Notes on Near and Middle East libraries with Persian manuscripts.
Journal name: Acta Orientalia
Original article title: Notes on some public and semi-public libraries in the Near and Middle East containing Persian and other Moslem manuscripts
ACTA ORIENTALIA is a journal focused on the study of Oriental languages, history, archaeology, and religions from ancient times to the present. The journal includes articles reviewed by a senior scholar in the relevant field.
This page presents a generated summary with additional references; See source (below) for actual content.
Summary of article contents:
1. Introduction
The notes compiled by Bo Utas, based on library visits in 1965 and 1968, reflect substantial collections of Muslim manuscripts, particularly Persian ones, in public and semi-public libraries across the Near and Middle East. The documentation serves as a supplementary resource to existing bibliographies and handbooks regarding oriental studies. Despite the passage of time since the visits, much of the information is deemed relevant and valuable for scholars interested in these collections.
2. Survey of Libraries in Istanbul
One key finding highlights the extensive manuscript collections in Istanbul's libraries. Utas notes a total of approximately 140,000 manuscripts, with differing proportions in the three primary languages: around 8% in Persian, 69% in Arabic, and 23% in Turkish. Collections are housed in notable libraries such as Süleymaniye, Topkapı Palace, and Beyazıt Umumi, with well-ordered indices and diverse cataloging efforts that facilitate access to these valuable texts. Notably, the Süleymaniye library itself has around 57,000 manuscripts, incorporating multiple transferred collections, and includes modern resources for reproducing manuscripts.
3. Manuscript Collections in Iran
The situation in Iran's libraries reveals a vast array of important collections, particularly in Tehran. Important libraries such as the Sipahsalar Madrasah, the National Consultative Assembly, and the Central University Library hold thousands of manuscripts, showcasing a rich heritage of Persian and Arabic literature and scholarship. Like Istanbul, these libraries present challenges in cataloging and indexing, but there is a concerted effort to compile available information into printed catalogues that can guide researchers through the volumes of manuscripts.
4. The Role of Cultural and Historical Contexts
Utas also emphasizes the importance of understanding the cultural and historical contexts of the manuscripts. These texts not only capture literary and scientific achievements but also serve as reflections of the diverse traditions and identities in the Muslim world. The manuscripts span various subjects, including Persian poetry, Islamic theology, and historical records, which collectively contribute to the understanding of cultural evolution in the region.
5. Challenges in Manuscript Preservation and Access
Despite the richness of these manuscript collections, there remain challenges in preservation and accessibility. Many libraries still rely on outdated cataloging systems, making it difficult for scholars to locate specific works. Additionally, the physical condition of manuscripts can vary, and there are concerns regarding the ongoing preservation of these texts. The lack of sufficient funding and resources for library maintenance poses a risk to the longevity of these important cultural artifacts.
6. Conclusion
Overall, the notes by Bo Utas provide a comprehensive overview of the status and significance of manuscript collections in the Near and Middle East. Through thorough surveys and awareness of cultural contexts, researchers and scholars can appreciate the depth and diversity of Muslim manuscript heritage. However, the challenges highlighted in preserving and accessing these texts underscore the need for ongoing support and scholarship in the field of oriental studies.
Original source:
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Bo Utas
Acta Orientalia:
(Founded in 1922 and published annually)
Full text available for: Notes on some public and semi-public libraries in the Near and Middle East containing Persian and other Moslem manuscripts
Year: 1971 | Doi: 10.5617/ao.5190
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
Download the PDF file of the original publication
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the purpose of the notes by Bo Utas?
The notes aim to complement existing information on Persian and other Moslem manuscripts in libraries of the Near and Middle East, based on visits and observations made in 1965 and 1968.
How many libraries were surveyed in Istanbul by Bo Utas?
Bo Utas surveyed thirteen libraries in Istanbul that contain substantial collections of manuscripts, including Persian, Arabic, and Turkish texts.
What resources were used to compile the manuscript data?
The data are compiled from visits, existing catalogues, and bibliographical works, as referenced in various publications and handbooks concerning Oriental manuscripts.
What information does Bo Utas provide about the Süleymaniye Library?
The Süleymaniye Library has approximately 57,000 manuscripts, with extensive card indices for authors and titles, facilitating access to its vast collection.
Which Persian manuscripts did the Dar al-kutub az-Zahiriya al-ahliya have?
During Bo Utas's visit, only three Persian manuscripts were identified in the Dar al-kutub az-Zahiriya al-ahliya, which mainly held Arabic texts.
What challenges are there in cataloguing the manuscripts in Turkey?
Compiling an exhaustive bibliographical treatment of the manuscripts is challenging due to the vast number, diverse languages, and mixed-language collection volumes present.
Which important libraries were mentioned in Tehran?
Important libraries in Tehran include the Library of Sipahsalar Madrasah and the National Consultative Assembly Library, each housing thousands of manuscripts in various languages.
Glossary definitions and references:
Oriental and Historical glossary list for “Notes on Near and Middle East libraries with Persian manuscripts.”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of History, Linguistics, Religion, Philosophy, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism etc.
1) Pasha (Pasa):
The term 'Pasa' appears multiple times in relation to specific libraries or collections in Istanbul, such as 'Husrev Pasa Kutuphanesi' and 'Ragip Pasa Kutuphanesi,' signifying names of notable individuals linked with these libraries or collections.
2) Dani:
[see source text or glossary: Dani]
3) Ashta (Asta, Astan, Ashtan):
'Astan-i Quds-i Radavi' refers to the library of the Holy Shrine in Mashhad, an important repository of Persian and Arabic manuscripts with a substantial collection size.
4) Lahore:
Lahore relates to the Panjab University Library in the city of Lahore, which houses approximately 8,500 manuscripts, most of which are in Persian and Arabic.
5) Summer:
The 'Summer' keyword relates to the information that some libraries, such as Kitabnamh-yi Majlis-i Suray-i Milli in Tehran, close for a month during summer.
6) Divan:
'Divan' is mentioned several times in relation to manuscript collections, referring to collections of poetry in Persian, such as 'Divan-i Hafiz' found in various libraries.
7) Language:
The term 'Language' refers to the different languages of the manuscripts mentioned throughout the text, including Persian, Arabic, Turkish, Urdu, and others.
8) Manisha (Manisa):
Manisa refers to a city mentioned in the text, home to the Genel Kitaplik library, which holds approximately 5,500 manuscripts.
9) Book:
The 'Book' keyword relates to the numerous manuscripts or 'kutub' documented in various catalogues and library lists throughout the provided text.
10) Poetry (Poetic, Poetical):
'Poetry' refers to the genre of some manuscripts mentioned, such as the significant number of poetical works catalogued in libraries like the University Library of Istanbul.
11) Catti:
'Catti' or 'catti' is used in catalogues to denote 'printed works' in Persian and Arabic; these works are often listed alongside manuscripts in many library catalogues.
12) Malik:
'Malik' relates to the National Malik Library in Tehran, which contains around 7,000 manuscripts, described as holding historical significance.
13) Ukta:
'Ukta'i' refers to the author of various printed catalogues for the Astan-i Quds-i Radavi library in Mashhad, detailing the library's extensive collection of manuscripts.
14) Pari:
[see source text or glossary: Pari]
15) Afghanistan:
Afghanistan is mentioned in relation to manuscript collections in Kabul and Herat, with detailed descriptions of these manuscripts found in libraries and museums.
16) Instruction:
The 'Instruction' keyword is linked to libraries such as the Kitabxanah-yi Vizarat-i Malbu'at va Irsad, meaning the Ministry of Publication and Instruction in Kabul.
17) Mahmud:
'Mahmud' could refer to specific individuals such as 'Haci Mahmud Ef,' whose collections or libraries are indicated in Istanbul's certified catalogues.
18) Shrine:
'Shrine' relates to the Kitabxanah-yi Astan-i Quds-i Radavi, the library associated with the Holy Shrine of Imam Rida in Mashhad, with a large and valuable collection of manuscripts.
19) Sarat (Sharat):
[see source text or glossary: Sarat]
20) Harat:
Harat, or Herat, is referenced with libraries such as the Kitabxanah-yi Muziyum-i Harat and the Kitabxanah-yi 'Ammah-yi Harat, holding significant Persian and Arabic manuscripts.
21) Lala:
'Lala' appears in relation to the Lala Ismail Efendi collection, part of various library collections detailed in the directive and catalogues of Suleymaniye and Nuruosmaniye libraries.
22) Bagh:
'Bagh' is mentioned in relation to locations such as Khiyaban-i Ahmadi, Kuchah-yi Sar-i Bagh for the Xaniqah-i Ahmadi library in Shiraz.
23) Three baskets (Three pitakas, Three collections):
'Three collections' refers to the Ataturk Kutuphanesi, which earlier contained three separate collections that were later transferred to Istanbul's Suleymaniye library.
24) Literature:
'Literature' keyword could be a central theme since the discussed manuscripts involve classical Persian, Arabic, and Turkish literature catalogued in various libraries.
25) Panjabi:
Panjabi appears as one of the languages for manuscripts at Panjab University Library in Lahore, highlighting the linguistic diversity of the collections.
26) Student:
'Student' relates to the intended audience for these comprehensive notes on library catalogues, aiming to assist students in their research of Persian manuscripts collections.
27) Javadi:
'Javadi' is mentioned in catalogues by M. T. Danis-Pazuh regarding manuscripts donated by Aqay-i Ahmad-i Javadi in various faculties of the University of Tehran.
28) Repair:
The 'Repair' keyword is exemplified by the closure of the library in Tabriz for building repairs, affecting accessibility to manuscript collections during that period.
29) Ankara (Amkara):
Ankara appears in reference to bibliography sources like 'Turkiye Kutuphaneleri rehberi,' providing lists of libraries and manuscript collections in Turkey, capital at Ankara.
30) Indian:
Indian manuscripts and their catalogues are referenced under entries for Lahore and broader bibliographical contributions noted in the cited works.
31) Island:
'Island' relates to the city of Rhodes on the island having a 'Turkish Library,' which contains historical Persian manuscripts.
32) Market:
The 'Market' keyword links to manuscript collection trends, mentioning collections growing rapidly at places like the Kabul Museum due to active markets for historical manuscripts.
33) Garden:
'Garden' references the situational description of some libraries, such as the library of the Kabul Museum, found in the garden behind the main museum building.
34) Matari:
[see source text or glossary: Madari]
35) Future:
'Future' is implied in plans for more comprehensive bibliographical coverage of vast manuscript collections, expecting future literature and cataloguing efforts to expand.
36) Kunde (Kumde, Kundé):
[see source text or glossary: Kunde]
37) Irani:
'Irani' relates to works housed in Iranian libraries, collectively described in published indices and catalogues for researchers and bibliographers.
38) Kalam:
Kalam refers to authors like 'A. Javahir-Kalam,' who contributed to cataloguing manuscripts, especially those at the Kitabxanah-yi Milli in Tehran.
39) Vatta (Vatta°, Vatti):
'Vatti' is a term used in cataloguing to refer to hand-written manuscripts, frequently appearing in the lists provided throughout the documentation.
40) Doubt:
'Doubt' appears in the context of verifying manuscript counts, such as skepticism regarding the exact number of manuscripts at Ataturk Kutuphanesi in Izmir post-transfer.
41) House:
'House' refers to locations like the 'House of the Museum' for the Herat Muziyum, delineating where manuscript libraries are institutionally situated.
42) Atti:
'Aatti' (or 'aatti') appears in this context in the original Persian term 'catti,' commonly found in catalogues differentiating printed works in the manuscript lists.
43) Hali:
Hali possibly refers to cataloguer 'A. Munzavi,' associated with manuscript cataloguing for Kitabanah-yi Majlis-i Suray-i Milli in Tehran.
44) Dama:
'Dama' reflects Damascus, connecting to the Dar al-Kutub az-Zahiriya library, a national establishment with Arabic manuscripts collections catalogued extensively.
45) Kara:
Kara Minasian is an individual who owns a private manuscript collection in Isfahan, accessible to scholars due to the courtesy of Dr. Minasian.
46) Gamin (Gami):
Gami or 'Yeni Gami' refers to libraries like 'Gami Kutuphanesi' in Istanbul, previously containing manuscripts later transferred to Suleymaniye.
47) Akshi (Aksi):
'Aksi' refers to the catalogued photographic reproductions of manuscripts, particularly in resources such as the Kitabxanah-yi Markazi-yi Danisgah-i Tihran's collections.
48) Khan:
'Khan' appears in geographical and institutional names, for example, Khiyaban-i Karim-Khan-i Zand in Shiraz, indicating library locations.
49) Nas (Nash):
Nash (possibly short for nashr) signifies printed manuscript catalogues found in several libraries; it indicates the bibliographic effort to document manuscript collections.
50) Kapu:
'Kapu' is referenced in the Topkapi Palace Museum's library in Istanbul, housing an extensive collection of Persian, Arabic, and Turkish manuscripts.
51) Horn:
Horn could reference individuals like Paul Horn, an author cited for his work on Persian manuscripts, adding to the bibliographical references found in the text.
52) City:
'City' pertains to various locations mentioned, like Tehran, Shiraz, and Istanbul, where numerous libraries housing significant manuscript collections are located.
53) Hope:
'Hope' signifies the expectation and intent that the compiled notes and comprehensive bibliographical references will benefit students and researchers in the future.
54) Bash (Bas):
'Baas' indicates cataloging amendments or additions by authors like 'M. T. Danis-Pazuh,' extending previous cataloguing efforts for libraries in Tehran.
55) Cina:
Sina relates to the library of the Senate in Tehran, called 'Kitabxanah-i Majlis-i Sina,' which contains a collection of manuscripts catalogued by university efforts.
56) Hadi:
[see source text or glossary: Hadi]