Khalid I Guide of Persian Manuscripts

A Guide to Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and Urdu Manuscript Libraries in India Omar Khalidi Aga Khan Program for
Islamic Architecture Massachusetts Institute of Technology Introduction scholars of Islamic studies think of manuscripts in Arabic W hen and related languages, they almost invariably turn to the great library holdings in the Middle East and Europe, forgetting that there are huge collections elsewhere, for example in India. It is estimated that in 2003, India possesses nearly one hundred thousand manuscripts in Arabic script spread over a number of libraries in various parts of the country. This number is in addition to what may be available in undocumented private collections. The Indian collections are renowned for the importance of many individual items, from some of the nest calligraphic and illustrated manuscripts of the Qur an to autograph and other high-quality copies of major legal, literary, scientic, and historial works. Manuscripts produced in India but taken away illegally to Europe is another category altogether. Should various cultural properties of Indian Islamic origin found in foreign countries ever be returned to their place of origin, pre eminence of many European museums and libraries would be diminished. For instance, most of the Arabic and Persian, and Urdu collections in the British Library are of Indian origin.1 Similar is the case with Persian manuscripts in Frances Biblioth` eque nationale.2 Poet philosopher Allama Iqbal lamented the theft of Indian books in European libraries in a memorable couplet:
Ursula Sims-Williams, The Arabic and Persian Collections in the India Oce Library, pp. 4752, in Collections in British Libraries on Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies , Durham, U.K., 1981. 2 Francis Richard, Les manuscripts persans dorigine indienne a la Biblioth` eque Nationale, Revue del Biblioth` eque nationale 19 (1986): 3045. See also by the same author, Jean-Baptiste Gentil collectionneur de manuscrits persans, Dix-Huiti` eme Si` ecle 28 (1996): 91110, regarding another major Indian collection in Paris.
MELA Notes 7576 (Fall 2002Spring 2003)

Those pearls of wisdom, books of our race Seeing them overseas makes my heart ache
As recently as 1997, 750 volumes of Ismaili manuscripts of Indian origin were transferred to the Institute of Ismaili Studies.3 The manuscripts discussed in this essay do not include state papers available in Persian and Urdu in various state archives in the country. According to Indias Minister for Human Resource Development Murli Manohar Joshi, an estimated 30 million manuscripts are scattered all over the nation.4 A majority of manuscripts are in Persian, followed by Arabic and Urdu. A smaller number of the manuscripts are in Pushto, Sindhi and Turkish. Present Conditions Like libraries everywhere, public and private funds needed to build, safeguard and preserve book and manuscript collections in India are in short supply, leading to stagnation, thefts and deterioration of existing collections. According to one American scholar who used several Indian libraries:
Let me also record here my sense of tragedy at what is occuring through widespread neglect of Indian libraries. I would not be surprised if many of the manuscripts I mention below are soon unavailable because of the rapid deterioration of resources that is taking place. The present political problems of the subcontinent make the situation much worse than it was in the past, when the climate was always an enemy of books (never before in studying manuscripts have I been so annoyed by wormholes and disintegrating pages). Most of the libraries I visited are directed by well-meaning people, but the resources for long-term preservation are often not available. I heard of several important libraries that have been or recently become inaccessible. Recent res in two of these libraries, one of which was caused by communal violence and the other simply by neglect, destroyed many manuscripts that may well have been irreplaceable. 5
Arabic Ismaili Manuscripts: The Zahid Ali Collection , ed. Delia Cortese (London: I.B. Tauris/Institute of Ismaili Studies, 2003) 4 30 Million Manuscripts Lying Scattered, Milli Gazette 115 (January 2000): 5. 5 William Chittick, Notes on Ibn Arabis Inuence in the Subcontinent, The Muslim World 82, 34 (July-October 1992): 222.
Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India Published Catalogs and Lists
Given that many of the present libraries were founded during the British colonial period, many are called oriental, for example, the Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library. To date I am unaware of a union catalog of manuscripts available in various libraries in India. Individual libraries have published their catalogs. Oddly, most catalogs for Arabic script manuscripts have been published and continue to be published in English transliteration, not in Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and Urdu. Given that each library and cataloger has used a dierent scheme of transliteration, there is bound to be endless confusion, unless the catalogs are issued in the language of the manuscript. A critical examination of these issues is by Nasim Fatima, Urdu Makhtutat ki Catalag sazi aur Miyar Bandi , (Karachi: Library Promotion Bureau, 2000). For possibilities of cooperative eorts among manuscript libraries, see the article by Abid Riza Bidar, Regional Planning for Unearthing Knowledge Buried in Oriental Manuscript Libraries, pp. 62172, in Third Congress of Muslim Librarians , (Ankara: Department of Libraries and Publications, Ministry of Culture, 1989). In February 2000, Indias central government initiated a nationwide project to prepare a comprehensive list of the manuscripts in Arabic, Persian, Turkish and Urdu that are with the government, public institutions and individuals. 6 The project, called National Mission for Preservation of Manuscripts has divided the task of a union catalog preparation between three institutions as far as Arabic script manuscripts are concerned. Thus the Salar Jang Museum Library will work on the collections in southern Indian states and Maharashtra, whereas the Raza Library in Rampur, U.P. will concentrate on northern states, while the Khuda Bakhsh Library will focus on the eastern states. In addition to the libraries, the project will include listing of manuscripts in the dargah s, Islamic shrines, mosques and madrasa s, religious schools. It is hoped that this will constitute the rst major step in a national inventory of the manuscripts, leading to preservation and publication. Like libraries elsewhere, the Indian manuscript collections are in a poor state of preservation, compounded by inclement, humid weather extremely injurious to paper. An overview of issues faced by Arabic manuscript libraries in India is the subject of an article by a former director of the Khuda Bakhsh Library, Habib al-Rahman Chighani, Mashriqi kitab khanah: masayil wa mustaqbal, Kitab Numa (October 2000): 39,
6
Manuscripts to be Listed, Deccan Chronicle 15 February 2000; www.Deccan.com.
as also Khuda Bakhsh Regional Seminar on Signicant Manuscripts: A Brief Report , (Patna: The Library, 1992). An example of particular issues of manuscripts in India are found in Shuaib Azamis article, Makhtutat ke Ikhtitamiye aur Un ke Katib, Burhan (Delhi) (April 1979): 3747. Access to the Indian Libraries Most Indian manuscript libraries are hard to access. All of the libraries have rules requiring registration of the users. The rules are harder for scholars who are not either graduate students or faculty. Once in library, one should expect to encounter problems pertaining to the actual availability of the manuscripts, even if they are listed in the catalog, and a delay before delivery of the requested manuscript. If the manuscript is really available, the reader will likely face problems related to reproduction of the manuscript. Copying in almost any form is discouraged. Fear of damage to the manuscript during reproduction process is understandable but often exaggerated. Deterred by the civil and international wars in the Middle East since the 1970s, many foreign scholars turned to the Indian libraries for materials in the Arabic script collections. Although all readers are welcomed, the time-constrained scholar will nd the rules particularly discouraging. Each librarys rules for user access and reproduction of manuscripts seem peculiar and to depend on the availablility of copying equipment. Interested scholars should begin by going through a historical overview of Indian collections and then peruse the entries on each library, arranged customarily by state. Users from abroad should get in touch with the library authorities to obtain the most complete information before travelling there. Historical Overview Steeped in the Persianate culture of Iran and Central Asia, the Delhi sultans patronized poets and scholars. The successors of the sultans were the Mughal emperors, some of whom were dedicated bibliophiles and patronized book production. The Mughal collections were destroyed and dispersed after the revolt of 1857. Some of the Mughal books were removed to the Royal Asiatic Society and the India Oce Library in London. Like the Mughals, the sultans of Bengal, Deccan, Gujarat, and Malwa were also notable book collectors, as were their own successors the Nawabs of Avadh, Arcot, Bhopal, Rampur and Tonk, as well as the Nizams of Hyderabad. The tradition of book
Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India
production patronage and collection survived until the 19th century, when modern printing replaced manuscript production. For accounts of libraries in medieval India one may consult, in chronological order: Imtiyaz Ali Arshi, Hindustan ke Arabi, Farsi Kutub Khaneh, Burhan (Delhi), volume 15, no. 3; Narendra Nath Law, Promotion of Learning in India During Muhammadan (sic ) Rule (London: Longmans & Green, 1916); M. Rama Rao, Libraries in Ancient and Medieval India, Journal of Andhra Historical Society 8 (1933): 203232; Muhammad Hamidullah, Oriental Libraries in the East and West, All India Oriental Conference Proceedings , 8 (1935): 207218; Syed Abu Zafar Nadvi, Libraries During the Muslim Rule in India, Islamic Culture 19 (1945): 329347, 20 (1946): 320 (This article may be the one also available under the title Hindustan ke Kutub Khaneh, Ma arif (Azamgarh) March 1949, pp. 187202; and Ma arif April 1949, pp. 245259.); S. Raque Ahmed, Imperial Library of the Mughal Kings, All Pakistan Historical Conference Proceedings 1 (1951): 392 393; Dharma Bhanu, Libraries and their Management in Mughal India, Journal of Indian History 31 (1953): 157173 (The same article also published in Journal of Pakistan Historical Society 2 (1954): 287301.); Muhammad Zubair, Islami Kutub khaneh (Delhi: Nadwat al-Musannin, 1961; Karachi: H. M. Said, 1978); Shaikh Abdul Aziz, The Imperial Library of the Mughals (Lahore, 1967); D. N. Marshall, Mughals in India: A Bibliographical Survey of Manuscripts (London: Mansell, 1985; reprint of 1967); K. K. Saxena, Libraries in Mughal India, Orissa Historical Research Journal 16 (1967): 6872; Salman Shamsi Nadvi, Hindustan ke mashriqi kutub khaneh (Lucknow, 1973); Kalpana Dasgupta, How Learned Were the Mughals: Reections on Muslim Libraries in India, Journal of Library History 10, 3 (July 1975): 241254; Nazir Ahmad, Timurid Manuscripts of Artistic and Historical Value in Indian Collections, Khuda Bakhsh Library Journal 106 (1996): 3696; 726769; it was translated into Persian by Abd al-Hayyi Habibi in his Hunar-i ahad-i Timuriyan , (Tehran: Bunyad-i Farhang, 1976); Fritz Lehmann, The Kitabkhanahs in Islamic India, Hikmat (Rabi I 1397/March 1977): 912; A. Prasad, Libraries in Medieval India, Library Herald 20 (1982): 155159; S. A. Usmani and Z. R. Khan, Oriental Libraries in India, pp. 129139, in Perspectives in Library and Information Science , Vol. 6, edited by S. N. Agarwal & others, (Lucknow: Print House, 1982); E. Birnbaum, Turkish Manuscript Cataloging Since 1960 and Manuscripts Still Uncataloged, Journal of the American Oriental Society 103 (1983): 691707 part
3 includes information on Indian collections; Narinder Nath & Karl Khandalalavala, Illustrated Islamic Manuscripts, pp. 3451, in An Age of Splendour: Islamic Art in India , edited by Karl Khandalavala, (Bombay: Marg, 1983); Gulab Khan, Islamic Studies Libraries in India, pp. 220226, in Handbook of Libraries, Archives and Information Centers in India , Vol. 1, edited by B. M. Gupta, (New Delhi: Aditya Prakashan, 1984); A. M. Mukhtarov, K Istori Kul Turnyskh Sviazei Azii s Indiei, Narody Azii I Afriki 3 (1983): 154158 on the visit of Soviet scholars to Indian libraries; I. M. Siddiqui, Libraries in the Mughal Period: A Study, International Library Movement 7 (1985): 146148; John Seyller, A Sub-imperial Mughal Manuscript: the Ramayana of Abd al-Rahmi Khankhanan, pp. 85100, in The Legend of Rama: Artistic Visions , edited by Vidya Dahejia, (Bombay: Marg, 1994); Sheikh Alauddin, Libraries and Librarianship during Muslim Rule in India , (New Delhi: Reliance, 1996); Aziz Allah Ataridi, Sayri dar Kitab khanah-ha-yi Hind o Pakistan , (Tehran: Anjuman-i Makhtutat-i Iran, 1997); John Seyller, The Inspection and Valuation of Manuscripts in the Imperial Mughal Library, Artibus Asi 57, 34 (1997): 243249. An entire issue of Khuda Bakhsh Library Journal 45 (1988) has been devoted to the issue of medical manuscripts in India. Surveys of Manuscript Collections Three works cite catalogs and related information on libraries worldwide, including India. These are, beginning with the most recent, World Survey of Islamic Manuscripts , Vol. 1, edited by Georey Roper, (Leiden: Brill, 1992). In Arabic a similar work is by Kurkis Awwad, Faharis Makhtutat al- Arabiyyah al-Alam , 2 vols., (Kuwait: Ma had al-Makhtutat al- Arabiyyah, 1984). See also A. J. W. Huisman, Les manuscripts arabes dans le monde: une bibliographie des catalogues , (Leiden: Brill, 1967), pp. 3339; Fuat Sezgin, Geschichte des Arabischen Schrifttums , (Leiden: Brill,), vol. 6 (published 1978), pp. 350359, and vol. 8 (published 1982), p. 300. While all of these works are useful, some of these union catalogs contain frequent inaccuracies. Instead of laboriously indentifying all of the errors, we present here rather an account of each library or collection. The account includes an introduction, citations of the published catalogs, number of manuscripts, citations on works published about the history or individual manuscripts of the library, and press citations to the present conditions. In addition to the literature cited here about each library, interested scholars should consult recent issues of the periodicals noted below.
Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India Key Periodicals
Manuscripts of the Middle East is a periodical that should be consulted for the latest research on the subject of Arabic-script manuscripts everywhere, as well as the publications of Ma had alMakhtutat al- Arabiyyah, Cairo; Majid al-Juma Center in Dubais Afaq al-thaqafah wa al-turath ; Al-Furqan Heritage Foundation in London is also involved in similar activities. See its wesbite:
http://www.alfurqan.org
General Works on Manuscript Collecting There are a number of articles focusing on libraries within India. See in chronological order: Edward Dennison Ross, Report on the Search for Arabic and Persian Manuscripts for the Ocial Year 1904 1905, Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal n. s. 2 (1906): xxii xxiv; 4 (1908): xxiixxiv; A. Suhrawardy and Haz Nazir Ahmad, Notes on Important Arabic and Persian Manuscripts Found in Various Libraries in India, Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal n. s. 13 (1917): lxxxixcxxxix; 14 (1918): ccccclvi; Fazal Ahmad Khan, A Note on Persian, Turkish and Arabic Mss., B. C. Law Volume 2 (1946): 334337; H. E. Stapleton, Further Notes on the Arabic Alchemical Manuscripts in the Libraries of India, Isis 24 (1936): 127131; Abd al-Aziz al-Jawahiri, Bazdid-i Kitabkhanah ha-yi Hindustan (Tehran, 1947); Ghulam Husayn Siddiqi, Guzarish-i safar-i Hind (Tehran: University of Tehran, publications no. 36, dated 1947); Philip Tarrazi, Khazayin Kutub al-Hind , pp. 173-76, in his Khazayinn al-kutub al- Arabiyyah al-khaqin , vol.1, (Beirut, 1947); Otto Spies, Arabische Neuscheinungen in Indien Wahrend der Kriegsjahre, Der Islam 28 (1948): 10610; Said Nasi, Nafayis-i kitabkhanah ha-yi Islami-i Hindustan, Payam-i nau (Tehran, no. 5 1950): 5761; Manuscripts from the Indian Collections, pp. 7585, in Descriptive Catalogue of an Exhibition of Selected Manuscripts in the Indian National Museum (New Delhi: National Museum, 1964). For manuscripts focusing on music, see Henry George Farmer, The Sources of Arabian Musica: An Annotated Bibliography of Arabic Manuscripts (Leiden: Brill, 1965) which deals with the theory, practice, and history of Arabian music from the eighth to the seventeenth century, including manuscripts in libraries of Hyderabad and Tonk. Similarly, Zakaria Yusuf, Makhtutat al-musiqi al- Arabiyyah al- alam (Baghdad, 1967), Vol. III pp. 914, describes 56 manuscripts in various Indian collections. Fihrist-i nuskhah-hayi khatti-i Farsi , edited by Ahmad Munzawi, 6 vols. (Tehran: Re-
gional Cultural Institute, 1969) is a major work; Hans Daiber, New Manuscript Findings from Indian Libraries, Manuscripts of the Middle East 1 (1986): 2648, deals with libraries in Aligarh, Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Rampur and Tonk. Sayyid Arif Nawshahi and Riza Allah Shah Bharat men makhtutat ki hristen , (Lahore: Urdu Academy, 1988), is based on the authors trip to Aligarh and Delhi in 1988; M. Mahfuzul Haq, Earliest Illustrated Copy of Omar [Khayyam]s Quartrains, Asia 31 (1931): 272; Jalaluddin, Two Most Authentic & Complete Copies of Babur namah in the Indian Museums, Indo-Iranica 49, iiv (1996/1998): 3539. Indexes of Urdu periodicals such as Aaj Kal (Delhi), Burhan (Delhi), Ma arif (Azamgarh), Nawa-yi Adab (Bombay), Sabras (Hyderabad), as well as journals specializing in Indian history and culture are likely to reveal articles on individual manuscripts. Listed below are specic libraries in various parts of the country geographically divided rst by state and then by city. ANDHRA PRADESH Andhra Pradesh Government Oriental Manuscripts Library and Research Institute (OMLRI) Osmania University Campus, Hyderabad 500 007 Introduction: In 1975, the Andhra Pradesh State Central Library, formerly known as the Asaya Library, transferred its Arabic script manuscript collection to the newly formed OMLRI. In April 1997, it moved to a purposebuilt building on the Osmania University Campus. The ocial introductory text is found in Hand Book of Andhra Pradesh Government Oriental Manuscripts Library and Research Institute , compiled by V V. L. Narasimha Rao, (Hyderabad: OMLRI, 1988); and V. Venkatappaiah, A. P. Government Oriental Manuscripts Library and Research Institute, pp. 261265, in Handbook of Libraries, Archives and Information Centers in India , Vol. 9, edited by B. M. Gupta, (New Delhi: Aditya Prakashan, 1991); S. M. Ibrahim, About the Department of Oriental Manuscripts and Library, Vijnana Saraswati 1, 2 (January 1984): 5357; Mir Karamat Ali, A Short Note on the Arabic, Persian and Urdu Manuscripts of Our Library, Vijnana Saraswati 1, 2 (January 1984): 7577. Number of manuscripts: 23,000.
Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India Catalog(s):
Kutub khanah-i Asaya Sarkar-i Aali (Hyderabad: Shamsi Press, 1900); Fihrist-i Kutub-i Arabi wa Farsi wa Urdu , preface by Sayyid Tassaduq Husayn al-Musawi al-Nisaburi & Sayyid Abbas Husayn alKazimi al-Nisaburi al-Kanturi, (Hyderabad, 191436) 4 vols. Fihrist mashru bad kutub nasah qalmiyyah makhzuna kutub khanah Asayah sarkar-i aali , 2 vols., (Hyderabad: Dar al-Tabaa Sarkar-i Aali, 19371958); Nasir al-Din Hashimi, Descriptive Catalogue of Urdu Manuscripts , (Hyderabad: Khawatin-i Deccan Institute, 19611971) 2 vols. Mir Karamat Ali, An Alphabetical Subject-wise Index of Urdu Etc. Manuscripts. . . (Hyderabad: OMLRI, 1985); Rifat Ridwana, Wazahati hrist-i makhtutat-i Urdu: dawawin wa kulliyat = A Descriptive Catalogue of Urdu Manuscripts: Diwan, Kuliyat (Hyderabad: OMLRI, 1988). Works on the history or individual manuscripts in the Library: In general, see Riza Ali Abidi, Kitab Khanah (Karachi: Saad Publications, 1985), pp. 9197. For particular manuscripts consult, Nasir al-Din Hashimi, Kutub khanah-i Asaya ke baaz nayab Urdu makhtutat, Nawa-i Adab (January 1952): 2348; H.E. Stapleton, Note on the Arabic Manuscripts on Alchemy in the Asasifyah Library Archeon 14 (1932): 5761; David Pinault, An Investigation of Arabic and Persian Manuscripts in Selected Indian Libraries, Hamdard Islamicus 13, 2 (Summer 1990): 7578; Isam Muhammad al-Shanti, al-Makhtutat alArabiyyah al-Hind (Kuwait: Ma had al-Makhtutat al- Arabiyyah, 1985), pp. 1819. Based on a visit to the various Indian libraries including the OMLRI in April and May 1984; and Hans Daiber, New Manuscript Findings from Indian Libraries, Manuscripts of the Middle East 1 (1986), pp. 2648; Angel Mestres, Maghribi Astronomy in the 13th Century: A Description of Manuscript in Hyderabad, in From Baghdad to Barcelona: Studies in the Islamic Exact Sciences in Honor of Prof. Juan Vernet , vol. 1, pp. 383443, (Barcelona: University of Barcelona, 1996) Present Conditions: Memorandum On Oriental Manuscripts Library, Hyderabad, Radiance 2329 August 1987, p. 4. The memorandum submitted by The Islamic Service Society to the government of Andhra Pradesh speaks about lack of sta for the Arabic script manuscripts. Evidently matters have not improved at the library since the memorandum was submitted: See State on Verge of Losing 17,000 Rare Manuscripts, Dec-
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can Chronicle 11 February 2000, www.Deccan.com; and Archivist Calls for Preservation of Qalami Books, Deccan Chronicle 31 August 2000, www.Deccan.com. Andhra Pradesh State Archives Tarnaka, Hyderabad 500007 Introduction: The State Archives was established in the 18th century in the Nizams Dominion through the merger of various departmental depositories. It has a large collection of state papers in Persian and Urdu, but fewer manuscripts. The present institution and building dates from 1956 and 1965, respectively. An introduction is found in Archival Organization and Records Management in the State of Andhra Pradesh (Hyderabad: Government of Andhra Pradesh, 1980), as well as in A Guide to Persian and Urdu Records Preserved in Andhra Pradesh State Archives and Research Institute , edited by Syed Dawood Ashraf, (Hyderabad: AP State Archives, 1993) Works on history or individual manuscripts: The most recent account is by Syed Dawood Ashraf, Andhra Pradesh State Archives Ke Makhzuna Nayab Makhtutat, Siyasat (Dec. 15, 2000): 3, and Siyasat (Jan. 5, 2004): 3. Nasir al-Din Hashimi, Central Record Oce ki Urdu qalami kitaben, Nawa-i Adab (April 1956): 4873; (July 1956): 3354; Nasir al-Din Hashimi, Daftar-i Diwani wa Mal ke Hindustani makhtutat (Hyderabad: Dar al-Tabaa, Jamia Osmania, n.d.); Muhammad Ghawth, Karnatak ki Tarikh ke Makhtutat, Ma arif (Azamgarh) (February 1936): 117122; and Ma arif (Azamgarh) (June 1936): 452465. Andhra Pradesh State Museum Public Gardens, Hyderabad 500001 Introduction: The Museum was established in 1930 as the Hyderabad State Museum. The name was changed in 1956 to the present name. An ocial introductory text is by P. Joginaidu, A. P. State Museum (Hyderabad: The Government of Andhra Pradesh, 2000) Number of manuscripts: 117. Catalog(s): Catalogue of Arabic, Persian and Urdu Manuscripts in the Hyderabad Museum , edited by Muhammad Ghause, (Hyderabad: Government Central Press, 1953).
Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India Works on the history or individual manuscripts in the Library:
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Nasir al-Din Hashimi, Aja ib Khanah-yi Haydarabad ka ek Nayab Dakhni Makhtutah, Ma arif (Azamgarh) (June 1932): 446451; Khwaja Muhammad Ahmad, Dewan-i Bi-Khudi: Early 17th Century Manuscripts, Islamic Culture 13,3 (July 1939): 31922. Nasir alDin Hashimi, Haydarabad, Dakan ke Aja ib Khanah ki Urdu Qalami Kitaben, Nawa-i Adab (January 1955): 4249; (April 1955): 4156; (July 1955): 1924; (July 1956): 4872; Hans Daiber, New Manuscript Findings from Indian Libraries, Manuscripts of the Middle East 1 (1986): 2648. Government Nizamiya Tibbi College Charminar, Hyderabad 500002 Introduction: See Helen E. Shaheen, Orgnanization, Practice, and Patronage of Ayurvedic and Unani Medicine Systems in Contemporary Hyderabad (Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, University of Pennsylvania, 1983). Catalog(s): Aziz Pasha, List of Arabic Medical Manuscripts in Government Unani Tibbi College, Hyderabad, Bulletin of the Department of the History of Medicine 1 (1963): 18889; A Brief Account of Two Medical Manuscripts in the Library of Government Nizamiah Unani Tibbi College, Bulletin of the Department of the History of Medicine 1 (1963): 190192 . These articles were eventually published as the Union Catalogue of Arabic and Persian Medical Manuscripts in the Libraries of Hyderabad (Hyderabad: Department of the History of Medicine, Osmania Medical College, 1966). Idarah-yi Ihya al-Ma arif al-Numaniya Jalal Kucha Hyderabad 500002 Introduction: It was established by Abu al-Wafa al-Afghani, a scholar from Afghanistan domiciled in Hyderabad. He passed away in 1976. This institutions contains several manuscripts, as yet uncataloged or listed.
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MELA Notes 7576 (Fall 2002Spring 2003) Idarah-i Adabiyat-i Urdu Iwan-i Urdu, Panjagutta P.O. Somajiguda, Hyderabad 500482
Introduction: The Idarah was established in 1931 by Sayyid Muhi al-Din Qadiri Zor and his colleagues. Besides Urdu, it has manuscripts in Arabic and Persian. An ocial introductory text is in Yadgar-i jashn-i simin (Hyderabad: The Idarah, 1955), as well as in the catalog noted below. Number of manuscripts: 1,426 Catalog(s): Tazkirah-yi Urdu makhtutat , edited by Sayyid Muhi al-Din Qadiri Zor, (Hyderabad: The Idarah, 194359); reprinted Delhi: Tarraqi Urdu Bureau, 1984. 5 vols.; vol. 6 edited by Muhammad Akbar al-Din Siddiqi and Muhammad Ali Athar, (Hyderabad: The Idarah, 1983); Tazkirahi Nawadir-i Iwan-i Urdu , edited by Sayyid Muhi al-Din Qadiri Zor, (Hyderabad: The Idarah, 1960) Works on the history or individual manuscripts in the Library: Zeb Haydar, Idarah-i Adabiyat-i Urdu ke chand aham Farsi makhtutat, Sabras (April 1998): 4650. Institute of History of Medicine Osmania Medical College Building Residency, Hyderabad 500001 Introduction: The Institute was established in 1957 in Gandhi Medical College in Bashir Bagh. Since 1971 it is located in Osmania Medical College, Residency. See the preliminary text in Institute of History of Medicine, Museum Guide , compiled by V. V. Ramana Rao & D. V. Subba Reddy, (Hyderabad: The Central Council for Research in Indian Medicine & Homoepathy, 1971): 5659; Aziz Pasha, List of Arabic, Persian and Urdu Medical Manuscripts in the Department of History of Medicine, Bulletin of the Department of History of Medicine 1 (1963): 110112.
Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India Jamia Nizamiya Shibli Gunj, Hyderabad 500002 Website URL: http://www.jamianizamia.org/
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(Not to be confused with the Government Nizamiya Tibbi College, noted above)
Introduction: See Parveen R. Frooqui, A Study of Jamia Nizamia (Hyderabad: The Author, 1972). Number of manuscripts: 1164 Works on the history or individual manuscripts in the Library: Nasir al-Din Hashimi, Jamia Nizamiya ke Urdu makhtutat, Nawai Adab (January 1964): 5559; (April 1964): 2841; David Pinault, An Investigation of Arabic and Persian Manuscripts in Selected Indian Libraries, Hamdard Islamicus 13, 2 (Summer 1990): 77; Jamia Nizamia: 125 Glorious Years, Siyasat Fortnightly International (January 1631 1997): 1. Kutub Khanah-i Rawdat al-Hadith Rain Bazaar, Hyderabad 500023 Introduction: It is under the control of Muslim Waqf Board. The collection is housed in a building inappropriate for the purpose. Number of manuscripts: 800. Catalog(s): None at present. Works on the history or individual manuscripts: Isam Muhammad al-Shanti, al-Makhtutat al- Arabiyyah al-Hind (Kuwait: Ma had al-Makhtutat al- Arabiyyah, 1985), pp. 2627. Present conditions: Although the A.P. State Waqf Board is supposedly in charge of the collection, the Boards negligence led to its near destruction as reported in Siyasat 11 January 1982, and 25 January 1982. Mecca Masjid Library Charminar, Hyderabad 500002 Introduction: The premier mosque of Hyderabad was founded in 1617. Like most other jama masjids, the Mecca mosque probably always had a collection of books, if not a separate, designated space for storing books. The
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present library in the mosque was built in 1980. According to a news report in Siyasat dated 25 May 1981, entitled Makka Masjid Laibrari, there are 65 Persian and Arabic manuscripts in the collection. See also Mohamed Taher and M. A. K. Fatimy, Mosque Library: A Case Study, Indian Library Association Bulletin 20, 12 (April-September 1984): 3841. Osmania University Library Osmania University Campus Hyderabad 500007 Introduction: The University was established in 1918, and the library was located in the College of Arts. Since 1963, it is housed in the present purpose-built facility. An ocial introductory text is on http://www.osmania.ac.in Number of manuscripts: 3,418 Catalog(s): A Descriptive Catalogue of Urdu Manuscripts at Osmania University Library , compiled by Muhammad Ghouse and A. W. Shakira, (Hyderabad: Osmania University Library, 1984); Fihrist-i Urdu makhtut , edited by Abd al-Qadir Sarwari, (Hyderabad: Dar al-Tabaa Jamia Osmania,1929); Razia Akbar, Fihrist-i makhtut-i kitab khanah-yi Osmania, Farsi, Vahid (Tehran) 11, 5 (1352): 444464 & 562563; 12, 69 & 11 & 12 (1353): 506; 593; 682; 768; 932 ; 13 (1354): 6467. Works on the history or individual manuscripts in the Library: Aziz Pasha, List of Arabic & Persian Medical Manuscripts in the Osmania University Library, Bulletin of the Department of History of Medicine 1 (1963): 5053; and the same compilers Treatises of Historical Interest in the Osmania University Library, Bulletin of the Department of History of Medicine 1 (1963): 5456; Isam Muhammad al-Shanti, al-Makhtutat al- Arabiyyah al-Hind (Kuwait: Ma had alMakhtutat al- Arabiyyah, 1985), pp. 2022; Paul Sprachman, Photographing Islamic Manuscripts in India, South Asia Library Notes and Queries 14 (November 1982): 7; Hans Daiber, New Manuscript Findings from Indian Libraries, Manuscripts of the Middle East 1 (1986): 2648; David Pinault, An Investigation of Arabic and Persian Manuscripts in Selected Indian Libraries, Hamdard Islamicus 13, 2 (Summer 1990): 77.
Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India Saidiya Library 56175 Aghapura, Hyderabad 500001 Website URL: http://business.vsn.com/netcity/sayeedia.htm Introduction:
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The library was founded by Mufti Muhammad Said Khan, (1831 95), a judge of Hyderabad High Court. It was opened in 1935 by members of the Mufti Said Khans family. It used to be located in the Jam Bagh/Troop Bazaar in the heart of the city. However, on 9 September 1984, a mob of crazed fanatics burned down a portion of the library, destroying a number of precious manuscripts. Since then it is located in the private home of Mr. Ahmad Ataullah. For an ealier introduction see, Muhammad Ghawth, Kutub Khanah-yi Saidiya, Ma arif (Azamgarh) January 1936: 3345. An ocial introduction is found in the catalog noted below. Number of Manuscripts: 3,141. Catalog(s): A Catalogue of Arabic Manuscripts , 2 vols., edited by Muhammad Ghouse and others (Hyderabad: Saidiya Library, 19681991) Works on the history or individual manuscripts in the Library: For an account of the library see Burhanuddin Husain, The Saeediya Library , (Aurangabad, 1937), a revised version of this booklet is included in Tazkirah-i Said , edited by Muhammad Afzal al-Din Iqbal, (Hyderabad: Saidiya Library, 1973. For an earlier account of some individual manuscripts see, Klaus Fischer, Some Illuminated Persian Manuscripts in the Saidiyah Library, Islamic Culture 30 (1956): 36 39; M. Nizamuddin, A Unique Illustrated Manuscript of Sadis Gulistan, pp. 121126, in Studies in Indian Culture: Dr. Ghulam Yazdani Commemoration Volume , edited by H. K. Sherwani, (Hyderabad, 1963); Aziz Pasha, List of Unani Medical Manuscripts Preserved in Sayeediya Library, Bulletin of the Department of History of Medicine 3 (1965): 3940; Annemarie Schimmel, Impressions from a Journey to the Deccan, Die Welt des Islams 20, 12 (1980): 104107; Paul Sprachman, Photographing Islamic Manuscripts in India, South Asia Library Notes and Queries 14 (November 1982): 7; and Isam Muhammad al-Shanti, al-Makhtutat al- Arabiyyah al-Hind (Kuwait: Ma had al-Makhtutat al- Arabiyyah, 1985), pp. 2326
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For accounts of the attack on the library in 1984, see Munir Ahmad Siddiqi, Kutub khanah-i Saidiya, Siyasat 13 October 1984; and the comment of Narayana Rao on Siddiqis article lamenting the destruction published in the same newspaper dated 21 October 1984. Salar Jang Museum and Library Hyderabad 50002 Website URL: http://www.salarjungmuseum.com/ Introduction: The museum and the library rich in Arabic script manuscripts is the collection of Nawab Mir Yusuf Ali Khan Salar Jang III, (18881949) an important nobleman and diwan of Hyderabad. The museum and the library were opened in 1951, in the noblemans own palace called Diwan Dewdi. It moved to the present location in 1968. An introductory text is found in Guide Book [to] Salar Jung Museum , (Hyderabad: Salar Jung Museum, 1998); and by Rahmat Ali Khan, Salar Jung Museum and Library, pp. 7375, in Handbook of Libraries, Archives, and Information Centers in India , vol. 9, edited by B. M. Gupta, (New Delhi: Aditya Prakashan, 1991) Number of manuscripts: 10,000 Catalog(s): Nasir al-Din Hashimi, Kutubkhanah-yi Nawab Salar Jang ki Urdu qalami kitabon ki wadahati hrist , (Hyderabad: Ibrahimiya Press, 1957); A Catalogue of the Arabic Manuscripts in the Salar Jung Collection , vol. 17, edited by Muhammad Nizamuddin and Muhammad Ashraf, (Hyderabad: The Museum, 19571993); A Catalogue of Persian Mss. in the Salar Jung Museum and Library , vols. 110, edited by Muhammad Ashraf, (Hyderabad: The Museum, 19651991). Work on history or individual manuscripts in the library: M. Nizamuddin, Hidden Treasures of Arabic and Persian Manuscripts in the Salar Jung Museum, Indo-Iranica 10, ii (1957): 2641; Aziz Pasha, List of Arabic Medical Manuscripts in Salar Jung Oriental Library, Bulletin of the Department of the History of Medicine 2 (1964): 3339; Paul Sprachman, Photographing Islamic Manuscripts in India, South Asia Library Notes and Queries 14 (November 1982): 7; M. S. Randhawa, Rare Bukhara Manuscript: Raudat ul-Muhibbin, Arts & the Islamic World 1, 4 (1983/84): 7 10 Isam Muhammad al-Shanti, al-Makhtutat al- Arabiyyah al-Hind , (Kuwait: Ma had al-Makhtutat al- Arabiyyah, 1985), pp. 1618; Karl
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J. Khandalwala and Rahmat Ali Khan, Gulshan-e Mussawari: Seven Illustrated Manuscripts , (Hyderabad: The Museum, 1986); Hans Daiber, New Manuscript Findings from Indian Libraries, Manuscripts of the Middle East 1 (1986): 2648; David Pinault, An Investigation of Arabic and Persian Manuscripts in Selected Indian Libraries, Hamdard Islamicus 13, 2 (Summer 1990): 7577; Erkan Turkmen, Divan-i Haz-i Khawrezmi Preserved in Salar Jang Museum Library, Khuda Bakhsh Library Journal 53 (1990): 6568; Manuscripts of Hyderabad , edited by Rahmat Ali Khan, (Hyderabad: Salar Jung Museum, 1990); and the same authors Manuscripts on the Prophets Life in Salar Jung Museum Library, Radiance (511 September 1993): 6162; S. A. Hussain, Zakhira-e Nizam Shahi: A Medical Manuscript of the Nizam Shahi Period, Bulletin of the Indian Institute of History of Medicine 23, I (1993): 5964; The Baburnama: Memoirs of Babur, Prince and Emperor , translated, edited & annotated by Wheeler M. Thackston, (New York: Oxford University Press, 1996) see p. 13 for the most complete copy of the Baburnama in the Salar Jang Museum Library. More recent publications include S. M. Razullah Ansari, Rare Arabic and Persian Manuscripts on Astronomy in the Saler Jung Museum, Salar Jung Museum Bi-Annual Research Journal 3334 (199697): 1318; Ziauddin Desai, Foremost Indian Repository of Outstanding Specimens of the Art of Islamic Calligraphy: Saler Jung Museum, Indo-Iranica 50 (1997): 7584. Like other libraries, the Saler Jung Museum is not theft-free, as copies of Hamza Namah have disappeared. See John H. Barnes, Patron of Arts, Biblio (New Delhi) (March-April 2003): 13 14. Other Collections and Institutions There are/were a number of collections whose present whereabouts are unknown, see for example, Catalogue of the Arabic, Persian Books and Manuscripts in the Library of the Nawab Faylsuf Jang , edited by Abu Yusuf Muhi ad-Din Husain Farooqi, (Hyderabad: Shamsi Press, n.d.) No one seems to know what happened to this Library. Similar is the case with Fihrist-i matbu at wa-makhtutat Kutub Khanah-i Haydari , edited by Shaykh Abu al-Qasim, (Hyderabad, 1354 Fasli) Da irat al-Ma arif al-Osmania is an institution established to edit and publish Arabic manuscripts written between 6th to the 14th century CE or rst to the eighth century H. It was established in 1888. Since 1944 it is aliated with Osmania University, and located on the University campus in its own building since 1963. The best introduction to this institution is written by Abd al-Muid Khan, Da irat a-Ma arif
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al-Osmania, pp. 6073, in Urdu in Sawghat-i jashan-i tilai, Jamia Osmania , edited by Husyani Shahid, (Hyderabad: Osmania University, 1968). The most recent (2003) list of publication shows that 208 books have been published. In 1988, the Daira completed a century and was in dire nancial straits, as the press reports indicate. See Daira to Get a New Lease of Life, Deccan Chronicle February 24, 2000, as cited on http://www.Deccan.com. On the previous works of the Dairah see, Hashim Nadvi, Maqalah-yi tahauz-i ulum-i qadimah , (Hyderabad: Da irat al-Ma arif al-Osmaniyya, 1936). The same editor consulted 376 manuscripts in many Indian collections and listed them in his Tadhkirah al-nawadir min al-makhtutat al- Arabiyyah , (Hyderabad: Dairat al-Ma arif al-Osmania, 1350 H.) Special Note: In the [Abdul] Razzaq Manzil, in Nampally, is located the Haj House, where there was a library containing manuscripts and rare books, see the report, Haj House Eats Up Library, Lets Books Rot, Deccan Chronicle Monday 30 September 2002, http://Deccan.com/city/city2.shtml accessed on that date. BIHAR Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library Ashok Raj Path, Patna 800 004 Website URL: http://www.kblibrary.org/oriental.htm Introduction: Mawlawi Khuda Bakhsh, (18421908), a native of Bihar and chief justice of the Hyderabad High Court established one of the largest collections of manuscripts in 1891. Introductory text is by B. M. Gupta, Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library, pp. 8894, in Handbook of Libraries, Archives and Information Centers in India , edited by B. M. Gupta, (New Delhi: Aditya Prakashan, 1991). It is the only Islamic library in India commemorated by a postal stamp issued by India in 1995. Number of manuscripts: 21,000. Catalog(s): Mahbub al-bab ta rif al-kutub wa al-kuttab , by Khuda Bakhsh, (Hyderabad, 1314 A.H./1896 or 1897; reprinted by the Library, 1991); Catalogue of Arabic and Persian Manuscripts in the Oriental Public Library at Bankipore , 34 volumes, edited by Azim al-Din Ahmad et al. (Calcutta and Patna: The Library, 1980). For a comment on
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these catalogs see Edward Dennison Ross, A Word on Professor Seidels Review of Bankipore Catalogue, Zeitschrift der Deutschen Morgenland andischen Gesellschaft 66 (1912): 148160, and 528; Fihrist-i dasti-i kutub-i qalami-i Laibriri-yi mawqufah-yi Khan Bahadur Khuda Bakhsh musammah bi-Miftah al-kunuz al-khayah , 3 vols., edited by Abdulhamid and Edward Dennison Ross, & vol. III by Sayyid Athar Shir (Patna: The Library, 19181965); Vincent C. Scott OConnor, An Eastern Library: With Two Catalogues of its Persian and Arabic Manuscripts (Glasgow, 1920; revised edition published by the Khuda Bakhsh Library in 1977); Fihrist-i nuskh-i khatti-yi Farsi-yi Oriental Public Library musammah bih Mirat al-ulum (Patna: The Library, 1925); Fihrist-i makhtut-i Urdu, Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library , edited by Abid Imam Zaydi (Patna: The Library, 1962) and Khuda Bakhsh Library ke Urdu makhtut ki hrist (Patna: The Library, 1995); Catalogue of the Arabic and Persian Manuscripts in the Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library , 2nd edition, vols. 136 (Patna: The Library, 1970); Tibb-i Islami bar-i saghir men (Patna: The Library, 1988) On Yunani medical manuscripts in the library; Erkan Turkmen, Hindustan ke Kutub Khanon main Turki Makhtutat, Khuda Bakhsh Library Journal 5455 (1990): 43435; Zalmay Hewadmal, Nuskh-i zaban-i Pushto dar Kitab Khanah-yi Khuda Bakhsh, Patna, Khuda Bakhsh Library Journal 53 (1990): 204-217; Arabic and Persian Manuscripts in the Khuda Bakhsh Library, Corrections and Additions , by Z. A. Desai (Patna: The Library, 1995); Descriptive Catalogue of Rare Arabic Manuscripts Preserved in Khuda Bakhsh Library , edited by M. Zakir Hussain, 3 vols. (Patna: The Library, 1997) Works on the history or individual manuscripts in the Library: For the life of Khuda Bakhsh, see the biography by his son, and a famous scholar in his own right, Salahuddin Khuda Bakhsh and Jadunath Sarkar, Khuda Bakhsh (Patna: The Library, 1981). Mawlawi Khuda Bakhsh (Patna: The Khuda Bakhsh Library, 2001) is a collection of papers on the founders career. Earliest accounts of the library are found in T. Bloch, Eine Sammlung Persischer und Arabischer Handscriften in Indien (Bankipore), Zeitschrift der Deutschen Morgenland andischen Gesellschaft Lxiii (1909): 98102; J. I. Hasler, The Oriental Public Library, Bankipore, The Muslim World 6 (1916): 57 66; Sayyid Najib Ashraf Nadwi, Kitab Khanah-yi Mashriqi, Patna, Ma arif (Azamgarh) (March 1923): 180197. An account with a description of the Library is by Vincent C. Scott OConnor, An Eastern Library (Glasgow, 1920), translated into Urdu by Sayyid Mubariz al-
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Din Rifat, Ek mashriqi kutub khanah (Aligarh: Anjuman-i Tarraqi-i Urdu, 1950). The periodical Khuda Bakhsh Library Journal , published by the Library since 1977, carries articles based on research on the manuscripts in the library. The Library also conducts a seminar on manuscripts; see for instance, Urdu makhtutat: Khuda Bakhsh Junubi Aishiyai Ilaqai Seminar 1987 ke maqalat (Patna: The Library, 1999). Individual scholars who wrote about the manuscripts in the library include, Brahmadeva Prasad Ambashthiya, An Urdu Manuscript in Khuda Bakhsh Library, Indian History Congress Proceedings 21 (1958): 306317; Rihana Khatun, Nafayis al-Kalam wa Araiyish al-Aqlam: Raja Ali Khan Faruqi . . . Wali-yi Khandesh ke Ahad ke ek Farsi Tasnif, Ma arif (Azamgarh) March 1977: 204221; Muhammad Atitqurrahman, Khuda Bakhsh Library main Mawlana Ghulam Ali Azad Bilgrami ki Qalami Tasnifat, Ma arif (October 1980): 278292; Paul Sprachman, Photographing Islamic Manuscripts in India, South Asia Library Notes and Queries 13 (June 1982): 9; Hatim Salih al-Damin, Makhtutat kitab al-halabah asma al-Khil al-mashhurah al-jahiliyah wa alIslam, Majallat al-Majma al- Ilmi al- Iraqi 34 (1983): 201-203; Wasim Ahmad Azami,Zubdat al-Tibb: Ek Aham Tibbi Makhtutah, Ma arif (Azamgarh) April 1984: 294307; Isam Muhammad al-Shanti, alMakhtutat al- Arabiyyah al-Hind (Kuwait: Ma had al-Makhtutat alArabiyyah, 1985), pp. 3942; Riza Ali Abidi, Kitab Khanah , (Karachi: Saad Publications, 1985), pp. 5562; Fuzayl Ahamd Qadiri, al-Qael alJala wa Asrar al-Khafa ka Nuskhah-yi Khuda Bakhsh, Ma arif (Azamgarh) June 1987: 463474; K. A. Shaque Azmi, Ghulam Mehdi, & K. J. Shamsi, Some Salient Features of Kitabul Hashaish With Special Reference to Manuscript Preserved in Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Library, Bulletin of the Indian Institute of History of Medicine 23, ii (1993): 143148; Muhammad Zakir Husayn Nadwi, Khuda Bakhsh Library ka ek Makhtutah Khulasa-yi Anis al-Talibin, Ma arif (Azamgarh) July 1998: 6776. Present conditions: As it is an institution established by the central Indian government, an Annual Report of the Library is presented to the national parliament every year, which would be a useful source of information. Journalistic accounts include, S. N. Sahi, The Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library, The Illustrated Weekly of India 22 October 1967: 2627; Rashid Ali, Maktabat Khuda Bakhsh al-sharaqiyah al-amah, Thaqafat al-Hind 41, 4 (1990): 143150. The library celebrated its
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centenary in 1991; see the report Khuda Bakhsh Library ka jashn-i sad salah, Nida-yi Millat (14 July 1991): 78, and (28 July 1991): 10. For the state of preservation see the account by a former director Abid Riza Bidar, The Preservation of Islamic Manuscripts in India, pp. 1519, in The Conservation and Preservation of Islamic Manuscripts , edited by Yusuf Ibish, (London: al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation, 1996). The most recent accounts of the library is by Shuchi Sinha, Old World Charm: Ramayana in Persian? That and Other Medieval Texts . . . India Today 12 April 2002: 8; Khuda Bakhsh Library in Dire Straits, Islamic Voice (Bangalore) April 2003,
http://islamicvoice.com/april.2003/community.htm#kbl
Other Collections
Kutub Khanah-yi al-Islah Dasna, Patna, was established in 1899. See Abd al-Qawi Desnawi, Ek aur Mashriqi Kutub Khanah (Dasna: Jamiat al-Tulaba, 1954). Syed Hasan Askari, the well-known scholar in his article, A Rare and Unique Eighth Century Arabic Manuscript on Embassies and Amanuences of the Prophet of Islam, Indo-Iranica 39, 14 (1986): 120, speaks of the collections of Shifa al-Mulk Hakim Sayyid Mazhar Husain, Waqf Diwan Nasir Ali Library in village Kijhua, district Saran, and the library of Raja Pyare Lal Ulfati of Patna who had signcant number of manuscripts, though they were left in the hands of descendants unfamiliar with Urdu, or Arabic and Persian. Syed Hasan Askari wrote two articles dealing with manuscripts in places not known, see Historical Contents of a Newly-Discovered Persian Manuscript, Indian Historical Records Commission Proceedings 16 (1939): 179187; and Fragments of a Newly Discovered Persian Manuscript by a Hindu News Writer, Indian History Congress Proceedings 12 (1949): 270273. See also the following articles, Mahmud Sher, Azimabad, Patna ke Ghayr Maaruf Kutub Khaneh, Ma arif (Azamgarh) (January 1914): 4652; Abu Salma Sha Ahmad, Kutub Khanah-yi Shakranawa, Burhan (Delhi) 38, no. 1; Sayyid Abd al-Rauf Nadwi, Chand Kitabon ke Qalami Nuskhe, Ma arif (Azamgarh) (August 1947): 130136, which is about the collection of Shaykh Nur Ali in Sahsaram, Bihar.
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MELA Notes 7576 (Fall 2002Spring 2003) DELHI
Introduction No one seems to know what happened to the manuscripts cited in the following works: Muhammad Sha, A Short Summary of the Notes on Persian and Arabic Manuscripts Exhibited in Connection with the 8th Session of the Indian Historical Records Commission in Delhi, Indian Historical Records Commission Proceeding 8 (1925): 45 56; Muhammad Mahdi Ghawri, Fihrist-i kutub-i qalami: Arabi, Farsi, Urdu (Delhi, 1941), a description of the Nadhiriya Public Librarys catalog, a number of whose manuscripts have gone into the Indian Institute of Islamic Studies collection, according to Prof. Gopi Chand Narang, as cited in Riza Ali Abidi, Kutub khanah , (Karachi: Saad Publications, 1985), p. 127 The Nadhiriya Public Library was founded by Mawlawi Sayyid Nadhir Husayn, 18051902, the founder of teh Ahl-i Hadith movement; and Chand Husayn Shaikh, A Concise Catalogue of Manuscripts and Mughal Documents of Relating to Khan Bahadur Zafar Hasan (Delhi, 1946). The following titles are union catalogs: Dihli ke Urdu makhtutat ki wadahati hrist , edited by H. K. Kaul and Salah al-Din Khan, (New Delhi: Anjuman-i Taraqqi-i Urdu, 1975) and the same writers Urdu Manuscripts: A Descriptive Bibliography of Manuscripts in Delhi Libraries (New Delhi: Heritage Publishers, 1977). Anjuman-i Tarraqi-yi Urdu Library 212 Rouse Avenue New Delhi 110002 Introduction: The Anjuman is the leading organization for the non-ocial promotion of Urdu language and literature. It was founded in 1903 as a unit within the Muslim Educational Conference. It moved to Aurangabad in 1912, then to Delhi in 1936, then to Aligarh in 1947, and then back again in the 1970s where it started. Its new building has been constructed on a site provided by the central government of India. Catalog(s): Muhammad Abrar Husayn Faruqi, Fihrist-i makhtutat-i kutub khanah-i Anjuman-i Tarraqi-i Urdu, Urdu Adab (March 1953); (July 1954); Fihrist-i nuskhah ha-yi khatti-i Farsi-i Kitabkhanah-i Anjumani Tarraqi-i Urdu (New Delhi: Markaz-i Tahqiqat-i Farsi, Rayzani Farhangi-i Jumhuri-i Islami-i Iran, 1999)
Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India Dargah of Shah Abu al-Khayr New Delhi 110006
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Introduction: This is the private collection of Mawlana Abu al-Hasan Zayd Faruqi. An obituary notice on the Mawlana appeared in Radiance 1925 December 1993: 12. Catalog: Shaista Khan, Dihli ki Dargah Shah Abu al-Khayr ke Makhtutat ki Fihrist, Khuda Bakhsh Library Journal 102 (1995): 247329. Works on the history or individual manuscripts in the Library: Nizam al-Din Ahmad Kazimi, Tafsir Kashif al-Haqayiq ka Nadir Makhtutah, Burhan (June 1976): 5559; Isam Muhammad al-Shanti, al-Makhtutat al- Arabiyyah al-Hind (Kuwait: Ma had al-Makhtutat al- Arabiyyah, 1985), pp. 1415. Ghalib Academy Hazrat Nizamuddin New Delhi 110013 Introduction: The Academy is dedicated to the life and works of Mirza Asad Allah Khan Ghalib (17971869), the eminent Persian and Urdu poet. Catalog(s): Fihrist-i nuskhah ha-yi khatti-i Farsi Anistitu-yi Ghalib, Dihli-i Naw , edited by Tawq Subhani, (Tehran: Farhangistan-i Zaban va Adab-i Farsi, 1997) Hardayal Municipal Public Library Near Town Hall Near Old Delhi Railway Station Delhi 110006 Introduction: Hardayal Municipal Public Library was set up in 1862 and is considered the oldest public library in Delhi. In early twentieth century, it was called Hardinge Public Library. After independence, it was named as the Hardayal Library after a freedom ghter. Catalog(s): Fihrist-i nuskhah ha-yi khatti-i Farsi-i Kitabkhanah-iumum-i Hardayal (New Delhi: Markaz-i Tahqiqat-i Farsi, Rayzani Farhangi-i Jumhuri-i Islami-i Iran, 1999)
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Works on the history or individual manuscripts in the Library: How about Mahabharat in Persian, The Tribune (Chandigarh) 2 February 2002; A Library with a Grand History,
http://www.thedelhicity.com/DelhiGuide/
Indian Council for Cultural Relations Library Azad Bhavan Indraprastha Estate New Delhi 100002 Introduction: The Indian Council for Cultural Relations Library was established in 1950 as the premier Indian institution for the exposition of Indian culture. Number of manuscripts: 140 Catalog(s): None Works on the history or individual manuscripts in the Library: See al-Makhtutat al- Arabiyah maktabat al-Majlis al-Hindi lilAlaqat al-Thaqayah, al-Mawsim 2, v (1990): 264267; Akhbar alTurath al-Arabi Tishrin al-ThaniKanun al-Awwal 1983, p. 13; Isam Muhammad al-Shanti, al-Makhtutat al- Arabiyyah al-Hind (Kuwait: Ma had al-Makhtutat al- Arabiyyah, 1985), pp. 1315; ; David Pinault, An Investigation of Arabic and Persian Manuscripts in Selected Indian Libraries, Hamdard Islamicus 13, 2 (Summer 1990): 7182. Hakim Muhammad Said Central Library Jamia Hamdard Tughlaqabad, New Delhi 100062 Introduction: The Library, which started as the library of the Indian Institute of Islamic Studies, was established in 1956. The present location dates from 1977. An introduction is found in Syed Ausaf Ali, Indian Institute of Islamic Studies, pp. 251253, in Handbook of Libraries, Archives and Information Centers in India , vol. 9, edited by B. M. Gupta, (New Delhi: Aditya Prakashan, 1991). Two special collections are the Nadhiriya and the Malik Ram. Number of manuscripts: 3619. Catalog(s): Fihrist-i kutub-i qalami shubah-i makhtut: Arabi, Farsi, Urdu , edited by M. al-Mahdi Jaafari (Delhi, 1360); A Catalogue of Arabic and Per-
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sian Medical Manuscripts in the Library of the Indian Institute of the History of Medicine and Medical Research , edited by Shabbir Ahmad Khan Ghawri, T. Siddiqi, and Syed Ausaf Ali, (New Delhi: The Institute, 1969). Works on the history or individual manuscripts in the Library: Isam Muhammad al-Shanti, al-Makhtutat al- Arabiyyah al-Hind (Kuwait: Ma had al-Makhtutat al- Arabiyyah, 1985), pp. 1315; ; David Pinault, An Investigation of Arabic and Persian Manuscripts in Selected Indian Libraries, Hamdard Islamicus 13, 2 (Summer 1990): 7475; Fihrist-i nuskhah ha-yi khatti-i Farsi-i Kitabkhanah-i Jamia Hamdard (New Delhi: Markaz-i Tahqiqat-i Farsi, Rayzani Farhangii Jumhuri-i Islami-i Iran, 1999). National Archives of India Library Janpath, New Delhi 110001
Website URL: http://nationalarchives.nic.in/
Introduction: Catalog(s): Catalogue of Manuscripts of the Fort William College Collection in the National Archives of India Library , edited by R. K. Perti, (New Delhi: The Archives, 1989); Descriptive List of Miscelleaneous Persian Documents, 1633-1867 , edited by R. K. Perti, (New Delhi: National Archives of India, 1992); Paul Sprachman, Photographing Islamic Manuscripts in India, South Asia Library Notes and Queries 13 (June 1982): 89. Guide to the Records in the National Archives of India , part III (B) Persian Department (17551888), (New Delhi: National Archives, 1979). Number of manuscripts: 100 National Museum of India Library Janpath, New Delhi 110001
Website URL: http://www.nationalmuseumindia.org/
Introduction: Evidently there are some Arabic script manuscripts in the collection, see Paul Sprachman, Photographing Islamic Manuscripts in India, South Asia Library Notes and Queries 13 (June 1982): 89, Isam Muhammad al-Shanti, al-Makhtutat al- Arabiyyah al-Hind (Kuwait: Ma had al-Makhtutat al- Arabiyyah, 1985), pp. 1011; Y. K. Bukhari, The Manuscript of Tuzuk-i Jahangiri in the National Museum, Islamic Culture 37 (1963): 283294; and Hans Daiber, New Manuscript
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Findings from Indian Libraries, Manuscripts of the Middle East 1 (1986): 2648. Works on the history or individual manuscripts in the Library: Barbara Schmitz and Nasim Akhtar, Important Illutrated Manuscripts in the National Musuem, New Delhi, Marg 53, 4 (June 2002): 5673. Zakir Husain College Library Ajmeri Gate Jawaharlal Nehru Road Delhi 110006 Introduction: The College is probably the oldest in Delhi. It began as the Madrasa of Ghazi al-Din Khan, a Mughal grandee, who founded the school in 1796. During the three centuries the Madrasa became Anglo-Arabic school and then Delhi College. It changed the name sometime after independence. David Pinault, An Investigation of Arabic and Persian Manuscripts in Selected Indian Libraries, Hamdard Islamicus 13, 2 (Summer 1990): 7375; Kabir Ahmad Jaysi, Diwan-i Haz : Ek Hindustani Shayir Haz ke Diwan ka ek Nadir Makhtutah, Ma arif (Azamgarh) September 1975: 21730. Zakir Husain Library Jamia Millia Islamiya Jamia Nagar New Delhi 110025 Website URL: http://jmi.nic.in/ZHL/Zhlibrary/htm Introduction: The Jamia Millia Islamiya itself was established in 1920 in Aligarh, then moved to Delhi in 1925. The library dates from 1972. Number of manuscripts: 2,500 Catalog(s): Shahabuddin Ansari, Fihrist-i makhtutat-i Farsi kitab khanahyi Jamia Daktar Zakir Husayn, Vahid (Tehran) 8, 11 (1973): 2 24; Fihrist-i nuskhah ha-yi khatti-i Farsi-i Kitabkhanah-i Duktur Zakir Husayn, Jamiah Milliyah-i Islamiyah (New Delhi: Markaz-i Tahqiqat-i Farsi, Rayzani Farhangi-i Jumhuri-i Islami-i Iran, 1999).
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Works on the history or individual manuscripts in the Library: Isam Muhammad al-Shanti, al-Makhtutat al- Arabiyyah al-Hind (Kuwait: Ma had al-Makhtutat al- Arabiyyah, 1985), pp. 1112; David Pinault, An Investigation of Arabic and Persian Manuscripts in Selected Indian Libraries, Hamdard Islamicus 13, 2 (Summer 1990): 75. Other Institutions Noor Microlm Center The Noor Microlm Center, named after Qadi Nur Allah Shustari (d. 1610), an Iranian-Indian theologian, and established in the 1980s, seeks to revive cultural realtions between India and Iran. To this end, it has begun an extensive program of cataloging and microlming of manuscripts. The moving spirit behind this eort is Dr. Mahdi Khwajapiri, an Iranian scholar resident since the 1980s in New Delhi. See the website http://www.Noormicrofilmindia.com. GUJARAT Ahmadabad Dargah Hazrat Pir Muhammad Shah Library Pir Muhammad Shah Road Pankore Naka Ahmadabad 380001 Introduction: The library is located within the precincts of the tomb-shrine complex of Pir Muhammad Shah, who was born in Bijapur in 1688 and migrated to Ahmadabad in 1711, where he died in 1749. An introduction is found in Muhammad Zuber Qureshi, The History of Hazrat Pir Muhammad Shah at Ahmadabad, Islam in India: Studies and Commentaries , vol. 2, edited by Christian W. Troll, (New Delhi: Vikas, 1985), pp. 282300 Catalog(s): Arabi, Farsi, Urdu Makhtut ki wadahati hrist , 5 vols., (Ahmadabad: Pir Muhammad Shah Dargah Sharif Trust, 1998. A review on this catalogue is found in Ma arif (Azamgarh) June 1998: 479480. Number of manuscripts: 2000 Works on the history or individual manuscripts in the Library: Shaykh Farid al-Din Burhanpuri, d. 1998, Kutub khanah-yi Dargah Hazrat Pir Muhammad Shah, Nawa-i Adab (October 1955); Mohamed
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Taher, Amin Ahmed Khan, and Muhammed Burhanuddin, Dargah Libraries in India: A Comparative Study, International Library Journal 18 (1986): 337345; Z. A. Desai, Some Rare Seal-Bearing Persian Manuscripts in the Hazrat P. M. Dargah Library, Indo-Iranica 46, l-lv (1993): 5273. Gujarat Vidya Sabha & B. J. Institute of Learning H. K. Arts College Campus Ashram Road Ahmadabad 380009 Introduction: Catalog(s): Descriptive Catalogue of Arabic and Persian Manuscripts: Gujarat Vidya Sabha Collection , edited by Chhotubhai Rancchodji Naik, (Ahmadabad: The Sabha, 1964). A Supplement to the Catalogue of the Persian and Arabic Manuscripts of B.J. Institute Museum , part III, (Ahmedabad: Institute of Learning and Research, 1989) Number of manuscripts: 416 in three collections. Other Collections: W. H. Siddiqi, The Huge Manuscript of the Holy Quran at Baroda, Journal of the Oriental Institute (Baroda) 33, 34 (March-June 1984): 34345. This copy of the Quran is located in Jama Masjid, Mandvi, Baroda. See the news item Unique Copy of the Holy Quran in Baroda Mosque, The Indian Express 9 June 1996; Maqsud Ahmad, Baroda main Mawjud ek Qurani Makhtutah, Burhan (Delhi) (May-June 1997): 3839; the same author reports of a manuscript of Firdawsis Shah Namah, see Shah Namah-yi Firdawsi ke ek Qalami Nuskhah, Jama Masjid Baroda main, Burhan (Delhi) (October 1997): 31. Two major dargah libraries are: Dargah Aliya Chishtiya, in Shah Bagh, Ahmadabad, and Dargah Aliya Mahdawiya, in Palanpur. A catalog of both libraries in being published by Noor Microlm Center, New Delhi. See the wesite http://www.Noormicrofilmindia.com. Some Persian manuscripts are also housed in M. S. Aparao Bholanath Library, Ahmadabad.
Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India Navsari First Dastur Meherji Rana Library Navsari Contact information may be had of Unesco House B 5/29 Safdar Jang Enclave New Delhi 110029 Website URL: http://www.unescoparzor.com/librar.hyml
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Introduction: Descriptive Catalogue of All Manuscripts in the First Dasture Meherji Rana Library , edited by B. N. Dhabar,(Bombay, 1923) Number of manuscripts: 145 Surat Al-Jam iat al-Sayyah Devdi Mubarak Zampa Bazaar P.O. Box 392 Surat 395003 Introduction: This Arabic Academy in Surat is the principal institution for the religious education and training of the Dawoodi Bohras. Established in 1814, it houses some of the most rare manuscripts of the Fatimid and Yemenite periods of Ismaili history. An introduction is found in http://members.tripod.comaliasgerrasheed/jamea.htm; and Al-Jamaea-tus-Saiyah Arabic Academy, Muslim India (December 1985): 556. Vadodara (new/old name of Baroda) Alawi Bohra Library Mazun al-Dawah al-Alawiyyah Al-Wazarat al-Alawiyyah Badri Mahalla Vadodara 390017 Introduction: Contains several hundred Ismaili manuscripts. Other Collections: Jamsheed Cawasji Katrak, Oriental Treasures: Being Condensed Tabular Descriptive Statement of Over 1,000 Mss. . . . in Iranian and Indian Languages . . . in Private Libraries of Parsis in Dierent Parts of Gujarat (Bombay, 1941)
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MELA Notes 7576 (Fall 2002Spring 2003) JAMMU AND KASHMIR Center for Central Asian Studies Research Library University of Kashmir Hazratbal, Srinagar 190006
Introduction: The Center is a unit within the University of Kashmir. Catalog(s): Fihrist-i makhtutat, Risarch librairi , edited by Ghulam Rasual Bat, (Srinagar: Center for Central Asian Studies, University of Kashmir, 1989) Jammu & Kashmir Islamic Research Center P.O. Nowshehra Srinagar 190001 Introduction: The Center was established in 1996 by Abdur Rahman Kondoo, a lawyer. Number of manuscripts: Several thousand. Works about the history or individual manuscripts in the library: Yoginder Sikand, A Man With a Mission, Milli Gazette 115 July 2002: 18. Research and Publications Department Government of Jammu and Kashmir Srinagar Introduction: An introduction is by Mohammad Ibrahim, Manuscript Material of the Mughal Period in the Research and Publications Department, Srinagar, pp. 522525, in Sources of the History of India , Vol. II, edited by S. P. Sen, (Calcutta: Institute of Historical Studies, 1979). Catalog(s): Fihrist-i nuskhah ha-yi khatti-i kitabkhanah-i shubah-i Tahqiq wa Ishaat, Kashmir . . . , edited by Syed Ahmad Husayni, (Delhi: Markazi Tahqiqat-i Zaban-i Farsi dar Hind, 1986); A Descriptive Catalogue of Persian Manuscripts in the Research and Publications [Department] Library , edited by Abdul Majid Matoo, (Srinagar: Center of Central Asian Studies, University of Kashmir, 1994).
Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India Sir Pratap Singh Museum Lalmandi Srinagar 190008
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Introduction: Mohammad Siddiq Niazmand, Persian Manuscripts in the S. P. S. Museum, Srinagar. Journal of Central Asian Studies (Srinagar) 7 (1996): 97100 16 manuscripts described. A news report, Mughal Era Qur an Stolen, Milli Gazette (115 Feb., 2004): 19, describes the theft, which occured in September 2003. KARNATAKA Archological Museum Bijapur 587138 Introduction: The Archological Museum contains artifacts relating to the Adil Shahi dynasty that ruled Bijpaur from 15181686. Catalog(s): Muhammd Abd Allah Chughtai, Makhtutat-i Aja ib khanah-yi Bijapur ki mukhtasir hrist, Burhan (September 1941): 201216; (October 1941): 293303. See also V. S. Sukthankar, Descriptive Catalogue of the Bijapur Museum of Archology , (Bombay: Government Central Press, 1928). Oriental Research Institute Mysore 570001 Introduction: Catalog(s): A Catalogue of Persian Manuscripts in Oriental Research Institute, Mysore , edited by Mir Mehmood Husine, (Delhi: Anjuman-e-Farsi, 1980). Other Collections: The Adil Shahi dynastys royal library was located in Bijapurs Athar Mahal, which is still extant. When the city came under the British rule in the late 18th century and became part of the Bombay Presidency, the library came to the attention of the colonial authorities. See Selections from the Records of the Bombay Government , no. XLI (New Series) 1856, pp. 213242. P. M. Joshis Ali Adil Shah and His Royal Librarian: Two Ruqas, Journal of the Bombay Branch of the Royal
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Asiatic Society 3132 (195657): 97107, is related to this library, as is K. S. K. Swamys The Royal Library of Bijapur, Islamic Culture 8 (1934): 115119. Finally, Salim al-Din Qureshi wrote an informative article about the librarys relocation to London in his The Royal Library of Bijapur, in Handbook of Libraries and Information System in India , vol. 9, pp. 165173, edited by B. M. Gupta, (Delhi: Aditya Prakashan, 1991). Qureshis article was previously published in Pakistan Library Bulletin 11, 34 (September-December 1980): 8393. It was also reproduced in Timeless Fellowship (Dharwad) 13/14 (1979 81): 8393. Evidently fragments of this library survived in Hyderabad, see Haydarabad men . . . Bijapur . . . ka Bimithal Kutubkhanah, p. 414, in Muhammad Fadils Jashn-i Uthmani , (Hyderabad, 1936?).
The library of Tipu Sultan, (175399), the ruler of Mysore met a fate similar to that of the Adil Shahi library. See Charles Stewart, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Oriental Library of the late Tipoo, Sultan of Mysore (Cambridge, 1809); Hidayat Hosain, The Library of Tipu Sultan, Islamic Culture 15 (1940): 139167; and S. C. Sutton, Guide to the India Oce Library , (London: India Oce Library, 1967). However, some portions of Tipus library was moved to Calcuttas Asiatic Society of Bengal in 1808, see the Asiatic Societys website:
http://www.indev.nic.in/asiatic/Library/index.htm
The well-known biographer of Tipu Sultan, Mahmud Khan Bangalori, d. 1958, wrote a book in Urdu entiled Tipu Sultan maa hrist-i kutub khanah-yi Tipu Sultan (Lahore: Gosha-yi Adab, 1959).
Libraries in dargahs, Islamic shrines are a special category, and should be looked at. A barest hint at the what is available in the dargahs is given in Annemarie Schimmel, Impressions from a Journey to the Deccan, Die Welt des Islams 20, 12 (1980): 104107; and Mohamed Taher, Amin Ahmed Khan, and Muhammed Burhanuddin, Dargah Libraries in India: A Comparative Study, International Library Review 18 (1986): 337345.
Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India MADHYA PRADESH Maulana Azad Central Library State Archives Old Secretariat Bhopal 462001
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Introduction: This is the private library of the former rulers of Bhopal, and named after Hamidullah Khan, the last Nawab. In 1955, the Library was renamed after Maulana Azad. See an early introduction by Sayyid Sulayman Nadwi, Kutub Khanah-yi Hamidiyah, Ma arif (Azamgarh) December 1936: 405411. In 2002, it moved from its location on Itwara Road to the present site. Catalog(s): Fihrist-i nuskhah ha-yi khatti-i kitabkhanah-i Hamidiyah-i Bhopal , edited by Syed Ahmad Husayni, (Delhi: Markaz-i Tahqiqat-i Zaban-i Farsi dar Hind, 1986); Fihrist-i makhtutat-i Farsi, Hamidiyah Library Bhopal (Patna: Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library, 1995), a typescript listing Arabic, Persian, and Urdu manuscripts in the present writers possession. National Archives of India Regional Oce Civil Lines Bhopal 462002 Introduction: Contains some Persian manuscripts. Sitamau, Mandsaur Shri Raghubir Sinh Library Shri Natnagar Shodh-Samsthan Sitamau, Mandsaur 458990 Introduction: Sitamau was a small principality headed by a Rathore/Rajput family. One of the princes, Maharaja Raghubir Sinh, 190891, collected a large collection of manuscripts. N.B. Roy, Raghubir Library, pp. 281285, in Essays Presented to Sir Jadunath Sarkar , vol. II, edited by Hari Ram Gupta, (Hoshiarpur: Dept. of History, Panjab University, 1958) Catalog(s): A Handlist of Important Historical Manuscripts in the Raghubir Library , edited by Raghubir Sinh, (Sitamau: The Library, 1949); A Cata-
34
logue of Persian Manuscripts and Records in the Shri Raghubir Library , edited by A. H. Nizami, (New Delhi:D.K. Publishers, 1993) Works about the Individual Manuscripts and the History of the Library: B. P. Ambashthya, Some Letters from Jaipur Records (Persian) in Sir Jadunath Sarkars Collection at Dr. Raghubir Sinhs Library, Indian Historical Records Commission Proceedings 35 (1960): 2330; 36, ii (1961): 99103; A. H. Nizami, Reminscence, pp. 149151 who cataloged the Persian manuscripts in the book Princely Historian: Commemoration volume of Maharajkumar Dr. Raghubir Sinh , edited by K. S. Rathore (Jaipur : Shri Natnagar Shodh-Samsthan, Sitamau, and Publication Scheme, 1994). Vikram Kirti Mandir Vikram University Scindia Oriental Manuscripts Library Ujjain 456010 Introduction: The library has a number of Arabic and Persian manuscripts. Catalogue of Oriental Manuscripts Collected till the End of March 1935 and Preserved in the Oriental Manuscripts Library, Ujjain (Gwalior, 1936) MAHARASHTRA Balapur, Akola Khanqah-i Naqshbandiyah Balapur, Akola 444302 Introduction: This is the private library of the Sajjada nashin of the shrine of Naqshbandi order of Sus. Catalog: Hadi Naqshbandi, List of Manuscripts of Shah Inayat Allah Library, Khuda Bakhsh Library Journal 107 (1997): 5970. Contains 278 Persian and Arabic manuscripts. Anjuman-i Islam Urdu Research Institute Karimi Library 92 DN Road Mumbai-400 001 Introduction: Belonging to and named after Qazi Abdulkarim of Porebandar (d. 1916), the Karimi Library has nearly 40 Arabic, Persian, and Urdu manuscripts. See the introduction by Hamid Allah Nadwi, Karimi Library, Nawa-i Adab (January 1950): 7379; Nizam al-Din Gorekar,
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Mashriqi Ulum ka ek Qadim Kutub Khanah, Burhan (Delhi) February 1981: 159-164. The library was founded in 1898, and now open only by special permission. A typescript listing 39 manuscripts is in the present writers collection. The Asiatic Society Town Hall Mumbai 400 023 Website URL: http://education.vsnl.com/asbl Introduction: The Society was established in 1804, as a branch of the Royal Asiatic Society in London. An introduction is by B. V. Joshi, Asiatic Society Library, pp. 8587, in Handbook of Libraries, Archives and Information Centers in India , vol. 9, edited by B. M. Gupta (New Delhi: Aditya Prakashan, 1991). Catalog(s): A. A. A. Fyzee, Descriptive List of the Arabic, Persian and Urdu Mss. in the Bombay Branch, Royal Asiatic Society, Journal of the Bombay Branch, Royal Asiatic Society 3 (1927): 143; A Descriptive Catalogue of the Fyzee Collection of Ismaili Manuscripts , edited by Moiz Goriwala, (Bombay: University of Bombay, 1965) Bharat Itihasa Samshodhaka Mandala 1321 Sadashivpeth Pune 411030 Introduction: Bharat Itihasa Samshodhaka Mandala center for Indian history was established in 1910. The center has Persian manuscripts and documents such as farmans, royal edicts relating to Indian history. An introduction is by B. M. Gupta, Bharat Itihasa Samshodhaka Mandala pp. 293 300, in Handbook of Libraries, Archives and Information Centers in India , vol. 9, edited by B. M. Gupta, (New Delhi: Aditya Prakashan, 1991). Catalog: Fihrist-i Makhtutat-i Kitab Khanah-yi Bharat Itihasa Samshodhaka Mandala, Khuda Bakhsh Library Journal 106 (1996): 218234. This article pertains to the collection of Dr. Abd al-Haq of Pune.
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Works on the history or individual manuscripts in the Library: Aftabi, Tar if-i Husain Shah, Badshah of Dakhan , edited by G. T. Kulkarni and M. S. Mate, (Pune: Bharat Itihasa Samsodhaka Mandala, 1987). K. R. Cama Oriental Institute 136 Bombay Samachar Road Fort, Mumbai 400023 Website URL: http://librar.vigyan.org.in/sndt/libvig/yp/pubbksl/pub Introduction: The K. R. Cama Oriental Institute is a Parsi institution and also houses the library of Mulla Firuz. Mulla Firuz, (d. 1833), visited Hyderabad during the time of Nizam Ali Khan, (17621803). He is mentioned in Laxmi Narayan Shaq Awrangabadis Gul-i Raana , according to Sayyid Shams Allah Qadiri, in his Makhtutat-i tarikhi (Karachi: Wahid Book Depot, 1967). See the introduction by M. F. Kanga and Kaikhusroo M. JamaspAsa Cama Oriental Institute, in Encyclopedia Iranica , (London: Routledge, 1982). Catalog(s): Catalogue raisonn e of the Arabic, Hindustani, Persian and Turkish Manuscripts in the Mulla Firuz Library , edited by Edward Rehatsek, (Bombay: Education Societys Press, 1873); Supplementary Catalogue of Arabic, Hindustani, Persian and Turkish Manuscripts . . . , edited by Syed Abdullah Brelvi, and B. N. Dhabhar, (Bombay, 1917); Authors Catalogue of Printed and Lithographed Books and Some Manuscripts of the Molla Feroze Library , (Bombay: Fort Printing Press, 1928) and A Catalogue of Mss. Belonging to the K. R. Cama Oriental Institute , edited by B. N. Dhabhar, (Bombay, 1917); Manuscripts Presented by Dr. Sir Jivanji Jamshedji Modi to the K. R. Cama Oriental Institute, Journal of the K. R. Cama Oriental Institute 31 (1937): 132155; Fihrist-i nuskhah ha-yi khatti-i Farsi-i Bambai: Kitabkhanahi Muassasah-i Kama, Ganjinah-i Manakji , edited by Sayyid Mahdi Gharavi, (Islamabad: Markaz-i Tahqiqat-i Farsi-i Iran wa Pakistan, 1986). Works about the history or individual manuscripts in the library: Nur al-Said Akhtar, Firdawsi-i Maharashtra: Mulla Firuz . . . Danish 56/57 (Bahar va Tabistan 1999): 230238; S. Mahdi Gharavi, Two Noteworthy Manuscripts of al-Birunis al-Tafhim, Islamic Culture 49, 4 (October 1975): 215-219.
Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India Forbes Gujarati Sabha Vithalbhai Patel Road Mumbai 400049
37
Introduction: The Forbes Gujarati Sabha was founded by a colonial administratorscholar, Alexander K. Forbes, (182165) in the 1860s for the promotion of western Indian studies. Catalog(s): Pharbasa Gujarati Sabha, Mumbaina Pharasi hastalikhita granthoni namavali , edited by Muhmmad Umar Kokil, (Bombay : The Sabha, 1950) catalogue of Persian manuscripts in Gujarati language and script. Jama Masjid Library Shaykh Memon Street Mumbai 400002 Introduction: The Jama Masjid was built in the early 19th century. The library forms part of the Madrasah-i Muhammadiyah, which began in 1903. See the introduction by Nizam al-Din Gorekar, Mashriqi Ulum ka ek Qadim Kutub Khanah, Burhan (Delhi) February 1981: 159164. Catalog(s): Fihrist-i Kutubkhanah-i Madrasah-i Muhammadiya mutalliq-i Jama Masjid Bombay, 1922); Descriptive Catalogue of Urdu Manuscripts , edited by Hamidullah Nadwi, (Bombay: Anjuman-i Islam Urdu Research Institute, 1956; reprinted in Nairobi, Kenya by K.U.R.C, 1990. Number of manuscripts: 1,200. Maratha History Museum Deccan College Postgraduate Research Institute Yervada Pune 411006 Introduction: The Museum houses the manuscripts of the old Satara Museum collection, which was transferred to the Deccan College in August 1939. It also holds the collection of historian D. B. Parsanis. An introduction is by B. M. Gupta, Deccan College Archives and Library, pp. 232238, in Handbook of Libraries, Archives and Information Centers in India , Vol. 9, edited by B. M. Gupta, (New Delhi: Aditya Prakashan, 1991).
38 Catalog(s):
Chand Husayn Shaykh, A Descriptive Hand List of Arabic, Persian and Hindustani Manuscripts Belonging to the Satara Historical Museum . . . Bulletin of the Deccan College Research Institute 4, 3 (1943): 246262. Number of manuscripts: 18 Works about the history or individual manuscripts in the library: Gulshan Khakee, Note on the Imam Shahi Mss at the Deccan College, Poona. Journal of the Asiatic Society (Bombay) n.s. 45 46 (1970): 143155; Muhammad Mahdi Tavvasuli, Maara muzah-i tarikhi-i Maratah, Danish (Islamabad) 5 (1997): 189197. Mumbai University Library University Road, Fort, Mumbai 400032 Introduction: The University of Mumbai dates from 1857, when it began as University of Bombay; the name was changed in the 1990s. Its library contains collections donated by families such as the Khatkhates, and scholars like Shaykh Abd al-Qadir Sarfaraz and Asaf Ali Asghar Fyzee. Catalog(s): A Descriptive Catalog of the Arabic, Persian and Urdu Manuscripts in the Library of University of Bombay , edited by Shaikh Abdul Qadir Sarfaraz, (Bombay: Dar al-Qayyimah Press, 1935); Sayyid Nawab Ali, Bambai University ki Fihrist-i Makhtutat, Ma arif (Azamgarh) July 1936: 4356; A Descriptive Catalogue of the Fyzee Collection of Ismaili Manuscripts , edited by M. Goriawala, (Bombay: University of Bombay, 1965); A. A. A. Fyzee, A Collection of Fatimid Manuscripts, pp. 209 220, in Comparative Librarianship:Essays in Honor of D. N. Marshall , edited by N. N. Gidwani, (New Delhi:Vikas, 1973). Works on the history or individual manuscripts in the Library: Shaykh Abdul Qadir Sarfaraz, Two Unique Persian Manuscripts in the University Library, Journal of the University of Bombay (Arts & Law) 2, 2, part 6 (May 1934): 113126, which refers to the diwans of Saib and Zuhuri of Bijapur; Muhammad Ali, Bambai University ke Chand Farsi Makhtutat, Ma arif (Azamgarh) March 1932: 201212; Abd al-Sattar Dalwi, Manajat bi-Dargah-i Qadi al-Hajat, Nawa-yi Adab (January 1965): 6974 on two manuscripts from the Khatkhate collection.
Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India Other Collections and Institutions
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The whereabouts of two collections are unknown, see, Fihrist-i Kitab Khanah mawsum bih Kashf al-Hajib dar Idarah-yi Mirza Khan Malik al-Kuttab Shirazi (Bomaby, 1900); and Muhammad Hamidullah, Literary Treasures of Aurangabad: Two Important Treasures of Manuscripts, Islamic Culture 16 (1942): 449456.
PANJAB Punjab State Archives & Library Baradari Gardens Patiala 1470001 Catalog(s): Fihrist-i nuskhah ha-yi khatti Farsi Kitabkhanah-ha-yi umumi va arshiv Patiala (New Delhi: Markaz-i Tahqiqat-i Farsi, Rayzani Farhangi-i Jumhuri-i Islami-i Iran, 1999). The collection of the Kapurthalla state may have been moved here, see A Descriptive Catalogue of Persian Manuscripts in the Kapurthalla State Library , edited by K. M. Maitra, (Lahore: Jijnadu Printing Works, 1921); Muhammad Sha, Khazain-i makhtutat-i Kitabkhanah-i Riyasat-i Kapurthalla, Oriental College Magazine 3, iv (August 1927): 6267; and 4, ii (1928): 14. Number of manuscripts: 287. Works on the history or individual manuscripts in the Library: V. S. Suri, Rajab Ali Manuscripts in the Punjab Government Record Oce, Indian Historical Records Commission Proceeding 29, ii (1953): 146152; J. S. Grewal, In the By Lanes of History: Some Persian Documents from a Punjab Town (Simla: Indian Institute of Advanced Study, 1975). Present conditions: See Jangveer Singh Playing with Punjabs Archival Records, Tribune (Chandigarh) 17 January 2003, and the same papers dated 29 January 2003, electronic edition: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003 /20030129/main9.htm. This is about the dispersal of the records and the library to dierent sites.
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MELA Notes 7576 (Fall 2002Spring 2003) Sikh History Research Department Khalsa College Amritsar 143005
Catalog(s): A Catalogue of Persian and Sanskrit Manuscripts in the Sikh History Research Department up till March 31, 1962 , edited by Kirpal Singh, (Amritsar: Khalsa College, 1962); A Catalogue of Punjabi and Urdu Manuscripts in the Sikh History Research Department up till March 31, 1963 , edited by Kirpal Singh, (Amritsar: Khalsa College, 1963). RAJASTHAN Arabic and Persian Research Institute Library Tonk 304001 Introduction: The library originated in the last quarter of the 19th century in the palace of Muhammad Ali Khan, the Nawab of Tonk. See the introduction by Shaukat Ali Khan, Arabic and Persian Research Institute, pp. 243250, in Handbook of Libraries, Archives and Information Centers , vol. 9, edited by B. M. Gupta, (New Delhi: Aditya Prakashan, 1991). Catalog(s): Catalogue of the Arabic Manuscripts , edited by Shaukat Ali Khan, 3 vols. (Tonk: The Institute,1980-91); Historical Heritage: A Bibliographical Survey of the Rare Manuscripts in the Arabic and Persian Research Institute Rajasthan , edited by Shaukat Ali Khan, (Tonk: The Institute, 1980); Khazain al-makhtutat , edited by Muhammad Imran Khan, 3 vols. (Tonk: The Institute, 1981) The catalog is in Urdu and describes the manuscripts in Arabic, Persian, & Urdu; Some Unpublished Historical Works of Arabic & Persian Research Institute, Tonk, Rajasthan, Journal: Arabic and Persian Research Institute Rajasthan 2 (1983): 8288; A Descriptive Catalogue of the Persian Manuscripts , 2 vols., edited by Shaukat Ali Khan, (Tonk: The Institute, 1986) Number of manuscripts: 3064 Works on the history or individual manuscripts in the Library: Riza Ali Abidi, Kitab khanah (Karachi: Saad Publications, 1985), pp. 6370; Kutub-i Zaban-i Pushtu dar Majmuah-i athar-i matbu va-makhtut Journal: Arabic and Persian Research Institute Rajasthan 4 (1985): 6990; Shaukat Ali Khan, A Rare Manuscript of
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Jami, Islamic Culture 47, 4 (October 1973): 327333; Abu al-Tayyib Abd al-Rashid, Kutub Khanah-yi Tonk ke Baaz Nadir Makhtutat, Ma arif (Azamgarh) February 1948: 130142; Sayyid Manzur al-Hasan Barakati, Tonk ke Do Qadim Kutub Khaneh, Ma arif (Azamgarh) (August 1959): 124135; Hakim Muhammad Imran Khan, Muin ibn Mahmud Kashmiri aur Sahih al-Bukhari ke Chand Nayab Nuskheh, Ma arif (Azamgarh) January 1984: 5968; Shaukat Ali Khan, Persian Manuscripts in an Indian Collection, pp. 417429, in The Making of Indo-Persian Culture: Indian and French Studies , edited by Muzaar Alam et al., (New Delhi: Manohar, 2000); Shaukat Ali Khan, Significant Manuscripts Relating to Hyderabad in Tonk, Salar Jung Museum Bi-Annual Research Journal 27/28 (199091): 1622; A Palace of Knowledge in Tonk, Radiance (1016 April 1994): 10 claims that the initially the number of manuscripts was 3064, and now has reached 90599; List of Arabic, Persian and Urdu Manuscripts in the Waziruddawlah Library, Basirat , Karachi, vol. 1, no. 1. Government Museum Old City Palace Alwar 301001 Introduction: The museum originated as the collection of Maharajas Jay Singh and Vinay Singh. Catalog(s): A Descriptive Catalogue of the Arabic Manuscripts in the Government Museum (Jaipur: Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Rajasthan, 1960) Works on the history or individual manuscripts in the Library: S. N. Sen, A Note on the Alwar Manuscript of Waqiat-i Babari, Islamic Culture 19 (1945): 270271. Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum City Palace Jaipur 302002 Introduction: Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum was established in 1959 from the collection of the Jaipur rulers.
42 Catalog(s):
Catalogue of Manuscripts in Maharaja of Jaipur Museum , edited by G. N. Bahura, (Jaipur: Maharaja Sawai Man Singh Memorial Series no. 1, 1971). Works on the history or individual manuscripts in the Library: David A. King, A Hand list of the Arabic & Persian Astronomical Manuscripts in the Maharaja Mansingh II Library in Jaipur, Journal for the History of Arabic Science 4 (1980): 8186; A. K. Das, Akbars Imperial Ramayana: A Mughal Manuscript, pp. 7384, in The Legend of Rama: Artistic Visions , edited by Vidya Dahejia, (Bombay: Marg, 1994); Hakim Sayyid Muhammad Ahmad Tonki, Kapdadvara Jaypur main Farsi Faramin, Ma arif (Azamgarh) October 1992: 260279. National Archives of India Record Center 10 Jhalan Doongri Institutional Area Jaipur 302017 Introduction: Contains some Persian records. Rajasthan State Archives Jaipur Introduction: This is the repository of state papers. Catalog(s): A Descriptive List of Farmans, Manshurs and Nishans addressed by the Imperial Mughals to the Princes of Rajasthan (Bikaner: Directorate of Archives, 1962); A Descriptive List of Vakil Reports addressed to the Rulers of Jaipus, vol. 1, Persian (Bikaner: Directorate of Archives, 1957). Saravasti Bhandar Library Sarasvati Bhavan Gulab Bagh Udaipur 313001 Introduction: The Saravasti Bhandar Library is the library of the a maharaja of Udaipur. Catalog: Catalogue of Manuscripts in the Library of the Maharana of Udaipur , edited by M. L. Menaria, (Udaipur, 1943). It is possible that Arabic script manuscripts of this collection have moved to Tonk, see Riza Ali Abidi, Kitab khanah , (Karachi: Saad Publications, 1985), pp. 66.
Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India TAMILNADU Government Oriental Manuscripts Library University of Madras Library Chennai 600005 Introduction:
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The Government Oriental Manuscripts library was established in 1869. See Kawish Badri, Qadim Tamilnadu aur Us ke Mawjudah Arabi Madaris aur Kutub Khaneh, Ma arif (Azamgarh) February 1994: Catalog(s): Catalogue of Oriental Manuscripts in the Government Library , 2 vols. (Madras: The Library, 1860); An Alphabetical Index of Manuscripts in the Government Oriental Mss. Library, Madras: Sanscrit, Telugu, Tamil, Kanarese, Malayalam, Maharathi, Uriya, Arabic, Persian and Hindustani , (Madras, 1893); A Descriptive Catalogue of the Islamic Manuscripts in the Government Oriental Manuscripts Library , edited by T. Chandrasekharan and others, 4 vols. (Madras: The Library, 1929-1961); An Alphabetical Index of Urdu, Arabic and Persian Manuscripts in the Government Oriental Manuscripts Library , edited by T. Chandrasekharan and others (Madras: The Library, 19391981). Number of manuscripts: 536. Works on the history or individual manuscripts in the Library: Sayyid Amir Hasan Abidi, Diwan-i Qublan Bayg ke ek Aham Makhtutah, Ma arif (Azamgarh) (September 1978): 215220; Isam Muhammad al-Shanti, al-Makhtutat al-Arabiyya al-Hind (Kuwait: Ma had Makhtutat al-Arabiyya, 1985), pp. 2829; Ubayd Allah, Qadi Irtida Ali Khan Gopamau, Ma arif (Azamgarh) (November 1995): 388391. Amanati Kutub Khanah-i Khandan-i Sharaf al-Mulk Kutub Khanah-yi Madrasah-i Muhammadi Kutub Khanah-yi Rahmaniya Shams al-Ulama Qazi Ubayd Allah Oriental Library 123 T.T. Krishnamachari Road Chennai 600014 Introduction: These four private libraries belong to the Nawait families of Chennai and Hyderabad. An introduction to these libraries is found in Yadgar Number bi-Taqrib-i Jashn-i Sad Sala , Madrasah-i Muhammadi, Madras, 1989.
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Catalog(s): Amanati Kutub khanah-yi khandan-i Sharaf al-Mulk , edited by Muhammad Ghaus and Afdal al-Din Iqbal (Chennai: Madrasah-i Muhammadi, 1989); Kutub khanah-yi Rahmaniya (Madras) ke Urdu makhtutat , edited by Muhammad Ghaus, (Madrasah-i Muhammadi, 1989); Shams al-ulama Qazi Ubayd Allah Oriyantal Laibreri ke Urdu makhtutat , edited by Muhammad Ghawth and Afdal al-Din Iqbal (Chennai: Madrasah-i Muhammadi, 1989). Works about the history or individual manuscripts in the Library: See Annemarie Schimmel, Impressions from a Journey to the Deccan, Die Welt des Islams 20, 12 (1980): 104, for her impressions of the Madrasa-i Muhammadiya collection Isam Muhammad alShanti visited the Sharaf al-Mulk Library, Rahmaniya Library, and the Madrasa-i Muhammadiya Library during his trip to India in 1984; see al-Makhtutat al-Arabiyya al-Hind , (Kuwait: Ma had Makhtutat alArabiyya, 1985), pp. 2834; Nur al-Said Akhtar, Fath namah-yi Mahmud Shahi par ek tahqiqi nazar, Ma arif (July 1991): 2656 This article is about a Persian manuscript relating to the Bahmani Empire, which was published by Abu Hashim Sayyid Yushaa, but Akhtar was unaware of it; Salah al-Din Muhammad Ayyub, Madrasah-i Muhammadi ke Amanati Kutub Khanah main Funun-i Harb ke Risalaon ka ek Majmuah, Burhan (Delhi) (June 1969): 401411; Jalaluddin, al-Aqd al-Madhab Tabaqat Hamlat al-Madhab: Ek Qadim Arabi Makhtutah, Ma arif (Azamgarh) (May 1975): 36982 belonging to Mawlana Khalilullah Madrasi of Hyderabad; Ubayd Allah, Kutub Khanah-yi Madrasah-yi Muhammadi main Mulla Abd al-Ali Bahr alUlum ki Tasnifat, Ma arif (Azamgarh) (February 1995): 133127. Tamilnadu Archives and Historical Research Center 2829, Gandhi Irwin Road Egmore, Chennai 600 008 Introduction: The Tamilnadu Archives and Historical Research Center archives contains the state papers of the Nawabs of Arkat-Karnatak in Persian and manuscripts in Persian, Urdu and Arabic; see Kawish Badri, Qadim Tamilnadu aur us ke Mawjudah Arabi Madaris aur Kutub Khaneh, Ma arif (Azamgarh) (February 1994): 135. Catalog(s):7
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The whereabouts of the manuscripts noted in the section below is undertain
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A Catalogue raisonne of Oriental Manuscripts in the Library of the Late College of Fort Saint George , edited by W. Taylor, 3 vols., (Madras, 1857-1862); Kutub Khanah-yi Ahl-i Islam, Fihrist-i Kutub mawjuda-yi Kutub Khanah-yi Aam Ahl-i Islam , (Madras, 1916; and Damima, dated 1924) which identies 3352 Arabic, Persian and Urdu manuscripts. See the introduction to this library by Kawish Badri, Qadim Tamilnadu aur Us ke Mawjudah Arabi Madaris aur Kutub Khaneh, Ma arif (Azamgarh) February 1994: 136137; Edward Charles Thawtes, Dakani Manuscripts Containing 50 Specimens of Hindustani Hand-Writing, produced in Facsimile , (Madras: Addison, 1892). See also T. S. Rangarayan, The Persian Records in the Tamil Nadu Archives, Quarterly Review of Historical Studies 9 (1969 70): 205214. UTTAR PRADESH Aligarh Maulana Azad Library Aligarh Muslim University Aligarh, 202002 U.P. Website URL: http://www.amu.ac.in/library.htm Introduction: The Maulana Azad Library was established with the personal collection of Sayyid Ahmad Khan, the universitys founder in 1877. The present building dates from 1960. See the introduction by Noorul Hasan Khan, Maulana Azad Library, pp. 205208, in Handbook of Libraries, Archives and Information Centers in India , vol. 9, edited by B. M. Gupta (Delhi: Aditya Prakashan, 1991). Another introduction is found in Muhammad Abd al-Shahid Khan, Mawlana Azad Library, Burhan (Delhi) (October 1973): 4172; and Burhan (Delhi) November 1973: 6061. The library is divided into many major collections named after the donors. Catalog(s): Fihris al-Makhtutat al- Arabiyyah bi-Jamiat al-islamiyyah Aligarh , edited by Muhmmad Mazharuddin Siddiqi (London: al-Furqan Foundation, 2002); Fihrist-i Subhan Allah Oriental Library Muslim University Aligarh nusakh qalami Arabi, Farsi, wa Urdu , edited by Iman Kamil Husayn, 2 vols. (Aligarh, 1931-1932); Sayyid Shams Allah Qadiri, Yadasht-i Makhtutat-i tarikhi (Hyderabad: Ahmadiya Press, 1939; Karachi: Wahid Book Depot, 1967) on the Habibganj, Subhan Allah, and Sayyid Ahmad Khan collections in the AMU Library;
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Fihrist-i numaish gah-mukhtutat wa nawadir , edited by Mukhtar al-Din Ahmad, (Aligarh, 1953); Mukhtar al-Din Ahmad Fihrist-i makhtutati Arabi, Farsi, wa Urdu, zakhirah-i Ahsan Marahrawi Lytton Library, Oriental College Magazine 32, I (1955): 2526; Qaiymat makhtutat Aligarh, Sahifat al-Maktabah al-Amir al-Muminin al-Ammah , Najaf (1964): 4550; Catalogue of the Manuscripts added to the Maulana Azad Library , 19701972, edited by M. H. Razvi and S. A. K. Ghori, (Aligarh, 1973); Catalogue of Manuscripts in the Maulana Azad Library during 19701977 , pt 1: Persian manuscripts, edited by M. H. Razvi and M. H. Qaisar Amrohawi, (Aligarh, 1980); Catalogue of Manuscripts in the Maulana Azad Library , 2 vols. (Aligarh, 19811985) In two volumes, the following collections have been covered: Aftab, Habibgunj, Shifta, and Islamic sciences, history, biography; Hans Daiber, New Manuscript Findings from Indian Libraries, Manuscripts of the Middle East 1 (1986), pp. 2648; Fihrist-i mikrulm-i nuskhah ha-yi khatti-i Farsi wa Arabi Danishgah-i Aligarh , (New Delhi: Markaz-i Mikulm-i Nur, 2000); Mirat al-tassawuf , edited by S. M. H. Razvi and M. H. Qaisar Amrohawi (Aligarh, 1985); Catalogue of Manuscripts in the Nizami Collection at the Maulana Azad Library , compiled by Jalal Abbas Abbasi (Delhi: Idarah-i Adabiyat-i Delli, 2001)
Works on the history or individual manuscripts in the Library:
On the Habibganj collection, see the series of articles by its owner, Nawab Sadr Yar Jang, Ur Shirazi ke Farsi ke Do Nayab Diwan, Ma arif (Azamgarh) (November 1922): 34556; Habibganj ka Kutub Khanah Kis Tarah Jamaa Huwa? Ma arif (Azamgarh) (October 1931): 295300; Kutub Khanah-yi Habibganj ki Fihrist ka Goshwara, Ma arif (Azamgarh) (September 1932): 210212; Shahi Kutub Khanon Kit Kitaben Habibganj main, Ma arif (Azamgarh) (August 1937): 96109; Rubaiyat-i Sihabi Naja ka Qalami Nuskhah, Ma arif (Azamgarh) (January 1941): 1623. Articles by others include, Abda l-Ghafur, Kutub Khanah-yi Habibganj ke Fan-i Tarikh ke Chand Nawadir, Ma arif (Azamgarh) (June 1937): 445450; M. A. M. The Treasure of the Habibgunj Library, Islamic Culture 15 (1942): 465497; Sayyid Badr al-Din Alawi, Kutub Khanah-yi Habibganj, Ma arif (Azamgarh) (December 1948): 46168; Ishrat Ali Qureshi, The Maulana Azad Library 18771988 , (Aligarh: Anwar Publishing House, 1989).
Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India Other Collections:
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Abd al-Hamid Khan, Kitab Khanah-yi Academy of Islamic Research, All India Muslim Educational Conference, Kitab Khanah-yi Sultan Jahan Manzil, Aligarh, Ma arif (Azamgarh) (October 1946): 276293. The Jawahir Museum of Etawah manuscripts were donated to the Azad Library, see Tadhkirah-yi Jawahar Zawahar , edited by Muhammad Abrar Husayn Faruqi (Etawah: Jawahar Museum, 1959); Riyazurrahman Khan Sherwani, Khatib Baghdadi ke Baad Makhtutat, Ma arif (November 1988): 37481; Ma arif (Azamgarh) (December 1978): 43743; copies of some of Baghdadis manuscripts are also available in AP State Oriental Manuscripts Library in Hyderabad according to this author. Muhammad Nazir Ahmad, Farsi ke Char Nayab Tazkire, Ma arif (Azamgarh) (July 1957): 2438, includes Sham-i Ghariban by Laxmi Narayan Shaq Awrangabadi. Hakim Sayyid Zill al-Rahman Library Ibn Sina Academy of Medieval Medicine and Sciences Tijara House, Dodhpur Aligarh, UP 202002 Website URL: http://www.medbeats.com/iamms Introduction: The Hakim Sayyid Zill al-Rahman Library was founded on 1 March 2000 and formally inaugurated on 20 April 2001. It was established by Professor Hakim Sayyid Zillur Rahman of Aligarh Muslim University. Number of Manuscripts: 400 Catalog(s): Fihrist-i mikurlm nuskhah-ha-yi Farsi wa Arabi kitab khanah-yi Hakim Sayyid Zil al-Rahman , edited by Mahdi Khawajah piri (New Delhi: Noor Microlms, 2001). ALLAHABAD Uttar Pradesh State Regional Archives Library 53 Mahatma Gandhi Road Allahabad 211011 Introduction: Like archives in other states, Uttar Pradesh State Regional Archives Library is a depository of state papers, but also contains some manuscripts. See the introduction by S. N. Sinha, UP State Archives,
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pp. 398415, in Handbook of Libraries, Archives and Information Centers in India , edited by B. M. Gupta, (New Delhi: Aditya Prakashan, 1991). Catalog(s): An Alphabetical Index of Persian, Arabic and Urdu Mss in the Uttar Pradesh State Archives, edited by Jalaluddin & L.K. Nagar, (Allahabad: State Archives of Uttar Pradesh, 1968). Allahabad Museum Motilal Nehru Park Kamala Nehru Road Allahabad 211002 Catalog(s): Catalogue of the Reference Library of the Provincial Museum , edited by G. D. Ganguli (Allahabad, 1892). Appendix II of the catalogue has a Classied List of the Arabic, Persian and Urdu Manuscripts, edited by M. Chhotilal. Other collections: A number of other institutions in Allahabad such as Ganganath Jha Research Institute, Allahabad University, and Daira Shah Ajmal seem to have Arabic script manuscripts; see David Pinault, An Investigation of Arabic and Persian Manuscripts in Selected Indian Libraries, Hamdard Islamicus 13, 2 (Summer 1990): 7273. AZAMGARH Dar al-Musannin Shibli Academy P.O. Box 19 Azamgarh, U.P. 276001 Introduction: The Shibli Academy Library was established on 21 November 1914, three days after the death of Maulana Shibli Numani, a leading scholar. It moved to the present premises in 1927. See the introduction by Abd al-Majid Nadwi, Nawadirat wa Makhtutat-i Dar al-Musannin Azamgarh, Burhan (Delhi) (October 1969): 4653. Number of manuscripts: 520 (192 Arabic, 318 Persian, 10 Urdu), according to World Survey , p. 428. See Ma arif 102: 373.
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Works on the history or individual manuscripts in the Library: Abd al-Majid Nadwi, Masnawi Futuh al-Haramayn ka ek Qadim Qalami Nuskhah, Burhan (Delhi) (January 1969): 5464; Diya alDin Islahi, Kutub Khanah-yi Dar al-Musannin ka ek Makhtutah, Ma arif (Azamgarh) (September 1995): 215230; Sayyid Yahya Nishat, Dar al-Musannin ke Urdu Makhtutat, Ma arif (Azamgarh) (May 1996): 377395. DEOBAND Dar al-Ulum Library Deoband 247554 Introduction: The Dar al-Ulum was established in 1866. Catalog(s): Taaruf-i makhtutat-i Kutubkhanah Dar al-Ulum , edited by Muhammad Zar al-Din (Deoband: Dar al-Ulum, 2 vols., 1969-1972. LUCKNOW General: As the seat of the Lucknow nawabs who ruled the Avadh region between 17271856, many collections came into being, most notably the rulers own. It was described by the Austrian scholar, Aloys Sprenger, 18131893: See Catalogue of the Arabic, Persian and Hindustani Manuscripts of the Libraries of the King of Oudh (Calcutta, 1854, reprinted 1979). It is probably the rst catalogue of an Arabic, Persian, and Urdu manuscripts published in India. The collection was moved to Calcutta when in 1856, the ruler Wajid Ali Shah was exiled to Calcutta. See the following works of Sprenger, Report on the Researches into the Muhammadan Libraries (Calcutta, 1896) and Uber eine Handschrift des ersten Bandes des Kit ab T abaq a t al-Kabyr vom Sekret ar . des W aqidy, Zeitschrift der Deutschen Morgenl andischen Gesellschaft 3 (1849): 45056. An Urdu translation is entitled Shahan-i Awadh ke Kutub Khaneh , was produced by Muhammad Ikram Chaghatai, (Karachi: Anjuman-i Taraqqi-i Urdu, 1973). On Sprenger himself, see Austrian Scholarship in Pakistan: A Symposium Dedicated to the Memory of Aloys Sprenger , (Islamabad: Austrian Embassy, 1997). For accounts of Lucknow libraries see, Said Nasi, Nuskhah-ha-yi khatti-i kitab-ha-yi Farsi wa Arabi dar Lucknow, Namah-i Tamaddun 2 (1931): 1116; Muhammad Hadi al-Amini, Makhtutat Lucknow, Sahifat al-Maktabah al-imam al-Amir al-Muminin 2 (1964):
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1736; Shah Abd al-Salam, Awadh ke Kutub Khaneh: Mazi aur Hal, Rampur Raza Library Journal 89 (20012002): 303308. Private collections include those of Indian Air Force Wing Commander R. R. Kidwais collection at his home 2/3 23 New Hyderabad, Lucknow, as cited in Khuda Bakhsh Library Journal 49 (1989): 9194. The private collection of Sayyid Taqi of Lucknow is described by Muhammad Salim Qidwai in his article, Shaykh Mubarak ki Tafsir ka Qalami Nuskhah, Ma arif (Azamgarh) (February 1976): 15259. Near Lucknow is the district Hardoi, where there is/was the Library of the Muftis of Gopamau, also known as the Wala Jah Museum and Library; see M. Ansari, Gopamau Collection of Persian, Arabic, and Urdu Manuscripts, India History Congress Proceedings 32, ii (1970): 430434 and Malik Ram, Rumuz-i Kutub Khanah-yi Muftiyan-i Gopamau, Khuda Bakhsh Library Journal 5152 (1989): 553579, and a rejoinder by Malik Ram in the same journals page 580. In Saray Mirs Madrasah-yi Islahs central library is located a small collection of manuscripts; see Sarfaraz Ahmad, Kifayat al-Muntaha: ek Nadir wa Nayab Makhtutah, Ma arif (Azamgarh) (October 1989): 301306 and Riyazuddin Ahmad Khan, Chhar Gulshan: Tarikh-i Hind ka ek Makhtutah, Ma arif (Azamgarh) (September 1990): 217225. See also the news report by Obaid Nasir, Treasures Lost Forever, Milli Gazette (1631 May 2003) regarding a devestating re on 21 April 2003 which burnt down a number of stores housing manuscripts. Amir al-Dawlah Government Public Library Qaysar Bagh Lucknow 226001 Introduction: Amir al-Dawlah Government Public Library was built in 1921. See the introduction by Shah Abd al-Salam, Amir al-Dawlah Public Library: Ek Taaruf, Rampur Raza Library Journal 67 (20012002): 294297. Catalog(s): Fihrist-i Makhtutat-i Amir ad-Dawlah Public Library , edited by Muhammad Shaq Muradabadi & Nusrat Nahid (Delhi, 2000) and Hans Daiber, New Manuscript Findings from Indian Libraries, Manuscripts of the Middle East 1 (1986): 2648. Works about the history or individual manuscripts in the Library: Muhammad Harun al-Nadawi, Fihrist al-makhtutat al-Arabiya alMaktabah al-Ammah bi-Madinat Lucknow al-Hindiyyah, Akhbar al-
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Turath al-Arabi 11 (Kanun-al-ThaniShubbat 1984): 20; David Pinault, An Investigation of Arabic and Persian Manuscripts in Selected Indian Libraries, Hamdard Islamicus 13, 2 (Summer 1990): 7980. Kutubkhanah-yi Nasiriya Nadan Mahal Road Shastri Nagar Lucknow 226003 Introduction: Nadwis Union Number of manuscripts: 30,000 Catalog(s): Muhammad Harun al-Nadwi, Maktabah Nasiriya, Sahifat alMaktabah al-imam al-Amir al-Muminin 2 (1964): 1426; Hans Daiber, New Manuscript Findings from Indian Libraries, Manuscripts of the Middle East 1 (1986): 2648. Madrasat al-Waizin 16 Canning Street Lucknow 226003 Introduction: Madrasat al-Waizin is the seminary that trains Shia clerics and was founded in 1919 by the Raja of Mahmudabad. Number of manuscripts: 529 Works on the history or individual manuscripts: David Pinault, An Investigation of Arabic and Persian Manuscripts in Selected Indian Libraries, Hamdard Islamicus 13, 2 (Summer 1990): 7980. Nadwat al-Ulama Library P.O. Box 93 Lucknow 226007 Introduction: Nadwat al-Ulama is a leading Islamic seminary founded in 1884 and celebrated its hundredth anniversary in 1984. An introduction is by Mohamed Taher, Madrasa Libraries in India: A Case Study of Nadwat al-Ulama, Lucknow, pp. 112127, in Handbook of Libraries, Archives and Information Centers in India , vol. 9, edited by B. M. Gupta (New Delhi: Aditya Prakashan, 1991).
52 Catalog(s):
Fihrist-i nuskhah ha-yi khatti-i Arabi-i kitabkhanah-i Nadwat alUlama , edited by Sayyid Ahmad Husayni (New Delhi: Markazi Tahqiqat-i Farsi, 2 vols., 1986); Hans Daiber, New Manuscript Findings from Indian Libraries, Manuscripts of the Middle East 1 (1986): 2648; David Pinault, An Investigation of Arabic and Persian Manuscripts in Selected Indian Libraries, Hamdard Islamicus 13, 2 (Summer 1990): 81; Al-makhtutat al- Arabiyyah maktabat Nadwat al-Ulama, al-Mawsim 2 (1990): 268284. Raja of Mahmudabad Library Mahmudabad House Qaysar Bagh Lucknow 226001 Introduction: This collection belongs to the former noblemen of the Raja of Mahmudabad family. Catalog(s): Fihrist-i nuskhah ha-yi khatti-i kitabkhanah-i rajah-i Mahmudabad , edited by Mahdi Khawajah Piri (Delhi: Markaz-i Tahqiqat-i Farsi, Rayzani Farhangi-i Sifarat-Jumhuri-i Islami, Iran, 1990). Works on the history or individual manuscripts: David Pinault, An Investigation of Arabic and Persian Manuscripts in Selected Indian Libraries, Hamdard Islamicus 13, 2 (Summer 1990): 79. Sultan al-Madaris Lucknow 226003 Introduction: The Sultan al-Madaris is another Shia religious seminary. Works on the history or individual manuscripts: David Pinault, An Investigation of Arabic and Persian Manuscripts in Selected Indian Libraries, Hamdard Islamicus 13, 2 (Summer 1990): 79-80.
Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India Tagore Library University of Lucknow Lucknow 226007 Website URL: http://members.tripod.com/ TagoreLibrary/ Introduction:
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The University started out as Canning College. Its library is named after the Bengali poet Rabindranatha Tagore. Catalog(s): Catalogue of Oriental Manuscripts in the Lucknow University Library , edited by Kali Prasad (Lucknow: Ram Kumar Press, 1951). Works on the history or individual manuscripts: David Pinault, An Investigation of Arabic and Persian Manuscripts in Selected Indian Libraries, Hamdard Islamicus 13, 2 (Summer 1990): 79. Number of manuscripts: 170 RAMPUR Rampur Raza Library Hamid Manzil Rampur 244901 Website URL: http://www.razalibrary.com Introduction: The library was founded in the late 18th century by the Nawab Fayz Allah Khan. A formal introduction is by H. R. Sood, Rampur Raza Library, pp. 95-97, in Handbook of Libraries, Archives and Information Centers in India , Vol. 9, edited by B. M. Gupta (New Delhi: Aditya Prakashan, 1991). Earlier introductions include, Qazi Ahmad Miyan Akhtar Jungarhi, Kutub Khanah-yi Rampur, Ma arif (Azamgarh) (March 1929): 192204; Sayyid Hashim Nadwi, Rampur aur Lucknow ke Mashriqi Kutub Khanon ke Sayr aur Us ki Rudad, Ma arif (Azamgarh) (October 1929): 253271. Catalog(s): Fihrist-i kutub-i Arabi-i mawjudah-i Kutubkhanah-riyasat-i Rampur , edited by Muhammad Ajmal Khan, 2 vols., (Rampur: Ahmadi Press, 1902-1928); Catalogue of Arabic Manuscripts in Raza Library , edited by Imtiyaz Ali Kahn Arshi, 6 vols., (Rampur: The Library, 19631977) a review of some of the volumes appeared in the Bulletin
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of the School of Oriental and African Studies 29, 3 (1966): 669670 and in the same journals volume 30, 2 (1966): 446; Hans Daiber, New Manuscript Findings from Indian Libraries, Manuscripts of the Middle East 1 (1986): 2648; Fihrist-i nuskhah ha-yi khatti-i Farsi-i Kitabkhanah i Raza Rampur (Rampur: The Library, 1996). Number of manuscripts: 11,993 Works on the history or individual manuscripts in the Library: W. H. Siddiqi, Rampur Raza Library: Monograph (Rampur: The Library, 1998); Raza Library ki ilmi Wirasat , edited by Sayyid Hasan Abbas (Rampur: The Library, 1996); Raza Library Journal: Hindustan men ulum-i mashriqiya ki raftar-i tarraqi ka tarjuman , published since 1989. For an obituary of the librarys best known director see Mawlana Imtiyaz Ali Khan Arshi, Hamdard Islamicus 4, 2 (Summer 1987): 101 103. A festschrift presented to him entitled Nadhr-i Arshi was edited by Malik Ram and published in 1965. On individual manuscripts see, Qazi Ahmad Miyan Akhtar Junagarhi, Diwan-i Nizami ke Qalami Nuskheh, Ma arif (Azamgarh) (January 1929): 5356; Sadr Yar Jang, Sahih Muslim ke ek Qalami Nuskhah, Ma arif (Azamgarh) (March 1929): 192204; Imtiyaz Ali Khan Arshi, Umar Khayyam ka ek Nadir Nuskhah, Ma arif (Azamgarh) (October 1930): 264276 and Ma arif (December 1930): 440441; Hakim Muhammad Husayn Khan Shifa, Kutub Khanah-yi Rampur ka ek Mualijati Qalami Tazkirah, Ma arif (Azamgarh) (June 1983): 442-456; W. H. Siddiqi, Rampur Raza Library main Hyderabad se Mutaliq Makhtutat, Salar Jung Museum Bi-Annual Research Journal 3334 (199697): 1519. Present conditions: Jahanara Habibullah, Raza Library, Rampur, pp. 4244, in her Glimpses of a Prince State Rampur During the Raj , translated by Tahira Naqvi (Karachi: Oxford University Press, 2001) in this book the author claims that the collection of the Nawab of Loharu was also added to the Raza Library; Rudderless Raza Library, Milli Gazette 115 (October 2000): 9 on the vacancy of the library director the Library is presently [Spring 2004] headed by an Ocer on Special Duty (OSD) appointed by the U. P. Governor; Rampur Raza Library: Recent Developments, The Hindustan Times 4 October 1998, as reproduced in Muslim India 191 (November 1998): 520; Purnima Sharma, The Rampur Raza Library: A Priceless Collection, The Hindustan Times 11 November 1994, as reproduced in Muslim India 147 (March 1995): 128; Riza Ali Abidi, Kutub Khanah , (Karachi: Saad Publica-
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tions, 1985), pp. 4854; Government Announces Inquiry into Alleged Loss of Manuscripts from Reza Library, Muslim India (April 1984): 189; Fatimeh Razaqui, A Ruinous Threat to the Treasures of Raza, Arabia (January 1984): 7273; Paul Sprachman, Photographing Islamic Manuscripts in India, South Asia Library Notes and Queries 14 (November 1982): 67; S. M. Imamuddin, A Visit to the Rampur State Library, Islamic Culture 21 (1947): 360368; Said Nasi, Kitab-ha-yi muhim dar kitabkhanah-i Riyasat-i Rampur, Payam-i Nau 9 (1951): 4962; Sahifat al-Maktabah al-imam al-Amir al-Muminin al-Ammah 2 (1964): 5661. Saulat Public Library Rampur, U.P. 244901 Introduction: The Saulat Public Library was founded by Sawlat Ali Khan, a bibliophile and politician (18941969) in 1934. An introduction to the library is by Sayyid Nadhr al-Hasan Qadiri, Sawlat Public Library ke Pachas Baras (Rampur: The Library, 1992) Catalog(s): Catalogue of Persian and Arabic Manuscripts of Saulat Public Library , edited by Abid Riza Bedar, (Rampur, 1966).
VARANASI Banaras Hindu University Library Varanasi 221005 Introduction: The Banaras Hindu University Library was established in 1918 and moved to the present building in 1932. Catalog(s): A Descriptive Catalogue of Persian Manuscripts in the Benaras Hindu University , edited by Amrit Lal Ishrat, (Varanasi: Benaras Hindu University Press, 1965) Number of manuscripts: 1,111 (134 Arabic, 936 Persian, some Turkish, 140 Urdu)
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MELA Notes 7576 (Fall 2002Spring 2003) WEST BENGAL The Asiatic Society Library 1 Park Street Kolkata 700016
Website URL: http://www.indev.nic.in/asiatic/Library/index.htm Introduction: The Asiatic Society Library was founded in 1784. One of the earliest gifts received was from the Seringapatam Committee, which sent portions of Tipu Sultans library to the Society in 1808. Among the Arabic script manuscripts collections are those of Nawab Aziz Jang of Hyderabad and the Fort William College library. An introduction is by A. M. Fazle Kabir, Asiatic Society of Bengal, pp. 177194, in Libraries, Archives and Information Centers in India , vol. 9, edited by B. M. Gupta, (New Delhi: Aditya Prakashan, 1991). I have not seen the following book, which may have to do with a library in Kolkata: An Entire and Correct Editon of the Five Books upon Arabic Grammar which together with the principles of Inection in the Arabic Language . . . Carefully collated with the Most Ancient and Accurate Manuscripts which could be found in India , by John Bailllie, 3 vol. (Calcutta, 1802 1805). The collection of Mughal noble, which the Library inherited, is discussed by Haz Nazir Ahmad, Abd al-Rahim Khan-i Khanan aur Iss ka Kutub Khanah . . . Ma arif (Azamgarh) (November 1924): 339350 and (December 1924): 415430. Catalog(s): Fihrist-i kutub-i qalami wa matbuat-i kutubkhanah-i Asiatic Society , edited by Zahir Ali (Calcutta, 1837); Aloys Sprenger, Catalogue of the Arabic, Persian and Hindustani Manuscripts of the Libraries of the King of Oudh (Calcutta: Baptist Mission Press, 1854, reprinted 1979); Catalogue of Persian Books and Manuscripts in the Library of the Asiatic Society , edited by Mirza Ashraf Ali (Calcutta: Baptist Mission Press, 1890); Catalogue of Persian Books and Manuscripts in the Library of the Asiatic Society , edited by Mirza Ashraf Ali, (Calcutta: Baptist Mission Press, 1895); Catalogue of Arabic Books and Manuscripts in the Library of the Asiatic Society , edited by Mirza Ashraf Ali, 2 vols. (Calcutta: Baptist Mission Press, 18991904); Catalogue of Arabic and Persian Books and Manuscripts in the Library of the Asiatic Society , edited by Kamaluddin Ahmad and Abdul Muqtadir (Calcutta: The Bengal Secretariat Book Depot, 1905); List of Arabic and Persian Manuscripts Acquired . . . by the Asiatic Society
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of Bengal during 19031907 , edited by M. Hidayat Hosain (Calcutta, 1908); List of Arabic and Persian Manuscripts Acquired . . . by the Asiatic Society of Bengal during 19081910 , edited by N. Ahmad and H. Razawi (Calcutta, 1911); Author Catalogue of the Hyderabad Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Books , edited by William Jones (Calcutta, 1913); Concise Descriptive Catalogue of the Persian Manuscripts in the Collection of the Asiatic Society of Bengal , edited by Wladimir Ivanow (Calcutta: The Asiatic Society, 1924, reprinted 1985) For the works of Ivanow see Correspondence Corbin-ivonow: lettres entre Henry Corbin et Validmir Ivanow de 1947 ` a 1966 , edited by Sabine Schmidte (Paris: Diusion Peeters, 1999); Concise Descriptive Catalogue of the Persian Manuscripts in the Curzon Collection , edited by Wladimir Ivanow, (Calcutta: Baptist Mission Press, 1926); Concise Descriptive Catalogue of the Persian Manuscripts in the Collection of the Asia Society of Bengal , Supplements 1 & 2, edited by Wladimir Ivanow (Calcutta: The Asiatic Society, 19271928); Catalogue of the Arabic Manuscripts in the Collection of the Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal , 2 vols., edited by Wladimir Ivanow and M. Hidayat Hosain (Calcutta: Royal Asiatic Society, 19391951) On the works of Ivanow see Farhad Daftary, Wladimir Ivanow, 18861970, Islamic Culture XLV (1971): 5567; Catalogue of Arabic Manuscripts (in tabular form) in the Collection of the Asiatic Society of Bengal , edited by K. M. Maitra & M. S. Khan (Calcutta: The Asiatic Society, 19801999). Number of manuscripts: 6, 591 (2, 367 Arabic, 3,714 Persian, 450 Urdu, 35 Turkish, 25 Pushto). Works on the history or individual manuscripts in the Library: Khalida Husayni, Asitic Society ki khidamat-i Farsi , (Kolkata: Qasimi Dawakhana, 1997). Works on the history or individual manuscripts in the Library: Asok Kumar Das, The Jamiat tawarikh Manuscript in the Asiatic Society Calcutta, pp. 264270 in Interaction Between Indian and Central Asian Science and Technology in Medieval Times , v. 2, edited by Wazir Hasan Abdi (New Delhi: Indian National Science Academy, 1990); Said Khan Qurashi, The Diwan of Muhammad Amin, IndoIranica 46 (Sept.-Dec. 1993): 183194.
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MELA Notes 7576 (Fall 2002Spring 2003) The National Library Belvedere, Alipore Kolkata 700027 Website URL: http://nlindia.org/index2.html
Introduction: The National Library was established as the Imperial Library in 1903, renamed in 1947 as the National Library. It contains the collections donated by Mawlawi Sayyid Sadr al-Din al-Musawi, a landlord of Buhar, Burdwan, West Bengal and Jadunath Sarkar, a historian of the Mughals. Catalog(s): Catalogue raisonn e of the Buhar Library , 2 vols, edited by Wasim Nasir Rizawi, Maulvi Abdul Muqtadir, and M. Hidayat Hosain (Calcutta: Imperial Library, 19211923; revised edition 1982) Volume 1 covers the Persian manuscripts and volume 2 the Arabic; Sayyid Najib Ashraf Nadwi, Fihrist-i Kutub Khanah-yi Buhar, Ma arif (Azamgarh) (October 1924): 308317; Catalogue of the Persian Mss. of Sir Jadunath Sarkar Collection , edited by S. M. Hasan (Calcutta: Imperial Library, 1972); the same authors Sir Jadunath Sarkar ke Mahfuza Makhtutat, Ma arif (Azamgarh) (November 1960): 37488. Number of manuscripts: 1,161 (691 Persian, 467 Arabic, 2 Urdu, 1 Turkish) Works on the history or individual manuscripts in the Library: M. Hidayat Hosain, The Founders of the Buhar Library, Islamic Culture 7 (1933): 125146; S. M. Hasan, Jadunath Sarkars Collection of Persian Manuscripts, Bengal Past and Present 90, part I (JanuaryJune 1971): 118121. Victoria Memorial Hall Library 1 Queens Way Kolkata 700071 Introduction: Catalog(s): Manuscripts in Arabic, Persian nd Urdu: A descriptive Catalogue edited by Iqbal Jawid (Calcutta: Victoria Memorial Library, 1973). Works on the history or individual manuscripts in the library: M. Sami Ahmad, Anwar-i-Suhaili: A Valuable Manuscript in the Victoria Memorial Collection, Bulletin of the Victoria Memorial 15
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(1979): 3135; M. Sami Ahmad, Manuscript Copy of Faizis NalDaman in the Victoria Memorial Collection, Bulletin of the Victoria Memorial 12 (1978): 2830. Hazarduari Palace Museum & Library Murshidabad Website URL: http://Kolkata.wb.nic.in/murshidabad/tourism.htm Introduction: Murshidabad was the seat of a princely state like Hyderabad, Bhopal, Rampur, and Tonk, where Persian literature was cultivated. Evidently there are some manuscripts in the Hazardari Palace Library, the former nawabs palace, as recorded by Sayyid Husayn Azimabadi, Nawa-yi did , (Patna: Kitab Manzil, 1997). Visva Bharati University Shantiniketan, Birbhim 731235 Introduction: Visva Bharati University is the university established by Rabindranath Tagore. The Arabic, Persian and Islamic Studies department is one of the oldest in India, with a good library. See the introduction in the series of articles by Abd al-Wahhab Bastawi, Vishva Bharati University ke Farsi, Arabi, aur Urdu Makhtutat, Burhan (Delhi) March 1981): 3858; November 1981: 3853; December 1981: 5160; January 1982: 4856; February 1982: 4252; May 1982: 5161; June 1982: 5158; October 1982: 5361; November 1982: 5559; December 1982: 5564; January 1983: 5363; February 1983: 5761; December 1983: 2535; January 1984: 3040; February 1984: 34457; April 1984: 4148; May 1984: 4262.

Khalid I Guide of Persian Manuscripts

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A Guide to Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and Urdu Manuscript Libraries in India Omar Khalidi Aga Khan Program for

MELA Notes 7576 (Fall 2002Spring 2003)

Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India Published Catalogs and Lists

Manuscripts to be Listed, Deccan Chronicle 15 February 2000; www.Deccan.com.

MELA Notes 7576 (Fall 2002Spring 2003)

Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India

MELA Notes 7576 (Fall 2002Spring 2003)

Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India Key Periodicals

MELA Notes 7576 (Fall 2002Spring 2003)

Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India Catalog(s):

MELA Notes 7576 (Fall 2002Spring 2003)

MELA Notes 7576 (Fall 2002Spring 2003)

MELA Notes 7576 (Fall 2002Spring 2003)

Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India

MELA Notes 7576 (Fall 2002Spring 2003)

Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India

MELA Notes 7576 (Fall 2002Spring 2003)

Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India

MELA Notes 7576 (Fall 2002Spring 2003) DELHI

MELA Notes 7576 (Fall 2002Spring 2003)

Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India

MELA Notes 7576 (Fall 2002Spring 2003)

Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India

MELA Notes 7576 (Fall 2002Spring 2003)

MELA Notes 7576 (Fall 2002Spring 2003)

MELA Notes 7576 (Fall 2002Spring 2003)

Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India

MELA Notes 7576 (Fall 2002Spring 2003)

MELA Notes 7576 (Fall 2002Spring 2003)

Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India Other Collections and Institutions

Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India

MELA Notes 7576 (Fall 2002Spring 2003)

MELA Notes 7576 (Fall 2002Spring 2003)

The whereabouts of the manuscripts noted in the section below is undertain

Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India

MELA Notes 7576 (Fall 2002Spring 2003)

Works on the history or individual manuscripts in the Library:

Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India Other Collections:

MELA Notes 7576 (Fall 2002Spring 2003)

Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India

MELA Notes 7576 (Fall 2002Spring 2003)

Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India

MELA Notes 7576 (Fall 2002Spring 2003)

MELA Notes 7576 (Fall 2002Spring 2003)

Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India

Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India

Khalidi: Manuscript Libraries In India

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