E-Paper
Museum to buy Shahnama, authenticity proved
THE AUTHENTICITY of the 'Shahnama' to be acquired by Allahabad Museum has finally been proved. The long drawn controversy over the originality of the Shahnama was put to an end when Dr Naseem Akhtar, keeper manuscript at National Museum, New Delhi presented his final report in which he stated that the manuscript was original.
THE AUTHENTICITY of the 'Shahnama' to be acquired by Allahabad Museum has finally been proved.
The long drawn controversy over the originality of the Shahnama was put to an end when Dr Naseem Akhtar, keeper manuscript at National Museum, New Delhi presented his final report in which he stated that the manuscript was original.
"People have misconception about this manuscript according to which there is one Shahnama but actually there are 100 Shahnamas preserved in various museums and libraries," said Dr SK Sharma, director of Allahabad Museum.
However, the report suggests that the first one is preserved by National Museum which is worth Rs 1 crore and it was prepared during the rule of Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni in 1000 AD. After the popularity of this Shahnama, the emperors such as Akbar, Jehangir, Shahjahan ordered other Shahnamas to be prepared in their courts.
"There were two Shahnamas got prepared, one at the ruler's court and the other by the common people which used to be the copy work of the original. So even the copy work could not be said to be fake as it was in the handwriting of the copyist along with his name. Actually it comprises the record of the time from when the civilisation began, along with the record of the emperors, the social scene at that time etc," said Dr Sharma.
The report by Dr Akhtar says that the Shahnama preserved at National Museum was written by Abdul Qasim Mansoor Firdausi, who wrote 60,000 couplets in 30 years. But he was not properly rewarded for his efforts by Sultan Mahmud and thus Firduasi left his kingdom forever.
"The Shahnama in possession of Allahabad Museum right now is 200 years old as examined by Dr Akhtar. The pages are badly damaged which need to be repaired. The name of the writer is Abdul Naim Harbi. Cover page bears the seal of Musa Raza. It means that the manuscript was under his possession. Another very important endorsement available on the cover page is that he had purchased the Shahnama for Rs 300 at Kanpur in an auction in 1809 AD. He mentioned the date 12 rezab (1251)," said Dr Sharma.
"We had none who could read Persian but now we know that the Shahnama is original. Arts Purchase Committee will now decide the price and after the approval by the authority we will purchase it," said the director.
