Manuscript commissioned by the Mughal emperor Akbar (1542-1605),
containing stories by the Persian poet Jami (1414-1492), entitled
Baharistan (Garden of spring).
Contents: MS. introduction by Sir Gore Ouseley entitled
"Beharistan", dated Nov. 1817 (ff. iv-vii). Jami, Baharistan (ff.
1-67).
Extent: 67 leaves. 300 x 195 mm (written area 170 x 83,
frame-ruled).
Layout: Written in 1 column of 14 lines.
Hand: Nastaʿlīq.
Decoration: Illuminated frontispiece; 6 miniature paintings by the
Mughal court artists; the margins decorated throughout with gold
patterns and figures, some painted.
Binding: 19th-century red velvet over cardboard with brass
centrepiece and corner pieces on upper and lower covers.
Provenance: Written for Akbar (1542-1605); from the collection of
Sir Gore Ouseley (1770-1844); from the collection of John Bardoe
Elliott; presented to Bodleian Library 1859.
