Mir Khavand

An illuminated manuscript of the Rawzat as-Safa.

• Mir Khavand (Persian, 1433-1489).
• Rawzat as-Safa [Garden of Purity], a historical treatise concerning Timur and his descendants.
• Eastern regions of Safavid Persia, possibly Herat, 20th Safar 1030 AH (January 1621 AD).
• Illuminated manuscript on paper, in Farsi, part 4 only (of 7).
• 322 leaves (plus one later endleaf at rear).
• Single column, 21 lines black naskh, significant words and sentences in red, illuminated headpiece in polychrome and gold opening the text, housed in contemporary brown morocco with stamped central medallions and corner-pieces of gilt leather inlay, doublures of brown morocco with central medallions and corner-pieces decorated with gilt filigree and colored backgrounds.

The Rawzat as-Safa is an epic historical anthology in seven parts, recounting the history of the origins of Islam, early Islamic civilizations and an in-depth history of Persia. This manuscript comprises the fourth part of the work, dedicated entirely to the life and descendants of Timur (Tamerlane) the Great. Mir Khavand (1433-1489) was a Persian historian who spent most of his working life in Herat, where he compiled the Rawzat as-Safa under the patronage of Sultan Hussayn Mirza Bayqara (r. 1469-1506), the last Timurid ruler of Persia.

With the ownership inscription and seal impression of Muhammad Taqi, possibly the eminent Mughal poet Mir Mohammad Taqi Mir (1725-1810 AD), principal poet of Delhi and court poet of Assaf ad-Dulah in Lucknow, best known for his mathnavi in Urdu Mu'amiat'i Eshq.