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IO Islamic 3540

Record Id:
032-002559808
Hierarchy Root Ancestor Record Id:
032-002559808
MDARK:
ark:/81055/vdc_100023431427.0x000001
LARK:
SLARK:
Format:
ISAD(G)
Reference (shelfmark):
IO Islamic 3540
Title:

Shāhnāmah by Firdawsī

شاهنامه

Scope & Content:

Persian epic poetry

Decorations:

  • Miniature: Folios 1v - 2r: Double-page miniature within a gorgeous illuminated border, of Sulaymān and Queen of Sheba, a large and crowded composition; the execution is meticulous, but the drawing of the faces a trifle weak. Each half (miniature only) Dimensions [written]: 29.5x17.5cm .
  • Miniature: Folio 10r: Bath scene, illustrating the story in the preface of how Firdawsī scornfully gave away to a bath house attendant half the paltry reward Sultan Maḥmūd gave him for writing the Shāhnāmah. Dimensions [written]: 32.5x21.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 17r: Gayumars̲ and his court. Dimensions [written]: 27x21.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 25r: Farīdūn strikes down Ẓaḥḥāk in the palace in the presence of Jamshīd's sisters. Dimensions [written]: 32x21.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 35r: Tūr defeated and killed by Manūchihr. Dimensions [written]: 30x21.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 44r: Zāl embracing Rudābah. Dimensions [written]: 29.5x23cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 54r: The birth of Rustam. Dimensions [written]: 29.5x21.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 71v: Rustam and the White Demon. Dimensions [written]: 30.5x21.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 91r: The death of Suhrāb. Dimensions [written]: 30.5x21.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 98r: The fire-ordeal of Siyāvash. Dimensions [written]: 29.5x20.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 106r: Siyāvash playing polo with Afrāsiyāb. Dimensions [written]: 27x22.5.
  • Miniature: Folio 116r: The murder of Siyāvash. Dimensions [written]: 29.5x25.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 121v: Rustam in battle against Afrāsīyāb. Dimensions [written]: 33.5x27cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 130r: The enthronement of Kay Khusraw. Dimensions [written]: 28x20.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 138v: Persian troops sacking Farūd's castle. Dimensions [written]: 35x25.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 144v: The battle of Mount Hamavan between the armies of Gūdarz and Pīrān. Dimensions [written]: 36x27cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 153r: Ruhām and the Sorcerer. Dimensions [written]: 36x27cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 166r: Combat of Rustam and Ashkābūs. Dimensions [written]: 34.5x28cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 176r: Rustam in battle, after being visited by Pīrān. Dimensions [written]: 33.5x25.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 183r: Rustam attacking the fortress of Kāfūr the man-eater. Dimensions [written]: 36x25.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 195v: Pīrān saves Bīzhan from the gallows. Dimensions [written]: 30x20.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 206r: Rustam's raid on Afrāsīyāb's palace after rescuing Bīzhan. Dimensions [written]: 29.5x21cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 219r: Barzū lassoing Farāmarz. Dimensions [written]: 33.5x22.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 225r: Combat of Rustam and Barzū. Dimensions [written]: 33.5x28cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 238v: Encounter of Afrāsīyāb and Pilsam. Dimensions [written]: 33.5x25.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 242r: Rustam falls in combat with Pilsam. The latter being kicked by Rakhsh. Dimensions [written]: 36x29.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 254v: Human slain by Bīzhan. Dimensions [written]: 36x25.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 262r: Combat of Gīv and Pīran. Dimensions [written]: 32.5x27cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 274r: Rustam leading the Persian army to war with Afrāsīyāb. Dimensions [written]: 34.5x25.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 281v: Kay Khusraw slays Ustuqila the Kurd. Dimensions [written]: 36x28cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 288v: The women of Afrāsīyāb before Kay Khusraw. Dimensions [written]: 30.5x23cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 299r: Execution of Afrāsīyāb by Kay Khusraw. Dimensions [written]: 30.5x22.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folios 307v - 308r: Double-page miniature within a sumptuous illuminated border. The enthronement of Luhrasp. Each half Dimensions [written]: 27x16cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 315r: Gushtasp killing the dragon. Dimensions [written]: 30.5x21cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 324v: Death of Zarīr in battle between Iran and Turan. Dimensions [written]: 34.5x28cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 339v: Isfandiyār's attack on Arjasp in the Brazen Fortress. Dimensions [written]: 34.5x27cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 356r: Rustam shoots Isfandiyār in the eyes. Dimensions [written]: 34.5x24.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 361v: The death of Rustam. Dimensions [written]: 33.5x22.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 373r: Iskandar comforting the dying Dārā. Dimensions [written]: 30.5x24.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 381r: Iskandar visiting the Ka'ba. Dimensions [written]: 35x21.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 390r: Iskandar building the wall against Gog and Magog. Dimensions [written]: 30.5x23cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 401v: Bahram Gūr winning the crown from between the lions. Dimensions [written]: 31.5x21.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 411v: Bahram Gūr hunting. Dimensions [written]: 30.5x23cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 416v: Bahram leading the Khāqān captive. Dimensions [written]: 36.5x27cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 429r: Battle between Pīrūz and Khūshnavāz. Dimensions [written]: 32.5x27cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 441v: Capture of the Roman fortress by Nushirvān. Dimensions [written]: 34.5x22.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 454r: Battle between the Khāqān and the Haytalians. Dimensions [written]: 37x25.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 463v: Introduction of chess at the court of Anushirvān. Dimensions [written]: 34.5x22.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 477v: Anushirvān attacking a moated Roman fortress. Dimensions [written]: 38x21.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 490v: Sāvā Shāh slain by Bahram Chūbīn. Dimensions [written]: 34.5x27cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 502r: The blinding of King Hurmuz and burning of his palace. Dimensions [written]: 34.5x23cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 519r: Khusraw embracing Maryam . Dimensions [written]: 34.5x20.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 528v: Bahram Chūbīn killing the lion-ape. Dimensions [written]: 35x22.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 536v: Khusraw and Gurdīya, sister of Bahram Chūbīn. Dimensions [written]: 34.5x20.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 547v: Shirū'ī sends an envoy to Khusraw. Dimensions [written]: 36x24.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folio 561r: Rustam killed by Sa'ad at the battle of Qadisīya. Dimensions [written]: 34x25.5cm.
  • Miniature: Folios 568v - 569r: Double-page miniature within a sumptuous illuminated border: hunting scene. Upper part of 568v damaged and repaired. Each half Dimensions [written]: 28x17.5cm.
Collection Area:
Oriental Manuscripts
Project / Collection:
India Office Library
Hierarchy Tree:
[{ "id" : "032-002559808", "parent" : "#", "text" : "IO Islamic 3540: Shāhnāmah by Firdawsī شاهنامه" , "li_attr" : {"class": "orderable"} }]
Hierarchy Record Ids:
032-002559808
Is part of:
not applicable
Hierarchy:
032-002559808
Container:
not applicable
Record Type (Level):
Fonds
Extent:
569 folios
Digitised Content:
http://www.bl.uk/manuscripts/FullDisplay.aspx?ref=IO_Islamic_3540 (digital images currently unavailable)
Thumbnail:
Languages:
Persian
Scripts:
Arabic
Start Date:
1500
End Date:
1599
Date Range:
16th century
Era:
CE
Access:

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User Conditions:
Physical Characteristics:

Dimensions [leaf]: 45.7x29.2cm

Illustration: 4 illuminations

Miniature: 57 miniatures

Other: Every chapter-heading very neatly adorned

Script: Exquisite nastaʿlīq

Layout: Each column surrounded by stripes in gold and various colours

Format: Codex.

Material: Chart.

Administrative Context:

Origin: Shiraz (Iran), 16th century

Finding Aids:

For a more detailed catalogue entry see:

Ethé, Hermann, and Edward Edwards. Catalogue of Persian Manuscripts in the Library of the India Office. Oxford: The India Office, 1903: no.2992

Material Type:
Archives and Manuscripts
Legal Status:
Not Public Record(s)
Names:
Bahrām Gūr, King of Iran, 400-438
Firdausi, poet, 940-1019,
   see also http://viaf.org/viaf/101359236
Iskandar
Kaykhusraw I, Sultan of the Seljuks, 1164-1211
Maḥmūd, Sultan of Ghazni, 971-1030
Queen of Sheba
Sulaymān, King of Israel
Subjects:
Epic poetry, Persian