Or 16275

This volume contains a mesnevi in Chagatai on the narrative of Yusuf (the Prophet Joseph) and Züleyha (Arabic: Zulaykha), adapted from Abdurrahman Cami’s (died 898 AH/1492 CE) famous Persian poem of the same name. The author has not been identified, nor have any other recorded copies been traced. He was evidently a skilled and erudite poet. It is possible that the date of composition was 902 AH/1496-7 CE, judging by the fragmentary text of the last few lines.

The text contained in the present manuscript is to be distinguished from the ninth century AH/fifteenth century CE Yusuf ve Züleyha, which consists of 2726 couplets and possibly composed by Hamidi. In contrast, the present version is nearly twice as long and in an altogether different metre, Hazaj-i musaddas-i mahzuf. The poet opens with a münacat addressed to God, followed by passages in praise of God and the Prophet. The poet then proceeds immediately to Züleyha’s first sight of Yusuf.

Begins:

Ilahi ayla gil bana gözümni * öz ahvalimga qıl dana özumniChu qıldıng lutf itip gözümni bana * özümni özünga qılghıl shinas

Ends:

.... * toquz yüz-daghi iling iki irdi.... * ...rivayat-din ada bolsa hikayat.... * ...adini sahayif-din faraham...qılma mahjur * ...ma‘mur

The copy features an illuminated serlevha (f 1v-2r). Five miniature paintings, with some wear, staining, and pigment loss, and in one case slightly retouched, can be found on f 26r, 95v, 108v, 127v, and 143v. The style of the miniatures indicates that they are contemporary with the rest of the manuscript. Other contents include scribbles on 1r and a poem from the Divan of Nevai between 1v and 2r.

The copy is from Transoxania (Samarkand or Bukhara), and is likely from the tenth or eleventh century AH/ sixteenth or seventeenth century CE.