Khwand Amir (d.1534), Habib al-Siyar (a history of the Timurids), vol. 3.2, India or Central Asia, dated 978 AH/1570 AD

Persian manuscript on paper, 487 leaves, 21 lines to the page, written in black nasta'liq script, annotations throughout in red ink in Shah Jahan's hand, tan morocco binding with central medallions, with flap

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This fascinating mansucript of Khwand Amir's Habib al-Siyar (literally 'Beloved of careers') is remarkable for its provenance, having been in an Uzbek Library before passing into the possession of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (r.1628-58), who added marginal notes in his distinctive hand.

The Emperor’s notes are loosely formed and stand out against the meticulous nasta’liq form of the main text; certain letter forms closely match other samples of Shah Jahan’s writing. (See J. Seyllers “The Inspection and Valuation of Manuscripts in the Imperial Mughal Library,” Artibus Asiae, vol. 57, no. ¾, 1997, pp.243-349, figs.1 and 6 and a flyleaf note on the Freer’s Haft Manzar manuscript).

Shah Jahan’s notes and commentary provide an interesting glimpse into the opinions and thoughts of the Emperor and of the Mughal court towards other ruling dynasties and current events. As can be seen below, in a comment on Folio 258a, the King  suggests that the blackening of parts of the text was due to a pro-Uzbek leader. In a note with F.229a, he criticises the author of this manuscript.

The notes on the first page of he manuscript provide important details, such as the subject, author and additional commentary on the text, as well as describing the transfer of the book from librarian to another.

The marginal notes:

F.14 1a. “It was Saturday, the last day of rabi’ al-awwal, the year 1031 (12 February, 1622). It was written in Chahar Kuruji (Guruhi?) of Multan. His Majesty (Jehangir) had gone to Krakub (Gargub?) on a pleasure trip. It was 24^th bahman (this date must refer to when his majesty had gone to Karkub because the equivalent of the above date should be 30^th bahman) and the day before yesterday, and the night was raining.”

During this period Jahangir is moving toward north of Agra due to extreme heat (tuzuk-e-jehangiri, pp.383-90) and there is no mention of the above places in his movements. The way he refers to Khurram implies that he is not very pleased with him and that they are not near each other.

F.229a. The note is a criticism to the author to call ‘Ali the brother of Muhammad and omitting the prayer after his name, which he (Shah Jahan) calls ignorance and fanaticism, and that he (Shah Jahan) added it in black (which is visible in the text, though faint).

F.258a. The marginal commentator describes the blackening of parts of the text as the work of a pro-Uzbek reader.

F.321a. “It was written on 21^st safar, the year 1031 (5 January 1622) in the maqam of Buriya(?)...yesterday, His Majesty returned from his tour of Hardawar.”

Folio 417b. “From here there are many lies” a few lines have been crossed in red.

Header notes on the first page:

“The account of Amir Timur Gurkan in details with his children up to the time of Babur Padshah, and the accounts of the Uzbeks, Qizilbash, and Safavid kings and accounts of the learned men, the shaykhs and… of that period.”

“The red hand which appears on the margins of this book are His Majesty Shah Jahan Padshah who has in many places criticised previous rulers.”

“It was transferred to La’l Chand to Mulla Muwajjah” The date is given as ilahi (Diwine), this means that it could only be Jahangir or Shah Jahan.

“It was transferred from…Akbar Quli on 11^th muharram, the year 1061 (25^th December 1650).”

“I bought (it) from Sayyid Shirazi the book seller in the tin maker’s bazar in Tehran in 1344. Value is 30 (touman), this has been written both in words and in siyaqat.

The seal on the F.1b. is possibly a Mughal seal but may not be royal.

There is a note suggesting that the book belongs to Isma’il, son of Mir Muhammad Ma’sum on the final page, however it has no date. The final page also has a poem written on the death of ‘Abd al-Mu’min Khan, who was perhaps the Uzbek ruler.