Posted on: 5 February 2013

Portraits of Islamic saints and devotees with Persian inscriptions - 1796

A typed note pasted to the inside of the album cover reads:
"This album was made up for Tipu, ruler of Mysore from 1783-99, according to the inscription. Dated, Month of Akmadi = 1st month, 1225 = A.D. 1796.
This is the era introduced by Tipu.
The seal on the cover is 'God-given Government'."

© Trustees of the British Museum


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What are the names given in Persian? I could read only two with certainty. Lower right: Hazrat Makhdum Jahaniyan. Lower left: Hazrat Shah Maula [or Jaula?]. Upper right: Shah ....?. Upper left: Hazrat Khwaja ....?. Top: Hazrat Hird[e]sankar? Experts may please help.

You are right about the lower two Sanjay, the lower left appears to be Hzrt Shah Maula. The upper left might be Hzrt Khwaja Beyt Karni/ Beyt Karim, but I have some doubts. The upper right could be Shah ...(Nusli)...Qalandar (but a kaf is clearly visible). The top name is indeed Hzrt Nird/Hird Shankar. Hope more light is shed on this.

Yes Sanjay - the Persian inscription inscribed on top middle is Hazrat Hard Sankbar, bottom left -Hazrat Shah Maula

حضرت حردثنکبار حضرت شاہ مولاہ حضرت مخدؤم جھانےا

The noted Sufi Saint Baba Farid was also known by the name of Ganja-e- Shakkar, could the Saint in the centre be his image, I cannot read urdu or persian, but simply trying to figure out from the comments of thers n what i hav read on Sufism

The sain in the centre is Hazrat Dastgir,Hazrat Ganj Shakar, Hazrat Khawaj Shab Karney, Hazrat Makhdum Shah Jhania Jhangasht, Hazrat Shah Maulah.

If i'm not mistaken the topmost Shaykh is Hazrat Pir Dastagir. It was common for earlier Persian manuscripts to write the گ as ی. Also the nuqte or dots under letters like ی, which are now aligned horizontally, were once aligned vertically.