Fonds SC39 - Discourses on Muslim doctrine and ethics

Identity area

Reference code

GB 891 SC39

Title

Discourses on Muslim doctrine and ethics

Date(s)

  • Mar 1931 (Creation)
  • [1800 - 1899] (Creation)

Level of description

Fonds

Extent and medium

1 leatherbound volume 21.5 x 16cm lithograph

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib was a cousin, son-in-law and companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. He ruled as the fourth Rashidun caliph from 656 until his assassination in 661. He is considered one of the central figures in Shia Islam, the first Shia Imam and, in Sunni Islam, as the fourth of the "rightly guided" (rāshidūn) caliphs.

Name of creator

(1871-1960)

Biographical history

Lionel David Barnett was an English orientalist. He was educated at University College, Liverpool, and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he took a first class degree in classics. In 1899, he joined the British Museum as Assistant Keeper in the Department of Oriental Printed Books and Manuscripts. In 1908 he became Keeper, remaining in the post until his retirement in 1936. He was also Professor of Sanskrit at University College, London, from 1906 to 1917; founding Lecturer in Sanskrit at the School of Oriental Studies (1917–1948); Lecturer in Ancient Indian History and Epigraphy (1922–1948); and Librarian of the School (1940–1947). In 1948, at the age of 77, he rejoined the British Museum, which was desperately short of staff, as an Assistant Keeper, remaining there until his death in 1960.

Archival history

The custodial history is unknown.

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

It's not known how this volume became part of the Society's collections.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

A series of discourses on Muslim doctrine and ethics, said at its beginning to be the Kalām of Murtada (Murtaza) Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib which has been translated from a Persian rendering of the original Arabic into a dialect of "Western Hindustani" in a variety of the Khojki Sindh script. This information is obtained from a typed note which has been pasted into the volume and signed by Lionel David Barnett, dated March 1931.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

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Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Open. Please contact the archivist. Details can be found here : https://royalasiaticarchives.org/. The archive is open on Tuesdays and Fridays 10-5, and Thursdays 2-5. Access is to any researcher without appointment but it will help if an appointment is made via phone or email. Please bring photo ID.

Conditions governing reproduction

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.

Language of material

  • English
  • Hindi

Script of material

    Language and script notes

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    Description control area

    Description identifier

    gb891-sc39

    Institution identifier

    Rules and/or conventions used

    Status

    Level of detail

    Dates of creation revision deletion

    Language(s)

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        Sources

        Archivist's note

        This volume was catalogued by Nancy Charley, RAS Archivist, in 2022.

        Accession area