Identificatie
referentie code
Titel
Datum(s)
- 20th June 1853 (Vervaardig)
- 1852 (Vervaardig)
Beschrijvingsniveau
Omvang en medium
1 bound volume handwritten
Context
Naam van de archiefvormer
Biografie
Major General George Le Grand Jacob (24 April 1805-1881) was an army officer in the East India Company. At the age of fifteen he began learning languages under Dr John Borthwick Gilchrist. He became fluent in Hindi, Persian, Marathi and Sanksrit. He was in the Grenadier Regiment Bombay Native Infantry and was promoted to Lieutenant in 1823 and to Major General in 1861. He is perhaps most known for suppressing the Indian Rebellion of 1857, involving a mutiny in the 27th Bombay Native Infantry. He was one of the earliest copiers of the Asoka Inscriptions. In addition to publishing many papers on Indian history, archaeology and topography, he wrote a book titled 'Western India before and during the Mutiny' which was published in 1871. He died in London on 27 January 1881 and was buried in Brockwood Cemetery in Surrey.
archiefbewaarplaats
Geschiedenis van het archief
Directe bron van verwerving of overbrenging
The Oriental Translation Committee requested the translation of the Ajaib al Tabaqat from Sir Legrand Jacob, who sent his translation contained in this volume to them.
Inhoud en structuur
Bereik en inhoud
The papers of Sir Legrand Jacob consist of a single item: a hardbound volume containing handwritten text. Inside is an incomplete English translation of a Persian work titled Aja'ib al‑Tabaqat (“Wonders of the Universe”), part of the medieval Islamic aja'ib genre. Texts in this genre explore the marvels of the world, often incorporating cosmographical themes—the word aja'ib itself meaning “marvellous, strange, or unusual.”
The 'Aja'ib al Tabaqat' includes a creation story, accounts of Islamic prophets and descriptions of various countries and cities. The original Persian manuscript was purchased by Sir Alexander Burnes in the Bazar of Bukhara 1832 and Sir Legrand's translation states that it was authored by Muhammad Tahir, son of Abul Qasim, in 1819.
Sir Legrand Jacob has omitted various sections in his translation, indicating where he has done so. At the beginning of the translation is a letter from him, dated 'Kutch, June 20 1853', stating that the text was not worth translating but he reluctantly complied to the request from the Oriental Translation Committee and translated it. This letter mentions Sir Gore Ouseley. The paste-downs of the volume include text in another language, and the volume also contains a pencil drawing of a temple titled 'A temple near […]'.
Waardering, vernietiging en slectie
Aanvullingen
Ordeningstelsel
Voorwaarden voor toegang en gebruik
Voorwaarden voor raadpleging
Open. Please contact the archivist.
Voorwaarden voor reproductie
Digital photography (without flash) for research purposes may be permitted upon completion of a copyright declaration form, and with respect to current UK copyright law.
Taal van het materiaal
- Engels
Schrift van het materiaal
Taal en schrift aantekeningen
Fysieke eigenschappen en technische eisen
Toegangen
Verwante materialen
Bestaan en verblifplaats van originelen
Bestaan en verblijfplaats van kopieën
Related units of description
The original Persian text purchased by Sir Alexander Burnes and translated by Sir Legrand Jacob is held in the RAS Collections as 'Persian 179.' Details can be found here.
Aantekeningen
Alternative identifier(s)
Trefwoorden
Onderwerp trefwoord
Naam ontsluitingsterm
- Alexander Burnes Sir 1805-1841 (Onderwerp)
- Ouseley Gore 1770-1844 (Onderwerp)
Genre access points
Beschrijvingsbeheer
Identificatie van de beschrijving
Identificatiecode van de instelling
Toegepaste regels en/of conventies
Status
Niveau van detaillering
Verwijdering van datering archiefvorming
Taal (talen)
Schrift(en)
Bronnen
Aantekeningen van de archivaris
These papers archived in July 2022 by Amina Khan, RAS Archive volunteer under the supervision of RAS Archivist, Nancy Charley. Edited by James Liu, Archivist, in 2025.