Author
Siraj al-Din Abu Hafs 'Umar ibn al-Wardi
Publication Date
16th century (CE, Gregorian)
Subject
1
Type
Book
Language
Arabic
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
Yes
Pages Count
1
Physical Dimensions
208 x 147 mm
Library
Qatar Digital Library
Library Asset ID
IO Islamic 1734
Record ID
vdc_100093647487.0x000001
Library Location
British Library: Oriental Manuscripts
Date
16th century (CE, Gregorian)
Notes
A work of cosmography, natural history and eschatology focused on Egypt, compiled by Sirāj al-Dīn Abū Ḥafṣ ʻUmar ibn al-Wardī (Sirāj al-Dīn Abū Ḥafṣ ʻUmar ibn al-Wardī (Sirāj al-Dīn Abū Ḥafṣ ʻUmar ibn al-Wardī, d. 1457), sometimes mistakenly attributed to the earlier poet and historian Zayn al-Dīn ʻUmar ibn al-Muẓaffar ibn al-Wardī (Zain al-Din Umar ibn al-Muzaffar ibn al-Wardī, d. 1349).
The text is largely drawn from two works:
Jāmiʿ al-funūn wa-salwat al-maḥzūn
(Jami’ al-Funun wa Salwa al-Mahzun) by Najm al-Dīn al-Ḥarrānī (Najm al-Din al-Harrani, active c. 1332), and
Kitāb badʼ al-khalq wa-al-taʼrīkh
(The Book of the Beginning of Creation and History) by Muṭahhar ibn Ṭāhir al-Maqdisī (Mutahhar ibn Tahir al-Maqdisi, active c. 966).
The present copy lacks the first folio, beginning near the end of the preface (see f. 3r, lines 1-5, transcribed below). A replacement first folio does not bear the missing text, but rather a description of the geography, history and political administration of the Sultanate of Khāndīs (Khandesh), a Deccani sultanate annexed in 1601 by the Mughal Emperor Akbar (1542-1605).
A contents table on f. 16r lists fifteen sections (chapters) followed by a conclusion (conclusion). The manuscript contains two paintings: a world map in green, yellow, red and black on ff. 4v-5r, and a representation of the Kaʻbah indicating the direction of prayer from different cities on f. 59r.
The text is followed by two short sections 'On the computation of the victor and the vanquished' along with a table (ff. 272r- 272v); and verses on the subject of chess (Chapter on the subject of chess; ff. 272v-273v). The copy is apparently also missing its final folios as the text breaks off abruptly and there is no
colophon
Section at the end of a manuscript text.
.
Begins (f. 3r, lines 1-5):
...He said: The easts and wests of the earth have been revealed to me
Knowing his secret and his eyes, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him and his family and companions
And his supporters and helpers are a prayer that brings those who believe in him to the ultimate level of security
His security and magnificence reside in both worlds with God’s pardon and forgiveness
Thank you very much...
Ends (f. 273v, lines 16-17):
If you see that victory is upon you, do not fall short and be careful not to perish...
The weakest of the opponent's forces, for his weakness is physical, and if he suffers for a long time, he will die...
Erişim Koşulları
Unrestricted
Bulma Yardımcıları
Loth, Otto,
A Catalogue of the Arabic Manuscripts in the Library of the
India Office
The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors.
(London: Printed by order of the Secretary of State for India in Council, 1877), Item 726, p. 210.
Edinme Kaynağı
From the library of Richard Johnson (1753-1807), incorporated into the collection of the East India House in 1807.
Köken
Richard Johnson (رچارد جانسن, d. 1807, East India Company Resident in Hyderabad 1784-5): his inscription in Persian, without date but after 1780 (f. 1r);
Muḥammad Hādī Husaynī, 'follower of Pādishāh ʻĀlamgīr' (محمد هادي حسيني مريد پادشاه عالم گير): his seal dated both 1090/1679-80 and 22, the corresponding regnal year of Aurangzeb, regnal title Alamgīr (عالم گير), above it a purchase inscription for 15
rupees
Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf.
, dated 1103/1717-18 (f. 3r);
Muḥammad Nafī (محمد نفي): his seal and ownership inscription with date '4' (f. 273v).
Seçilmiş kaynakça
Editions:
Ibn al-Wardī, Sirāj al-Dīn ʻUmar ibn al-Muẓaffar,
Kharīdat al-ʻajāʼib wa-farīdat al-gharāʼib
, ed. by Ḥamāh Allāh Wuld al-Sālim (Bayrūt: Dār al-Kutub al-ʻIlmīyah, 2014)
Ibn al-Wardī, Sirāj al-Dīn ʻUmar ibn al-Muẓaffar,
Kharīdat al-ʻajāʼib wa-farīdat al-gharāʼib
, ed. by Zanātī, Anwar Maḥmūd (al-Qāhirah: Maktabat al-thaqāfah al-dīnīyah, 2008)
Ibn al-Wardī, Sirāj al-Dīn ʻUmar ibn al-Muẓaffar,
Kharīdat al-ʻajāʼib wa-farīdat al-gharāʼib
, ed. by Fākhūrī, Maḥmūd (Ḥalab: Dār al-Sharq al-ʻArabī, 1991)
Latin translation of the section on Egypt:
Fraehn, C. M.,
Aegyptus auctore Ibn al Vardi
(Halle: Hendelius, 1804)
Study:
Coşkun, Feray, 'An Ottoman Preacher's Perception of a Medieval Cosmography: Maḥmūd al-Haṭīb's Translation of Kharīdat al-ʿAjāʾib wa Farīḍat al-Gharāʾib',
Al-Masāq
, 23, 1 (2011), pp. 53-66.
