Sa‘di’s Bustan for Shah Jahan: The Case of a Manuscript by Hakim Rukna

The British Library’s collections hold numerous manuscripts of Sa‘di’s works, several of which are distinguished for their literary rarity, refined artistic quality, and notable provenance. This paper studies one such fine manuscript, specifically a Bustan (BL Add.27262) produced on a large scale, embellished with elaborate borders, illumination, illustrations, and contemporaneous covers. Transcribed in bold nasta‘liq calligraphy by Hakim Rukna, the manuscript was either commissioned by or presented as a gift to Emperor Shah Jahan I (r. 1628-1658) alongside a copy of the Gulistan copied earlier by the same calligrapher.