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Saturday 25 November 2023

Indian manuscript pushes back history of Zero by yet another 500 years - The Bakhshali Manuscript

The Bakhshali Manuscript, 1927

From my collection:




The numeral 0 was thought of to be 1000 years old, but with the discovery of the Bakhshali Manuscript written on the bark of the tree, found in a field in Peshawar, predates the numeral 0 by another 500 years.




Also detailed in the book are ancient India mensuration, measurements and weights!



Thursday 23 November 2023

1857, The First War of Independence, The Indian Mutiny - Award Certificate/Firman

For his services to the British Army, Sarfarz Hyder, son of Ameer Hyder, was awarded the below Certificate/Firman!


Also, mentioned in Farsi, is this sealed Firman. This Firman bears the seal of the Commander-in-Chief, East Indies, British Army


The two documents framed, from my collection


Although the award was for his participation during the First War of Independence/ Indian Mutiny, this was presented during the First Delhi Durbar, held in  1877, at the proclamation of Queen Victoria as Empress of India.

Wednesday 22 November 2023

The Bolton Fine Lithopress, Tardeo

Raja Ravi Verma Lithopress is more known than the captioned press.

However, Bolton Fine Lithopress, has a more unique representation of works that have rivalled many a production pieces.

Sometime between 1950-1970, Air India commissioned them with 6 Raja Ravi Verma paintings to be made lithographs of for the benefit of their travellers.

Issued in customised jacket with frontispiece detailing the scene of each painting.

From my collection:

The Frontispiece
The Jacket


Monday 20 November 2023

The Hindoo Varna system - The Preacher

This lithograph of a Brahmin Preacher is a part of Enault Louis book on India. 

Although trained to be a lawyer, he travelled the world and he was admired for his more than 170 woodcuts.

The fascination of the Varna system was significant to many a visitor and perhaps this was illustrated by many.

From my collection, a woodcut engraving, handcolored;



Another traveller James Forbes too was fascinated, and his illustration;

From my collection:


Do check out these travellers!



Friday 17 November 2023

Bangalore - 1791

From my collection!

This map of Bangalore is representative of what the city and it's environs looked like in 1791.

Lord Cornwallis was at the doorstep of Mysore and planning the attack on Srirangapatnam (Seringapatan) and on Tipu Sultan leading to the III Anglo Mysore War.

The Bangalore Fort is clearly seen in the map as also the Pete surrounding the Fort.

The outer areas being villages and farmlands.

1791

This map was engraved by England most known engravers of that time: M/s J. Cooke Mill

Thursday 16 November 2023

The Sword of Tipu Sultan

From my collection!

Bhagwan S. Gidwani, the author of this book, which was very eminently acted by Sanjay Khan, seems to have had lot of fun while writing the book.

His note reflects this;

The book



Mr. Gidwani (1923-2020), was heading the Department of Tourism and Aviation till his retirement and thereafter settled in Canada.

Lalla Rookh - Tulip Face, by Thomas Moore

From my collection!

Lalla Rookh, 1861, by Thomas Moore, is a poetic rendition of an imaginary and beautiful girl.

Thomas Moore at the behest of Lord Byron, essayed this amazing poem.

Lalla Rookh, literally means (in Iranian) Tulip Face! The imagery for this poem was taken from the expeditions of Aurangzeb and his romantic liaisons!

The poem is in 4 parts!

Now, on the original owner of this book as seen on the bookplate

 Was Charles Wilsone Broun, perhaps the largest land owner in then Scotland. Married several times, this book and the several was at the literary love of his 3rd wife Patience Swinfen, with whom he travelled the continent several times!
(Courtesy Angelacoulter)

The book bound in leather was the handiwork of Scottish binder Hugh Hopkins

The book

The printing is in Chromolithograph with gilt edges!