These Papers contain a single item entitled: "A Translation of the Standard inscription, and of the great slab, or Altar, found in the ruins of Nimrud by Captain Ormsby, Indian Navy". The translation is contained with a soft-cover notebook which gives details of the inscriptions. The notebook has a marbled cover which has come loose from the pages.
Sans titre- Copy of inscriptions from the East, West and South Walls of a "large cave" in Nanaghat. This document is dated as being in Edinburgh in 1877.
- Collection of Urdu letters which have been identified as dating to around 1866 and being addressed from Punjab. They appear to be petitions from soldiers addressed to the British authorities. There are 8 letters.
- Collection of John Dowson's notebooks. They include three of Dowson's personal English-language notebooks dated to 1844, which tell the story of Drona from the first book of the Mahabharata (possibly copied from another source). There is also a fourth notebook in Urdu which seems to be a diary, journal or copies of more letters, and includes a 1 page Urdu-English dictionary.
These Papers are mainly concerned with excavations undertaken by David Stronach and John Hansman at Šahr-e Qumis in 1971 and 1976, and by David Stronach at Pasargadae in 1963. There is also the manuscript for Hansman's book, "Julfār, an Arabian Port", and more recent correspondence between Hansman and RAS Archivist, Nancy Charley.
Sans titre"Journal of a Mission to the Government of some of the Lower Provinces of Siam". A handwritten unbound manuscript of 94 sides describing James Low's Mission to the Rajah of Ligor in 1824. The manuscript is dated 1824 but there is a postscript explaining the main purpose of the mission, dated 1 January 1846. The manuscript bears many alterations and annotations. These Papers are not the same as the article, "Extracts from the Journal of a Political Mission to the Raja of Ligor in Siam. By Capt. James Low, M. N. I. and M. A. T. C.", published in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, July 1838.
With the manuscript are photocopies of printed articles. These are: Report on Lieutenant Low's Public Mission to His Highness the Rajah of Ligor, pp.1-11, unknown source. Journal of a Public Mission to the Rajah of Ligor, pp.12-21, incomplete, unknown source.
Sans titreThese Papers contain three letters from James Purefoy, a scan of a letter in a private collection, two Bills of Exchange and a note regarding their donation.
Sans titreThe papers of John Romer consist of:
- An untitled translation beginning: "Translation of the first fifteen verses of Col. 1 of the Behistun inscription, being done into the literal and schismatic Persian rejecting Arabic works". Romer provides a description of his translation in English and a copy of the fifteen verses in Persian. He acknowledges the work that Sir Henry Rawlinson undertook on the inscriptions. Six sheets of paper, 20 sides. The final page bears the label in a different hand, "Persian Language, J. Romer Esq."
- A letter to the Bombay Gazette found within the 1687 Complementum thesauri linguarum Orientalum by Franciszek Meninski, (1623-1698). This Thesaurus was donated to the the Royal Asiatic Society by John Romer. The letter to the Gazette takes issue with a contemporary evaluation of the Dabistan, a seventeenth century work in Persian, which is a unique study of different religious creeds. The letter gives some explanation of the Dabistan and provides some examples. It is dated 20 July 1820, handwritten, 8 sides.
An invitation from the President, Council and Fellows of the Royal Geographical Society to invite a delegate from the Royal Asiatic Society to represent the Society at the Royal Geographical Socety's Centenary on 21 October 1930 and the succeeding two days. Signed by Arthur R. Hinks, Secretary, and C.F. Close, President.
Sans titreThese papers are concerned with the Finnish Oriental Society and the interaction of the Royal Asiatic Society with them in 1933 and 1983.
Sans titreMaterial concerned with the British Institute (of Archaeology) at Ankara and its interaction with the Royal Asiatic Society. These are:
- Note from the December Council Meeting 1986 concerning representatives from the Royal Asiatic Society on the Board of the British School of Archaeology at Ankara. The first representative was Sir Gerard Clauson, followed by Susan Skilliter. On her death Godfrey Goodwin has offered to serve in that capacity. Handwritten, undated. With the note is a copy of a letter from Godfrey Goodwin to inform that he is willing to serve. Handwritten, dated 19 July 1986.
- Letter from Dr Stephen Hill, Honorary Secretary, British Institute of Archaeology at Ankara, to Lydia Collins, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to inform her that at the meeting of the Institute's Council of Management, proposals for management restructuring were provisionally agreed. He informs that this change will be brought before members at the next Annual General meeting. Typed, undated. On this letter is a handwritten note concerning the change in Charity legislation and how this may affect the Society's representation on the Governing Body of SOAS. Dated 9 May 1994. With the letter are 4 pages on the restructuring of the Council of Management.
- Note from Dennis Duncanson to Dr MacDowall that he disagrees that the legislative change will affect the Society's involvement with SOAS. Handwritten, dated 10 May 1994.
- Letter from Peter Lawrence, British Institute of Archaeology at Ankara, to Mr MacDowall to thank for his letter explaining how the Society is restructuring its Council and how members may be able to receive Society funds. He writes concerning discussions between the Institute and the Charity Commission. Handwritten with printed letterhead, dated 30 November 1994.
Material concerned with the British Association for Cemeteries in South Asia and the interaction of the Royal Asiatic Society with the Association. These are:
- Letter from Lydia Collins, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to Rosemarie Wilkinson, Membership Secretary, British Association for Cemeteries in South Asia, to inform her that at the last meeting of the Council of the Royal Asiatic Society it was resolved that the Society should become an Institutional Benefactor of British Association for Cemeteries in South Asia. Typed, dated 17 April 1989.
- Letter from British Association for Cemeteries in South Asia to Lydia Collins, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to thank her for the letter and cheque and to welcome the Society as a 'Group' Benefactor. Typed with printed letterhead, dated 20 April 1989. With the letter is a Membership enrolment form for the Society.
- "Membership List of British Association for Cemeteries in South Asia (as of 1 January 1996)". Printed list.
- Notice of Annual General Meeting of British Association for Cemeteries in South Asia, 26 March 2002. Printed leaflet.