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Manuscript/Mixed Material Beginning of Sa'di's "Gulistan"

About this Item

Title

  • Beginning of Sa'di's "Gulistan"

Created / Published

  • 18th century

Headings

  • -  Calligraphy, Arabic
  • -  Calligraphy, Persian
  • -  Manuscripts, Persian--Washington (D.C.)
  • -  India
  • -  Calligraphy, Indian
  • -  Arabic script calligraphy
  • -  Illuminated Islamic manuscripts
  • -  Indian ta'liq
  • -  Islamic calligraphy
  • -  Islamic manuscripts

Notes

  • -  The opening of Sa'di (d. 691/1292) "Gulistan" (The Rose Garden), written in Indian ta'liq a fluid cursive script is typical of 18th-century Indian compositions.
  • -  (Trans. E. Rehatsek, "The Gulistan or Rose Garden of Sa'di" [New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1965], p. 57).
  • -  Dimensions of Written Surface: 8.7 (w) x 17.5 (h) cm
  • -  Executed on a white-and-brown marble (ebru or abri) paper, the text is written in black ta'liq. This fluid cursive script is typical of 18th-century Indian compositions. Red strokes serve to separate visually the lines of text, both in the diagonal and the vertical. The text is framed by a salmon border and pasted to a cardboard backing decorated with a light purple paper.
  • -  Praise to God of Majesty and Glory. Obedience to him is a cause of approach and gratitude in increase of benefits. Every inhalation of the breath prolongs life and every expiration of it gladdens our nature. Every breath confers two benefits and for every benefit gratitude is due: Whose hand and tongue is capable to fulfill obligations of thanks to Him?
  • -  Shaykh Sa'di (d. 691/1292) composed his famous "Gulistan" (The Rose Garden) in 654/1256. His work includes eight chapters, an introduction and a conclusion. Each chapter narrates a number of stories, maxims and admonitions. This fragment is the first page of the Gulistan's introduction, initiated at the top by a bismillah and followed by Sa'di's praise of God. He states:
  • -  Script: Indian ta'liq
  • -  1-85-154.92

Medium

  • 1 volume ; 14.7 (w) x 22.5 (h) cm

Repository

  • Library of Congress African and Middle Eastern Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA

Digital Id

Library of Congress Control Number

  • 2019714624

Online Format

  • pdf
  • image

Additional Metadata Formats

IIIF Presentation Manifest

Rights & Access

The contents of the Library of Congress Selections of Arabic, Persian, and Ottoman Calligraphy are in the public domain or have no known copyright restrictions and are free to use and reuse.

Credit Line: Library of Congress, African and Middle East Division, Near East Section Persian Manuscript Collection

Cite This Item

Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.

Chicago citation style:

Beginning of Sa'di's "Gulistan". 18th Century. Manuscript/Mixed Material. https://www.loc.gov/item/2019714624/.

APA citation style:

Beginning of Sa'di's "Gulistan". 18th Century. [Manuscript/Mixed Material] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2019714624/.

MLA citation style:

Beginning of Sa'di's "Gulistan". 18th Century. Manuscript/Mixed Material. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2019714624/>.