The complete volume of "YUSUF-OU-ZALIKHA", the popular poem by the
famous mystic poet J'AMI, based on the Biblical story of JOSEPH and
POTIPHAR'S WIFE. The scribe, MIR ALI SULTANI.
The colophon reads:
"Terminated by the sinner, humble MIR ALI SULTANI the penman, may God
forgive his sins and shelter his faults. Terminated in the month of
MOHARRAM AL HARAM in the year A.H. 944 (in letters) (A.D. 1537) in the
glorious city of BUKHARA."
The Dedication in the handwriting of the scribe, in ornate gold
lettering, reads:
"For his majesty, the AUGUST, the just, the possessor of virtues, the
great KHAGAN GHAZI ABD-UL-AZIZ BAHADUR KHAN, may his domain last
forever."
The autograph of the Emperor SHAH JAHAN, the "GREAT MOGUL", on the
magnificently decorated mount reads:
"In the name of God compassionate and merciful this YUSUF-OU-ZALIKHA
treasured on the occasion of BLESSED ACCESSION." (A.D. 1627)
In confirmation of the foregoing, it is of great interest that
JAHANGIR makes special reference in his memoirs (Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri) to
an incident, as of highest importance, that he was presented by
ABD-AL-RAHIM KHAN, KHAN-I-KHANAN, with a superb copy of J'AMI'S poem
YUSUF-OU-ZALIKHA, transcribed by MIR ALI SULTANI, "Prince of Penmen",
and that the gift was appraised at "a thousand Muhr".
[Illustration: COMPLETE ILLUSTRATED AND ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT OF
"YUSUF-OU-ZALIKHA", BY THE FAMOUS MYSTIC POET J'AMI]