Zakariya Ibn Muhammad Ibn Mahmud al-Qazwini (d.1283 AD), Aja'ib al-Makhluqat (On the Wonders of Creation), Jaipur, dated 1197 AH/1783 AD

Persian manuscript on paper, 209 leaves plus 4 flyleaves, 23 lines to the page written in neat nasta'liq script in black and red ink, margins ruled in black and red, 443 illustrations in gouache and ink, red morocco binding

In good condition, calligraphy bold, illustrations vibrant and clean, repair to the bottom of pages, few corrections to text and margins, with writings on the flyleaves, minor spots of stains on a small number of pages, slight thumbing, few rubbing marks, wear, minor losses and scratches to binding, repair to the spine, as viewed.
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The Aja'ib al-Makhluqat was written by the Persian author and later Iraqi Qadi (Chief Judge) of Wasit and Hilla, Al-Qazwini (d. 1283 AD). It is divided into two compilations, a Cosmology and a Geography and describes the 'Wonders of Creation' with fabulous mythical stories and colourful miniatures and passages of scientific descriptions, taking the reader through the superlunary sphere to travellers' tales and ancient mythology. 

A colophon at the end of the manuscript reads: 

"This copy of the Aja'ib al-Makhluqat was completed during the reign of Sri Maharaj Dehraj Sawai Pratap Singh Bahadur ... in the city of Dara al-Amn, Jaipur, under the direction of Fayyaz-i Zaman, Qadi Shaykh Muhammad Ranthaburi who has the pride to act as Mustawfi (Chief Administrator) for His Excellence Maharaj Dehraj for Sahib Raja,... the Protector of the Shari'a, who has the honour of the administration of Sawai Madhupur and Ranthaburi Castle,..." 

A classic in its own right, the manuscript was translated into Persian and Arabic multiple times and influenced later Islamic works on cosmology and geography with its style and language. The present copy is a rare example from Rajasthan with complete information of its date, provenance and patron. Of other copies of Aja'ib in the British Library and Museum, only one copy, completed in 1441, probably in Shiraz, contains these illustrations (see N. Titley, Miniatures from Persian Manuscripts in the British Library and the British Museum, London, 1976, no.238).