Aid to Sight: A 17th-century Persian Treatise on Sword Classification from India

Description

The present book offers a detailed translation, annotation, and interpretation of sword classifications offered by four Persian treatises written in India. These include: 1) Ādāb al-Harb va al-Šojā-e (Customs of War and Bravery) by Mohammad ben Mansur ben Said Mobārak Šāh Faxr-e Modabbar (written in Lahore or Delhi in 1229 CE or 1230 CE ), 2) Nujum al-‘Ulum (Stars of the Sciences) written in Bijapur apparently by Sultan `Ali `Adil Shah (r.1557-1579 CE) himself and dated 14 Rabi` 978 hijra, 1570 CE, 3) Āʾin-e Akbari (The Institutes of Akbar) written in 998 hijra/1590 CE until 1011hijra /1602 CE), and 4) Ta’id Besarat (Aid to Sight) written by Mirzā Lotfallāh in Delhi in 1118 hijra (1706-1707 CE). The main part of the present book deals with the treatise Aid to Sight. Forty swords from Jorge Caravana Collection, Mandarin Mansion and two private collections are also shown in the catalog.