Bound in lacquered painted boards, which possibly date from the presentation to Queen Victoria, but are certainly Persian from the early nineteenth century. Central floral arabesque on red background, with pink and cream roses and green leaves. Back is spirals of vines and red grapes on black background. Cornerpieces of quarter arabesques and borders of same pink roses on red background. The floral decoration and lacquering is of an Iranian style, which is notably different from the Indian style. The doublures are of paper with oversize calligraphy. The volume has recently been rebound and rebacked in the Royal Bindery.

This is the finer of the two Shahnamahs in the Royal Collection (for the other see RCIN 1005013). It was written out in fine nastaliq caligraphy by Muhammad Hakim al-Husayni, the noted calligrapher. It has recently been completely conserved and rebound.
The Shahnama is the national epic of Iran and tells the history of Iran (Persia) from the earliest times down to the Arab invasion (early 7th century AD). It is the longest poem ever written by a single author and comprises some 50000 verses. The whole is usually divided into three sections: mythical, legendary and historical, including Alexander the Great. The work was commissioned by the Sultan Mahmud (998-1030) of Gazna (modern Afghanistan), and drew on legends and poetry collected from the previous four centuries.

Catalogue entry adapted from Islamic Manuscripts in the British Royal Collection, Leiden 1994