Persian Manuscripts : Mas̲navī-i Ma‘navī

Jalāl al-Dīn Rūmī, 1207–1273; جلال الدین رومی

Persian Manuscripts

<p style='text-align: justify;'> This unsigned and undated volume of the <i>Mas̲navī-i Ma‘navī</i> (Spiritual Couplets) by Jalāl al-Dīn Rūmī (1207–1273) bears exquisitely illuminated headers that commence all six books, together with most prefaces. The seals and notations suggest that a Mughal-era scribe probably completed it in the mid-17th century. It thereafter entered the Mughal harem library, as attested by the name of Princess Zīb al-Nisā Baygum (1638–1702), daughter of Emperor ‘Alāmgīr I (b. 1618 r. 1658–1707), and a note dated 29 Safar [1]118 AH (12 June 1706 CE) recording the manusript's presentation to Navvāb Qudsīyah Alqāb Khūrshīd Fakhr al-Nisā' Baygum (ca. 1675–1733), mother of ‘Alāmgīr's great-grandson—whom she would ultimately see ascend the throne as Muḥammad Shāh (b. 1702, r. 1719–1748)—together with a valuation of "100", presumably rupees.</p>