This volume contains part of a tale in Old Anatolian Turkish recounting the adventures of the hero Gerdenkeşan. Gerdenkeşanname, like the Kahramanname, Destan-i Kiran-i Habeşi, and others, is one of the narratives that grew around the periphery of the Persian Shāhnāma of Firdawsī (329-411 AH/940-1020 CE). Like them, too, it is popularly attributed to Ebu Tahir Musa et-Tartusi (Rieu, CTM, 220). Part two of the same work, from a different manuscript set, can be found in Or 14942, where the author explains in his epilogue (ff 342v-343r) that the sequel to this story can be read in another lengthy tale entitled Huşengname. The present manuscript is incomplete at the beginning and end, and there is a lacuna between ff 4-5. In addition, the writing is unclear and often difficult to decipher owing to the unusual forms of some letters and ligatures. Begins:. Ahir birbirine el uzatıp zülüm ve [?] eder oldular [?] birbirin öldürürlerdi ve hem Şeytan aralarına girip azdırırıp. Ends:. Çünkü akşam oldu Gerdenkeşan yerinden durup ...[?] ve cama tağyir edip [?] haram [catchwords askerine gelip]. There is no colophon or date, however this copy is from around the 11th century AH/17th century CE.
[Gerdenkeşanname] - [گردنکشاننامه]
This material is held atBritish Library Asia, Pacific and Africa Collections
- Reference
- GB 59 Or 16049
- Dates of Creation
- 17th century
- Language of Material
- Turkish
- Physical Description
- 1 text 163 ff Material: Thick beige laid paper, f 58 and f 163 have tears. Foliation: European, 163 ff. Dimensions: 197 x 142 mm; 128 x 93 mm. Pricking and Ruling: 13 lines. Script: Cursive rık'a. Binding: marbled boards rebacked with leather.