Two works by Nergisi Mehmed Efendi

This material is held atBritish Library Asia, Pacific and Africa Collections

  • Reference
    • GB 59 Or 16391
  • Dates of Creation
    • Late 17th century-Early 19th century
  • Name of Creator
  • Language of Material
    • Arabic Persian Turkish
  • Physical Description
    • 2 texts 186 ff Material: European off-white laid paper. Foliation: European, 186 ff. Binding: Dark brown morocco covers, with gilt impressed central medallions, surrounding and margin ornament being blind; spine lost.

Scope and Content

This volume contains the following two works by the renowned Ottoman writer and poet, Nergisi Mehmed Efendi (died 1044 AH/1635 CE):. 5v-102r: [Nihalistan]. 109v-186r: İksir-i devlet. For more information on the works, both of which form part of his Hamse, see the individual records for Or 16391 (1) and Or 16391 (2). The manuscript also features a selection of verse in Arabic or Ottoman Turkish on 1v-2r and 3v-5r, in praise of brevity and expressing various ethical principles, headed Tamthīl fī qubḥ kathrat al-kalām. There are notes, apparently reflecting the content of some sections of the Nihalistan, on 3r. There are further verses on 103v-104v, including kıtalar, a gazal by Emri, a Persian beyit by Ṣā'ib, and a gazal by Bihişti. The same gazel of Bihişti is also on 105v-106r. There are Arabic verses written upside-down on f 107r and headed Fā'ida yu'raf bihā iṣṭilāḥ al-qāmūs.

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