Yahya Beg Duqakinzade (d. after 1574-75), Gangina-yi Raz (a Poem in Masnavi rhyme), signed by Zayn al-Abidin Mustafa, Turkey, dated 989 AH/1581 AD

Ottoman Turkish manuscript on polished cream paper, 88 leaves plus 2 flyleaves, 17 lines to the page, written in neat naskh script in black ink within 2 columns, headings written in red, catchwords, leather binding with small punched flowerhead design and tooled ropework borders

In fair overall condition, abrasions to extremities, some pages loose, requiring conservation, 4 leaves cut away at top edge, pages generally clean and ink bold, binding repaired, as viewed.
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Gangina-yi Raz is a moralistic poem written in masnavi rhyme, composed by Yahya Beg Duqakinzade in 946 AH/1539 AD, rendering this an early copy, executed during or very shortly after the author's lifetime. The present work represents the fourth part of Duqakinzade 's khamsa, which he dedicated to Sultan Suleyman I ('the Magnificent', r.1520-66), and which is divided into forty discourses on moral codes of conduct, each followed by a moralistic tale. For more information on the work, see E.J.W. Gibb, A History of Ottoman Poetry, London, 1958-63, vo.3, p.126.