing. Indian miniature. calligraphy Five calligraphy texts in clouds white on gold -colored surface. The top with text is placed in a frame of discolored ivory-colored paper with a gold decorative motif of flower vines and stuck on a wider decorative edge that covers the entire leaf of dark green with stylized leaf and floral motifs in gold and light green. A narrow discolored ivory -colored edge has been spread around the outer edge that is sprinkled with unclear gold patterns. Deccan paper brush
6145-51817462
Book binding Book binding, mid-19th century. Lacquer, paper mache, 4 3/4 x 8 1/8 in. (12.1 x 20.6 cm). Arts of the Islamic World mid-19th century
4443-75469107
Orache, wools safflower (Atriplex hortensis, Sprengel; Carthamus lanatus) at the top; Field mint (Mentha arvensis) at the bottom. Folio 155, Mîrzâ Bâqir (fl. 19th c.)., 1889 - 1890., Tehran or Mashhad, Two images on one page. 20.5 x 14.2 cm (top); 23.5 x 14.2 cm (bottom)
6145-51818192
Two Leaves of Manuscript Two Leaves of Manuscript, 17th century. Calligraphy, Page: 6 x 9 3/4 in. (15.2 x 24.8 cm). Arts of the Islamic World 17th century
6145-51819479
Persian Book Persian Book, 1274 AH / 1857-1858 C.E. Red leather, 8 1/4 x 6 in. (21 x 15.2 cm). Arts of the Islamic World 1274 AH / 1857-1858 C.E.
1899-18792810
Abu Yahya Zakariya' ibn Muhammad al-Qazwini ( ) (born 1203 - died 1283), was a Persian physician, astronomer, geographer and proto-science fiction writer. Born in the Persian town of Qazvin, he was descended from Anas ibn Malik, Zakariya' ibn Muhammad al-Qazwini served as legal expert and judge (qadhi) in several localities in Persia and at Baghdad. He travelled around in Mesopotamia and Syria, and finally entered the circle patronized by the governor of Baghdad, ‘Ata-Malik Juwayni (d. 1283 CE). It was to the latter that al-Qazwini dedicated his famous Arabic-language cosmography titled 'Aja'ib al-makhluqat wa-ghara'ib al-mawjudat ('Marvels of Creatures and Strange Things Existing'). This treatise, frequently illustrated, was immensely popular and is preserved today in many copies. It was translated into Persian and Turkish. Qazwini was also well-known for his geographical dictionary, Athar al-bilad wa-akhbar al-‘ibad
1746-29018004
The Ballad of the Makassar War written in Malay. Dated 18th Century
6145-30097547
Fanochen.Drawing from the manuscript of the VOC servant Adrianus Canter Visscher with in the back of twenty-egypt Indian miniatures and two cards of places on the Coromandel coast. The text consists of two parts: a history of the Mogolrijk and the VOC branches on the Coromandel coast; This is followed by advice to the men's XVII about the economic situation of the VOC in the Coromandel.
1848-49634019
Beautiful examples of the Ottoman Calligraphy art
6188-64586243
8 Annas Mid 20th century Republic India Issued by a Mosque Copyright: xDilipxRajgor/DinodiaxPhotox
4409-17287302
CARTEL CONTANDO LA DONACION DE LA CIUDAD DE FEZ A LA CIUDAD DE RABAT PARA CONSTRUIR LA MEZQUITA. Location: MEZQUITA REAL. RABAT.
1848-53795998
Information board with Koranic verses in the Sidi Sayed Mosque, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, Asia