Lot 79
AN IMPORTANT MUGHAL FIRMAN OF THE EMPEROR AURANGZEB (R. 1658-1707)
MUGHAL INDIA, DATED TO AD 1692-93
Auction: 09 December 2026 from 14:00 GMT
Description
Persian manuscript on paper, with twelve lines of elegant black nasta'liq script surmounted by a large seal impression of the son of Emperor Aurangzeb, Prince A'zam Shah, two calligraphic compositions in red with extended verticals and vocalisation in black ink, the reverse with two further lines of black nasta'liq and four seal impressions, dated to the 37th regnal year of Emperor Aurangzeb, heavy crease marks and minor losses around the edges; the reverse of this firman bears the seal impressions of officers of A'zam Shah including a certain 'Abd al-Wali and a Ghulam Muhammad
Dimensions
64cm x 42.6cm
Footnote
This rare and important charter written in the 37th regnal year of Aurangzeb (r. 1658-1707) is a land grant or 'madad-i ma'ash' awarding revenues in the district of Malwa in Central India for a place called Muhammadpur. The seal impressions on the reverse of the firman are of 'Abd al-Wali and Ghulam Muhammad, officers of Prince Azam Shah, Aurangzeb's heir.
For comparison see Christie's, Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds including a Private Collection donated to benefit an Oxford college, Part V., London, 10 April 2014, lot 133.