Abridgment of the Book of Kings (Shahnama)

Description Walters manuscript W.597 is an illuminated and illustrated copy of an abridgment of Firdawsi's Shahnamah (Book of kings) entitled Tarikh-i dilgusha-yi Shamshirkhani. It was composed in prose by Tavakkul Beg Husayni (active 11th century AH/AD 17th) for Shamshir Khan of Ghaznin (Ghazni or Ghaznah in present-day Afghanistan). Completed in the 13th century AH/AD 19th in India, possibly Lahore, the text is written in Nasta'liq script and illustrated by 33 paintings.

Provenance Hasan ibn 'Ali ibn Husayn Maraghi [known as Sani al-Dawlah] [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Nusrat Pasha Mushir, 18 Sha'ban 1303 AH/AD 1885, by gift [gift note from Hasan ibn 'Ali ibn Husayn Maraghi, known as Sani al-Dawlah, to Nusrat Pasha Mushir, 18 Sha'ban 1303 AH/AD 1885 on fol. 2a, left margin]; Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters