Rusheed-e T'Hatvee | Moontukhub-ool-Loghaut, or A Dictionary of Arabic Words, Calcutta, 1808, Earl of Minto's copy

Abd-oor-Rusheed-e T'Hatvee (author), Molovee Allah Daud (editor)

Moontukhub-ool-Loghaut, or A dictionary of Arabic words, with a Persian translation, according to the authority of the Kaumoos, the Sehauh, the Kunz, the Mohuzzub, and other Arabic lexicons, of equal celebrity. Originally compiled by Abd-oor-Rusheed-e T’hatvee; and now revised, corrected and published by Molovee Allah Daud and other native officers, employed in the Persian department, of the College of Fort William. Calcutta: Printed at the Persian Press of the College, 1808.

Folio (300 x 182mm.), 4, [1], 881 pages, contemporary Indian red morocco binding, rebacked retaining original spine, repair to upper cover

THE EARL OF MINTO'S COPY of the editio princeps of al-Tattavi's renowned Arabic lexicon. Lord Minto (1751-1814) was appointed Governor-General of India at the end of 1806, governing until 1813, during which time he expanded the British presence in the area to the Moluccas, Java, and other Dutch possessions in the East Indies during the Napoleonic Wars.

The present edition of al-Tattavi's lexicon was prepared by Molavi Allah Daud, the head native officer of the Persian Department at the College of Fort William in Calcutta. This edition is very rare, with only eight known copies in institutional collections. Only copies of later editions are to be found in the British Library.

PROVENANCE:

Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound (1751-1814), 1st Earl of Minto: bookplate, and ownership inscription on title