Persian Manuscripts : Compilation of three Lucknow manuscript library catalogues compiled by I‘jāz Ḥusayn Kintūrī (1825–1870) after 1858.

Persian Manuscripts

<p style='text-align: justify;'>Indian Shi‘i scholar I‘jāz Ḥusayn (1825–1870) compiled these alphabetically-arranged manuscript catalogues of three Lucknow libraries, which still survive today, within a decade after siege of city in 1858. At the time, the author managed the Nasiriyah Library, founded by his father, famed Shi‘i jurist Muḥammad Qulī Khān (1775–1844). These catalogues likely informed the author's comprehensive bio-bibliographical survey of Shi‘i texts entitled <i>Kashf al-Ḥujub wa’l-Āstār ‘an Asmā’ al-Kutub wa’l-Asfār</i> (Disclosure of the Hidden and Curtained regarding the Names of the Books and Volumes) published by the Asiatic Society of Bengal in 1911.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>The first catalogue details the holdings of the library of the compiler's father's mentor, leading Lucknow Shi‘i cleric Sayyid Dildār ‘Alī (1753–1820), known by the epithet <i>Ghufrān-Ma’āb</i> (Refuge of Absolution), later inherited and expanded by his son Sayyid Muḥammad (1784–1867 CE), known as <i>Sulṭān al-‘Ulamā’</i> (Sultan of Scholars) apparently looted during the War for Independence in 1858.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>The second catalogue comprises the inventory of the library of the author’s father, Muḥammad Qulī Khān (1775–1844), the Chief Magistrate in Meerut, and the author's brother, Shi‘i cleric Sayyid Ḥāmid Ḥusayn (1830–1888).</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>The third catalogue delineates the holdings of the library of another son of Sayyid Dildār ‘Alī (1753–1820), Sayyid Ḥusayn (1796–1855)— younger brother of Sayyid Muḥammad— and a grandson Muḥammad Taqī, known as <i>Mumtāz al-‘Ulamā’</i> (Excellence of Scholars).</p>