Persian Manuscripts : Dabistān

Mīr Ẕū-al-Fiqār ‘Alī al-Ḥusaynī Ardistānī, ca. 1615–1670; ذو الفقار الحسینی; Mūbad Shāh; مو بدشاه, Fānī, Muḥsin, d. 1671 or 2, Mullā Muḥammad Amīnملا محمد امین

Persian Manuscripts

<p style='text-align: justify;'>This nearly complete copy <i>Dābistān-i Maẕāhib</i> (School of Doctrines) presents an encyclopedia of comparative religion recounting various creeds, ideologies, and philosophies found in Asia, divided into twelve <i>ta‘līm</i> (teachings) and subdivided into a various number of <i>naẓar</i> (observations). The author, who scholars identify as Mīr Ẕū al-Fiqār ‘Alī al-Ḥusaynī (ca. 1615–70), pen-named Mubad Shāh, lived during the reign of the Mughal ruler ‘Ālamgīr I (r. 1658–1707) and apparently followed an Indian branch of an Iranian <i>Ishrāqī</i> illuminationist sect founded by Zoroastrian high priest Āẕar Kayvān (ca. 1529–1618). He not only travelled throughout the northern Indian subcontinent, but also to Mashhad in Iran. As a result, he became thoroughly acquainted with a great number of religious and scientific Parsi, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim personalities and their doctrines. A scribe named Ẕū al-Fiqār ‘Alī completed this volume on on "Wednesday, 22 Safar", but he regrettably omits the year and also misattributes authorship to one Mullā Muḥammad Amīn.</p>