A Ceremonial Illuminated Letter in Persian and a Kharita

Content

The file contains two letters (f 1 and ff 2-4), a paper envelope (f 5), and a two piece pouch envelope (un-foliated). The first letter (f 1) is referred to as khat (standard letter). The letter is a personal one and it is sent by Abdur Rahman Khan, the Amir of Afghanistan (1880-1901) to Lord George Nathaniel Curzon. It is dated 19 Safar 1313 which is given as 11 August 1895. In the letter, the Amir thanks Lord Curzon for a set of family photos as well as a magic lantern the latter has sent him.

The second letter (ff 2-4) is referred to as murasaleh (a type of letter), together with the paper envelope (f 5), and the two piece pouch envelope are called Kharita An important letter usually sent in an elaborate textile pouch, dispatched as part of the royal or diplomatic correspondence of rulers and elites. . Kharita An important letter usually sent in an elaborate textile pouch, dispatched as part of the royal or diplomatic correspondence of rulers and elites. is an official letter from a paramount power, usually sent in an elaborate silk cover and received with great ceremony. The letter that is part of the Kharita An important letter usually sent in an elaborate textile pouch, dispatched as part of the royal or diplomatic correspondence of rulers and elites. is an official one and it is also sent by Abdur Rahman Khan, to Lord Curzon. It is dated Sunday 2 Ramadan 1316 which is given as 15 January 1899. The Amir of Afghanistan is recounting a previous letter that he received from Lord Curzon in which Lord Curzon emphasized the importance of building a strong relationship between the Empire in India and Afghanistan. Lord Curzon also clarified the reasons which caused the late arrival of his letter to the Amir. After recounting the content of Lord Curzon’s letter, the Amir of Afghanistan concludes with his congratulations to Lord Curzon on his new position, and emphasized on the strong relations and friendship between the two. The letter has a date in English, 23 January 1899, written in red ink at the top of its first folio.

Both letters are written in Persian on illuminated large white papers. A circular black ink seal holding the name of the Amir of Afghanistan has been provided at the end of each letter. The four-year gap in the dates given on the letters, as well as the difference in dimensions between the first letter (f 1), when folded, and the paper envelope indicate that this letter is not part of the Kharita An important letter usually sent in an elaborate textile pouch, dispatched as part of the royal or diplomatic correspondence of rulers and elites. . Rather, it has been misplaced and eventually ended up in this file.

The second letter was originally folded and kept inside a paper envelope (f 5). The paper envelope is open from the right side corner and has the names of the sender and the recipient. Marks of red sealing wax are still visible on the front side of the envelope. The envelope itself is dated Wednesday 28 Sha‘ban 1316 which is given as 11 January 1899, that is four days earlier than the date on the letter (ff 2-4).The paper envelope with the letter inside was placed inside a two piece pouch envelope: a silk pouch and a bobbinet cotton pouch. The dimensions of these two pieces indicate that the bobbinet cotton pouch was used as an outer protective cover for the silk one. The date of the pouch envelope is unknown.

Extent and format

1 file (5 folios and a two piece pouch envelope)

It is grouped into

A Ceremonial Illuminated Letter

2 images

Ref: Mss Eur F111/361, f 1

Kharita

10 images

Ref: Mss Eur F111/361, ff 2-5

Arrangement

The papers are arranged in chronological order from the front to the rear of the file. The paper envelope with the letter inside was placed inside two pieces of a pouch envelope: a silk pouch and a bobbinet cotton pouch. The dimensions of these two pieces indicate that the bobbinet cotton pouch was used as an outer protective cover for the silk one.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 5; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. The foliation sequence does not include the two piece pouch (silk pouch and bobbinet cotton pouch).

Silk pouch construction: Orange silk folded in half, and hand stitched along one short and one long edge. Emerald green silk attached to opening edge with running stitches. There is some evidence of sealing wax.

Bobbinet cotton pouch construction: Net folded in half, and hand stitched along one short and one long edge.

Dimensions: The orange silk pouch: (height) from bottom edge 415mm x (width) 155mm and (width) of opening green edge 170mm.

The cotton bobbinet pouch: (height) from bottom edge 380mm x (width) 165mm and (width) of opening edge 185mm.

Written in

English and Persian in Latin and Arabic (Nastaliq variant) script

Type

Archival file

Access & Reference

Original held at

British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity.

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

Mss Eur F111/361

History of this record

Date(s)

11 Aug 1895-23 Jan 1899 (CE, Gregorian)

People & organisations

King of AfghanistanAbdur Rahman Khan

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Cite this record in your research

A Ceremonial Illuminated Letter in Persian and a Kharita , British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/361, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000001452.0x0003c5> [accessed 21 November 2024]

Link to this record

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