Jami, Kheradnama, Illuminated Persian manuscript from the royal mughal library, attributed to the scribe Mir Ali, Persia, Bukhara or Herat, early 16th century

The illuminated frontispiece compares very closely to that of a Bustan dated c.1528, and attributed to the illuminator Shaykhzadeh (see Soudavar 1992, no.74, pp.194-5).  The text, forming part of the Haft Awrang (Seven Thrones) is the Kherad Nama-yi Iskanderi (The Book of Wisdom of Alexander).

There are a number of inspection notes and seals found on this manuscript, however the two that are most noteworthy are found on the first and second folios.  The first is a library note attributing the manuscript to Mir 'Ali Heravi, the famous Timurid scribe.  The second identifies Zarrin Raqam (d.1118/1706-7), the librarian of 'Alamgir (r.1748-1754), as the librarian who attributed the work to Mir 'Ali. 

One of the calligraphic masters of 16th century Iran, Mir 'Ali Heravi was a resident of Herat until the city was beseiged and captured by the Uzbeks in 1528 when he was taken to Bukhara, remaining there until his death in c.1545. 

The Mughal Emperors of the seventeenth century were avid collectors of calligraphy from past eras, these calligraphic pieces were often assembled into albums, combined with artistic elements and contributed to by the foremost contemporary masters.  The calligraphy however, was more often than not the work of earlier Iranian scribes including most particularly Mir 'Ali Heravi (d.1544-5).  It is not surprising therefore that a coveted work in his hand was once in the Imperial Mughal libraries.