Indic Manuscripts

in the

Princeton University Library

 

 
 
 

Introduction
 

I. Miscellaneous Indic Manuscripts

Indic Manuscripts in Poleman
Indic Manuscripts not in Poleman
Indic Manuscripts in the Gest Oriental Library
II. Batak Manuscripts. Compiled by P. Voorhoeve, 1979
 

III. Sanskrit Manuscripts in the Robert Garrett Collection (C0744). Compiled by Prof. David Pingree, Department of the History of Mathematics, Brown University, 1997


Introduction
 

The Princeton University Library holds approximately 340 Indic manuscripts in an array of languages (e.g. Sanskrit, Pali, Siamese), scripts (e.g. Singhalese, Burmese round script), and physical formats (e.g. palm-leaf books). The basis for consideration here is the purview of H. I. Poleman’s A Census of Indic Manuscripts in the United States and Canada, American Oriental Series, vol. 12 (New Haven, CT: American Oriental Society, 1938), which list a portion of the Indic manuscripts at Princeton. 

 

Of the approximately 340 Indic manuscripts, 300 are in the Manuscripts Division, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections (located in Firestone Library). Most were purchased and deposited by Robert Garrett in the 1920s, then donated to Princeton in 1942. Another important collector is John Mason (Batak). In addition, there are some 40 Indic manuscripts in the Gest Oriental Library (located in Jones Hall). Only a fraction of these manuscripts have been identified, listed, and described in Poleman; and not all items listed for Princeton in Poleman can be found. Descriptions in quotation marks are from Poleman. 
 

Not included in this count of Indic manuscripts are Indo-Persian manuscipts (Persian, Urdu, and Pushtu), which were written or copied in the Indian subcontinent and neighboring areas but are considered Islamic from a linguistic and cultural perspective. These manuscripts form a significant though undetermined portion of the 2,500 or so Persian manuscripts found in Princeton’s large holdings of Islamic manuscripts (approx. 15,000 texts) in the Manuscripts Division. All Persian manuscripts have been listed or described in either one or are described in two catalogs: (1) Descriptive Catalog of the Garrett Collection of Persian. Turkish and Indic Manuscripts including Some Miniatures in the Princeton University Library, compiled by Mohammad E. Moghadam and Yahya Armajani under the supervision of Philip K. Hitti (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1939); and (2) the unpublished Preliminary Checklist of Uncataloged Islamic Manuscripts at Princeton, compiled by William M. Blair, Mohammad H. Faghfoory, and Karl R. Schaefer (Princeton: Princeton University Library, 1995).
 

Manuscripts should be requested for research either in the Princeton University Library’s Department of Rare Books and Special Collections or in the Gest Library. Locations given pertain to the Department’s Boyd Room: Glass cabinets 1-4 (left to right), Wooden cabinets 1-2 (above) and 3 (below).

 

September 1996


I. Miscellaneous Indic Manuscripts

 

Indic Manuscripts in Poleman

VEDA

BUDDHIST

Pa_ca Rak__ S_tr__i. “Unidentified Mah_y_nasutra. Opening verse: _ryamah_s_hasrapramardin_namah. Nepali script. 109 ff. Heavy black paper between wood covers, encased in carved metal, with metal pegs through lateral holes. 6 lines per. 5 colored miniatures (2.5 x 3”). Garrett.” (Poleman no. 5458). Purchased from Luzac in 1929. Deposit no. 9056. Wooden 3. 

VERNACULAR TEXTS

BURMESE

Buddhist

Vinayapi_aka

C. Buddhaghosa

“Samantap_s_dik_. The P_r_juka-a__hakath_. Burmese script. 290 ff. Palm leaves with one wood cover and cord. 8 lines. P 112764.” 19.75 x 2.2” (Poleman no. 5500). Commentary on Pali Buddhist canon. Gift of J. S. Morgan. Glass 4.

Abhidhammapi_aka

“Dhammasa_ga_i. Burmese script. 10 ff. Incomplete. Palm leaves with brocaded cloth cover. 5 lines. GOL 4118.” 21.9 x 1.75” (Poleman no. 5515).

C.

“Puggalapaññatti. Some section of. Burmese script. 13 ff. Palm leaves. 5 lines. GOL 4119.” 22 x 1.75” (Poleman no. 5522)

Miscellaneous and Unidentified Buddhist

“Unidentified. Burmese script. 6 ff. Palm leaves. 5 lines. GOL 4120.” 21.9 x 1.9” (Poleman no. 5540).

“Unidentified. Lao script. 19 ff. Palm leaves between decorated, lacquered wood covers. GOL 4117.” 23.3 x 2.3” (Poleman no. 5543).

Miscellaneous

“Unidentified. Burmese script. 13 ff. Palm leaves with brocaded cloth cover. 5 lines. GOL 4021.” 22.5 x 2.1” (Poleman no. 5556).

GUJARATI

“*J_vandharasv_mir_sa. Poem on a Jain legend. 52 ff. Sam. 1610. Garrett.” 11.25 x 5” (Poleman no. 5560). Garrett Deposit no. 9056. Wooden 1. 

HINDI

Epic

Stotra, Romances, Fables, Tales, and Story Literature

(K_vya, Camp_, and Gadya)

“id. [Madhum_lat_ k_ kath_]. 180 pp. Lacks end. 5-29 lines. Paintings on all but eleven of the pages. Bound in boards covered with lacquered cloth and decorated with human figures in color. Garrett.” 13 x 8.9” (Poleman no. 5794a). 79 full-page miniatures. Wooden 1.

HINDUSTANI AND URDU

Saud_

“Complete works. Partly in Persian. Nasta’liq script. 455 ff. 9-13 lines per. 7 colored miniatures. Book, bound in leather. Garrett.” 14.5 x 8.5” (Poleman no. 6195a)

JAVANESE

“A manuscript of 75 ff., consisting of the following, according to note with it: (1) Opgave der hoegrootheid van de gronden welke verschillende in landsache hoofend en Cambten in vruchtgebruck Ceritten, (2) Aanteekening van de hoegrootheid van verschillende platsen aantal der Caoolking, (3) Voorspelling Naar de Woekoe waarin iemand geboren is. Javanese cursive script. 14 lines. Book, bound in buckram. Garrett.” 8.1 x 5.5” (Poleman no. 6206). Inscription on inside of front cover: Robert Garrett, Leiden, 1903. Garrett Deposit no. 9069. Wooden 1.

“Yoe donagoro Soelook Djoyoboyo, according to note with manuscript. “Opgave der nakomelingen van Sultan Hagoong.” Javanese cursive script. 150 ff. 13 lines. Book, bound in buckram. Garrett.” 8.25 x 5.25” (Poleman no. 6207). Full text of note: “Afschriften van oorspronkelyke javaansche werken getiteld yoedanagoro, soelook doyoboyo, allen bevattende Zedelssen. Opgave der nakomlingen van Sultan Hagoong vorst van het rij Hataram. Voorspelling naar het jaar, waarin een vorst op den troondheedt.” Inscription on inside of front cover: Robert Garrett, Leiden, 1903. Garrett Deposit no. 9070. Wooden 1.

MARATHI

“*iti _r_mat sakalalokalocanacakoracint_ma_i _r_ R_macandracandrik_. ff.1-48, 57-108. Part of prak__a 15, all of lt , and part of 17 ommited. 24 lines. Book, bound in morocco. Sam. 1776. P Garrett Deposit 960.” 10.6 x 7.5” (Poleman no. 6248). “The Story of Ramayana”. Sanskrit characters, Devan_gari script. Many color miniatures, Mogul school of art. 17th century. Glass 1.

ORIYA

“Unidentified. Oriya script. 49 ff. ib. [Palm leaves between old wood covers with tying cord through center hole]. 4 lines. Garrett 2269.” 15.1 x 1.25” (Poleman no. 6280). No wood covers (cardboard). Marking stick. Purchased from Luzac in 1933. Deposit no. 9062. Wooden 3.

PALI

Buddhist Canon

Vinayapi_aka

“id. [P_timokkha]. Portion of with Burmese translation. Burmese script. 4 ff. Lacquered palm leaves (black on silver) with decorated red lacquered wood covers. 6 lines. Decorations on first and last leaves in red and silver. Garrett.” 20.75 x 3.25” (Poleman no. 6316). Wooden 3.

“a Kammav_c_. Lao script. 26 ff. Folder with decorated lacquered and gilded covers. Nineteen folios have writing on one side only. 4 lines. P Garrett Deposit 7499.” 21.3 x 3.9” (Poleman no. 6336). Location unidentified.

“a Kammavaca. Burmese script. Palm leaves. (Poleman no. 6320). Missing?

“a Kammav_c_. Burmese block script. 12 ff. Lacquered palm leaves with red lacquered wood covers decorated in gold. 5 lines. Garrett.” 21.25 x 3.75” (Poleman no. 6337). Wooden 3.

“a Kammav_c_. Burmese block script. 16 ff. Metal leaves with lacquered, decorated wood covers. 6 lines. Cliché illustrations. Garrett.” 21.1 x 3.9” (Poleman no. 6338).

“a Kammav_c_. Burmese block script. 13 ff. Lacquered palm leaves with lacquered, decorated wood covers and tying cord. 4 lines. Cliché illustrations. Garrett. “ 20.75 x 3.25” (Poleman no. 6339). “Pali. Fifteen leaves in the Pali language, beautifully japanned in black and gold, with richly guilt end boards, a fine specimen of Eastern writing.” 53.8 x 9 x 1.9 cm. Glass 1.

“a Kammav_c_. Burmese block script. 16 ff. ib. 6 lines. Cliché illustrations. Garrett.”

21 x 4.6” (Poleman no. 6340). Lacquered palm leaves with lacquered, decorated wood covers. Deposit no. 9074. Wooden 3. 

Suttapi_aka

Khuddakap__ha

C. Buddhaghosa

“Paramatthajotik_. Cambodian script. 196 ff. Palm leaves with lacquered wood covers and wrapped in native red cloth. Garrett.” 21.9 x 2.1” (Poleman no. 6397). 10 chapters. Lacquered black covers, red, gold and blue decorations. Cloth removed? Deposit no. 1484(2). Wooden 3.

“id. [Dhammapada from Khuddaka]. Cambodian script. Chapters 3, 15, 13, 14. 96 ff. Palm leaves. 5 lines. Garrett.” 21.6 x 2.1” (Poleman no. 6403). Deposit no. 9047. Garrett. Wooden 3.

“id. [Dhammada from Khuddaka]. Burmese square script. Portion of. 43 ff. Palm leaves with decorated, lacquered wood covers. 8 lines. P Garrett Deposit 1486.” 21.25 x 3.8” (Poleman no. 6405). Wooden 3. 

C. Buddhaghosa

“*Temiyasutta. Pali and Siamese language. Cambodian script. 44 ff. Palm leaves with gilded and lacquered wood covers, tying cord, and marking stick, and wrapped in native fabrick of woven, variegated pattern of cloth over narrow strips of bamboo. 5 lines. Garrett.” 22.5 x 2.5” (Poleman no. 6412). Deposit no. 9048. Wooden 3.

“Sava__ass_maj_taka. Lao script. 36 ff. Palm leaves with red lacquered and gilded wood covers, tying cord, and marking stick, and wrapped in native fabric of woven, variegated pattern of cloth over narrow strips of bamboo. 5 lines. Cabaton II, 161-165, 417 (Pali section). Garrett.” 

22.5 x 2.5” (Poleman no. 6421). Deposit no. 9043. Wooden 3.

Abhidhammapi_aka

C. Buddhaghosa

“id. [Mah_pa__h_nappakara_a or Pa__h_nappakara_a]. Pali and Siamese. Cambodian script. 96 ff. Folder. 5 lines. 14 colored illustrations (6.9 x 11.6). P Garrett Deposit 7500.” 11.6 x 6.9” (Poleman no. 6474). Buddhist prayers “parabail” manuscript, folded on ‘koi’ paper. 48 double folios. Mahapaccana-pabharana sutra, Pali text followed by Thai exegesis. With fourteen watercolor illustrations, depicting the wondrous deeds of the Buddha and certain Jakata Tales. Binding of black lacquered colors, gilt, possibly by stencil. Post-Adyerthia Period, possibly Bangkok, ca. 1920. 66.5 x 14.2 x 7.2 cm. Glass 3.

Non-Canonical Buddhist

Siddhattha

“Paññ_kathana. Burmese script. 103 ff. Palm leaves with wood covers and tying cord. 9 lines Cabaton II, 614 (Pali section). Garrett.” 20.4 x 2.6” (Poleman no. 6510). Deposit no. 1484(1). Wooden 3.

“Bhikkhup_timokkha and Bhikkhun_p_timokkha. Burmese square script. 46 ff. Lacquered cloth leaves with decorated, lacquered wood covers. 8 lines. See catalogue of P_li, Sinhalese and Sanscrit Manuscripts in the Colombo Museum Library (1901), p. 5. Garrett.” 21.25 x 4.8” (Poleman no. 6517). Note: “buddhist prayers, possibly from the Shwedan Pagoda in Rangoon. Contemporary lacquered palm leaves with writing and decorations in gold and black. Between heavily gilded covers. Wooden 3. 

Unidentified Buddhist

“Fragment. Cambodian script. ff.49-71. Palm leaves with tying cord. 5 lines. Garrett.” 21.9 x 2” (Poleman no. 6558). Deposit no. 9046(?). Wooden 3.

“Unidentified, with possibly the following title: Mah_s__gappakara_ag_tha (sic). Cambodian script. 78 ff. Folder. 5 lines. 10 colored illustrations (7 x 9.9”). Garrett.” 23.4 x 4.9” (Poleman no. 6559). Location unidentified.

“Unidentified text in 19 chapters. Lao script. Palm leaves with edges lacquered together between gilded wood covers and wrapped in colored fabric over narrow strips of bamboo, producing a pattern. P Garrett Deposit 7507.” 22.5 x 2 x 3.75” (Poleman no. 6560). Wooden 3

“Fragment. Sinhalese script. 23 ff. Palm leaves with wood covers and tying cord. 7 lines. Garrett.” 17.75 x 2.4” (Poleman no. 6561). Buddhist text. (First Sermon of Buddha). Fragment, beginning and end missing. Pali text in Sinhalese characters and Sinhalese commentary. Palm leaf book, 2 lacquered wood covers, tying cord. Deposit no. 1487. Glass 2. 

“Unidentified portion of Tripi_aka. Lao script. Three chapters. 41 ff. Palm leaves. 5 lines. Garrett.” 22.5 x 2.1” (Poleman no. 6562).

“Unidentified. Lao script. 19 ff. Palm leaves with crudely decorated wood covers and tying cord. 5 lines. Garrett.” 22.75 x 2.4” (Poleman no. 6563). Gilded edges. 20ff. Wooden 3.

“Unidentified. Lao script. Eight chapters. 118 ff. Palm leaves with wood covers, tying cord, and marking stick. 5 lines. Garrett.” 21.75 x 2.1” (Poleman no. 6564). Location unidentified.

“Unidentified. Burmese cursive script. 138 ff. Folder with wood covers decorated with ery narrow strips of bamboo, lacquered to surface in pattern. 9-10 lines. Garrett.” 16.5 x 2.9” (Poleman no. 6565). Glass 4.

“Unidentified portion of Tripi_aka. Lao script. Three chapters. 55 ff. Palm leaves with lacquered and gilded wood covers, tying cord and marking stick, and wrapped in woven fabrick over strips of bamboo. 5 lines. Garrett.” 22.5 x 2.1” (Poleman no. 6566). Deposit no. 7503. Wooden 3.

“Unidentified. Lao script. 19 ff. Palm leaves with decorated, lacquered wood covers and tying cord. 5 lines. P Garrett Deposit 7502.” 22.75 x 2.6” (Poleman no. 6654). Wooden 3.

PANJABI

“A very old land grant on 3 copper plates. See Indian Antiquari, March 1884, p. 65: “Râ_or Grant No. IV. A grant of K___a II of Ankule_var, of 888 A. D.” by E. Hultzsch. Garrett.” Copper plates. (Poleman no. 6666). Copy of the mentioned article enclosed. Wooden 3. 

PRAKRIT

Jain Canon

C. Har_akula

“id. [Sth_n__gas_tra. (_h__amgasutta.)] ff.1-90 (121-210). 13 lines. Sam. 1558. 4 colored miniatures (4.75 x 3.75). Garrett.” 12.5 x 4.9”. (Poleman no. 6683). Enclosed note cites an article on this manuscript by Mr. Norman Brown in New Indian Antiquary. Vol. 1, no. 2, May 1938: “A manuscript of the strangest Sutr_ illustrated in the early Indian style.” 16th century. Garrett deposit no. 9057. Glass 1.

C. Abhayadeva

“id. [Samav_y__gas_tra. (Samav_yamga.) (Samav_y_mga.)] 29 ff. 17 lines. Sam 1593. This date is followed by note in different hand stating that in Sam. 1594 Sahajakala_a Ga_i had this copy made. Garrett AKC 14.” 11.5 x 5.17” Purchased from Luzac, 1933.(Poleman no. 6692). Wooden 1.
 

Non-Canonical Jain

C.

“*Samyaktakul_. A poem on Jaina doctrine in Prakrit and old Gujarati. 8 ff. 14 lines. Sam. 1673. Copied by __i Div_kara. Garrett AKC 6.” 11 x 4.6” (Poleman no. 6922). Wooden 1.

THAI

Buddhist

“Unidentified. 2 chapters. Lao script. 28 ff. Palm leaves with wood covers, marking stick, and pegs. 5 lines. P Garrett Deposit 7506.” 10.9 x 2.5” (Poleman no. 6971). Painted red covers, gilded. Wrapped in woven white and purple fabric over strips of bamboo, producing a pattern.

Wooden 3. 

Jyoti_a

“Collection of charms and astrological data. Lao script. 76 ff. Folder. 6 lines. P Ex 2094.565.26q.” 14.25 x 4.5” (Poleman no. 6977). Black wood covers. Gift of Herbert Deignan, class of 1928 (note from donor enclosed). Glass 4.

Miscellaneous and Unidentified

“Unidentified. Lao script. 7 chapters. Siamese and Pali. 140 ff. Palm leaves. 5 lines. Garrett.” 22.75 x 2.5” (Poleman no. 7000). Location unidentified. 

TIBETAN

“Bhadracaryapra_idh_na. (Bzang po spyod pai smon lam gyi rgyal po.) Tibetan script. 16 ff. 5 lines. 2 colored miniatures (1.9 x2.1). Garrett 249.” 9.25 x 3.4” (Poleman no. 7243). Glass 1. 

SANSKRIT

Bhagavidgita. Scroll. Garrett. (Poleman no 941). Missing?

Markandeya purana. Scroll. Garrett. (Poleman no. 1405). Missing?

Devimahatmya. Scroll. Garrett. (Poleman no. 1412). Missing?

Indic Manuscripts Not in Poleman

SANSKRIT

In Sanskrit. Gold Lanc_ script on dyed paper leaves. Five paintings. Nepal. c. 1140. According to the note with it, “this manuscript, which represents an unusally early use of paper, contains miniatures painted in a style that was brought from the P_la kingdom of eastern India during the preceding century and formed the basis of later painting in Nepal. The figures are drawn with the sure, graceful line and occasional modelling that characterize Nepali work of this period. The exhibited leaf shows the green form of the goddess Mah__itavat_, protector against ferocious animals and dangerous plants. She is flanked by the manuscript’s donors and an audience of lay people.” Garrett. 38.2 x 9.7 cm. Glass 1.

AM 15273

Mah_yanaka-J_taka. Buddhist text. Script? Enclosed note by Franklin Edgerton: “ being no.539 of the J_takas or “Birth-Stories” (stories of Buddha’s previous incarnations); The J_takas have been translated by a group of English scholars and published in 6 vols. by Cambridge University Press. This J_taka is found in Vol. 6 of the translation (Cambridge, 1907), pp. 19 ff. The top part of the ms, labelled on the top leaf is the Mah_janaka J_taka; I have not only decyphered the title but verified it by comparing the first lines with the opening lines of the Jublesat texts; the correspondence is perfect and there is no doubt of the identification. I believe the second part of the manuscript, the [one] tied up separately, is part of the same work, since I can find neitehr beginning nor end to it, and since the numbering of its pages seems to be such as to indicate that it is a continuation of the other ms.” Gold leaf book with gilt edges, tying cord. 4-5 lines, 2 parts, 58 x 4.5 x 1 cm. and 53.5 x 4.5 x 4 cm. Gift of J. Eliot Woodbridge, class of 1943. Glass 1.

Garrett Yahuda 3921

Unidentified. Sanskrit text. Book bound in leather. Wooden 1.

Unidentified. Sanskrit (?). Devanagari script. Unbound book. Wooden 1.

Unidentified. Sanskrit and other manuscripts in Devanagari script, numbered 1-163, 166. Folded in 6 blue document boxes. Wooden 2.

BALINESE

Balinese manuscript found in Garrett Islamic series. Inscription on obverse of title page: “The Mit_ksharam or B_sana-bk_shyam of the Liksh_mta Lir_manich of Pah_rkana _ch_ngya; by the author himself.” Bound book. Wooden 1. 

AM 87-2

Unidentified. Balinese (?). 18th century. Palm leaf manuscript from the area of Bali. Crude wood covers. 4 lines. 44 x 3.5 x 2 cm. Gift of Dr. Joseph Lieberman. Dec. 19, 1985. Wooden 3.

Unidentified. Balinese script. Palm leaf book with pen-and-ink miniatures. One drawing per leaf with one line of text on obverse. Two wooden covers, one lacquered and polished. Two metal rings. 29 x 3.7 x 1.7 cm. Wooden 3.

AM 19732

Fragment of the Rama legend? Balinese transliterated into Latin alphabet. Manuscript on bamboo leaves. Drawings on each folio, with a few lines of tex on obverse. 26. 7 x 4 x 1.5 cm. Wooden 3.

BURMESE

AM 107103

Unidentified. Burmese (?). Palm leaf book with painted wooden covers, floral design in red, yellow and green; tying cord. 7 lines. 32.2 x 5.5 x 6.4 cm. Glass 1. 

AM 82-4.

Unidentified. Burmese (?). Palm leaf book with gild edges and red lacquered wood covers. 5 lines. 2 tying cords. 55.5 x 5.7 x 2.5 cm. Gift of Lawrence O. Snead III, class of 1975. Aug. 12, 1981.

PRAKRIT

Deposit no. 9055

3 bundles designated AKC 14, AKC 16, AKC 6. Prakrit and old Gujarati.

AKC 16. Vishnarn_ma Saharram. 8 leaves.. Kashmir, 18th c. Purchased from Luzac, 1933. Deposited 1940. Gift 1942.--Poleman no. 883.

AKC 14. -- Poleman no. 6692 (see p. 7).

AKC 6. -- Poleman no. 6922 (see p. 7).

Wooden 1.

GUJARATI

AM 19351

Zoroastrian. A manuscript containing the first part of the Laws. In Persian, Devanagari script (Hindi?), Gujarati (?). A Persian inscription on p. 43 identified the scribe as Rustam ibn Bahr_m. Bound book. Garrett. Wooden 1.

JAVANESE

Deposit no. 9068

Unidentified. Javanese. Palm leaf book. 2 elaborate ink miniatures on both sides of each folio. 4 lines. In walnut case. Garrett. Wooden 1.

9 vols. of Javanese manuscripts found in Garrett Collection (Garrett Littman nos. 482-490). Some in the same hand, possibly part of a set. Inscription in Dutch in one of the volumes: “Geschiedenis der... van Java van Adam Klop der vorst van Mendang Komoltan.” Bound books, some in leather, Roman numerals on title page of each. Wooden 1.

Unidentified manuscript in Javanese. Book, bound in red leather with gold pattern. Garrett dep. Wooden 1.

Unidentified manuscript in Javanese. Book, bound in dark blue leather. Garrett. Wooden 1.

Unidentified manuscript in Javanese. Bound book, front cover missing. Dutch bookbinder’s label on back cover. 

PALI

112763

Unidentified. Pali. 15 lacquered, gilded palm leaves with elaborate red and gold design. One wood cover with matching painted pattern. 6 lines. 56.5 x 10.7 x 2.2 cm. Gift of J. S. Morgan. Glass 4. Poleman no. 6359. Kammavaca (Poleman records 16 leaves).

AM 14471

Unidentified. Pali (?). Palm leaf book with gilded edges. 2 lacquered wood covers. 9 lines. 51.5 x 5 x 13 cm. Gift of the Convent od St. John the Baptist, Raliston, NJ. Oct. 21. 1951. Glass 4.

892338

MS 2379.1400q

Unidentified. Pali (?). Palm leaf book, wood covers, tying cord. Minuscule script. 17 lines. 44 x 5 x 11.5 cm. Glass 4. 

AM 15978

Deposit no. 9109

[In Praise of Buddha] – Pali; Sattipatthana – Singhalese. In Pali and Sinhalese. Palm leaf manuscript. Wood covers, lacquered and painted (pattern of re, yellow, and black). Tying cord. 7 lines. 28.5 x 5.5 x 8.5 cm. Gift of Mrs. Chalfant Robinson. Nov. 13, 1957. Glass 4.

AM 16549

Unidentified. Pali manuscript. Written on sheets 30” x 12”, wrapped in red and yellow printed cloth. Gift of Colin Fry, 1959. Glass 4.

Ex 4316

A Kammav_c_ (?). Note attached to upper cover reads: “this ivory Kamawazah (Bible) was made in the reign of King Myamahbargin, Burmese year 1089, pesent year 1259. Mandalay. 17 Apr. 1899.” Burmese block script. Ivory manuscript with black, lacquered wood covers. Some leaves painted red and gold, with cliché illustrations. Contained in large wood box painted red and gold; also enclosed are Burmese vendor receipts from 1900. 4 lines. 54 x 7.5 x 1 cm. Gift of Julia Vanuxem Hebard in memory of Louis Clark Vanuxem, class of 1879. Glass 4.

532602

Nettippakara_a. Buddhat manuscript, Pali language, Cambodian script. Palm leaf book, 2 lacquered wood covers, tying cord. 5 lines. 57 x 4.5 x 24 cm. Gift of Rev. John Carrington, class of 1865. Glass 4.

AM 20167

Unidentified. Pali. Burmese script. Palm leaf book. Lacquered wood covers, painted black with gold decorations. 63 x 5.4 x 1.7 cm. 5 lines. Gift of Andrew Robinson. Dec. 31, 1969. Wooden 3.

Unidentified. Burmese script (?). Palm leaf book; gilded covers with mica (?) inlet decorations; tying cord. Encased in a pouch of woven brown-red cloth. 5 lines. 58.5 x 6.5 x 2.3 cm. Garrett. Wooden 3.

Deposit no. 7504

Unidentified (Buddhist?). Pali or Thai. Lao script. Palm leaves with lacquered and gilded wood covers, tying cord and marking stick, and wrapped in yellow and purple woven fabrick over strips of bamboo. 5 lines. Garrett.” 57.5 x 5 x 3.5 cm. Garrett. Similar to Deposit nos. 9041, 9043, 7503, 7506, 9048, 7507. Wooden 3.

Deposit no. 9041

Unidentified (Buddhist?). 4 chapters. Pali or Thai. Lao script. Palm leaves with lacquered and gilded wood covers, tying cord and marking stick, and wrapped in green and purple woven fabrick over strips of bamboo. 5 lines. Garrett.” 57.5 x 5 x 3.5 cm. Garrett. Similar to Deposit nos. 9040, 9043, 7503, 7506, 9048, 7507. Wooden 3.

Deposit no. 9040

Unidentified (Buddhist?). 8 chapters. Pali or Thai. Lao script. Palm leaves with lacquered and gilded wood covers, tying cord and marking stick, and wrapped in green and purple woven fabric over strips of bamboo. 5 lines. Garrett.” 55 x 6 x 9 cm. Garrett. Similar to Deposit nos. 9041, 9043, 7503, 7506, 9048, 7507. Wooden 3.

Dhammapiyasatta? 238 ff. Singhalese script. Palm leaves. (Poleman no. 6503).

Portion of canon. 110 ff. Singhalese script. Am 10703. (Poleman no. 6628).

Unidentified. Pali or Thai. Lao script. Palm leaf book with gilded edges. Carved wood covers, gilded, mica (?) decorations. Tying cord. Encased in a pouch of woven green cloth with embroidered patterns. 5 lines. 56 x 6.5 x 3 cm. Garrett. Wooden 3.

1996-108

Unidentified. Pali. Burmese cursive script. Palm leaf book in red-lacquered wooden covers, pegs. 10 lines. 48 x 8.5 x 5.5 cm. Gift of Stephen R. Steinhauser, class of 1942. May 30, 1996. Wooden 3.

Dep No. 9046(2). 

Unidentified Buddhist (?) fragment. Pali, Cambodian script. Palm leaves with tying cord, gilded edges. 5 lines. 55 x 5 x 1.5 cm. Garrett. Wooden 3. 

Unidentified. Buddhist (?) Pali. Cambodian script. Folder, 40 ff. 4 colored miniatures. Black covers. 5 lines. 59 x 12.5 x 6.2 cm. Garrett. Wooden 3.

Unidentified Pali or Burmese (?). Burmese cursive script. Palm leaf book. Wooden covers painted red and gold. Tying cord, metal ring. 7 lines. 50.5 x 6 x 5 cm. “Garret #4”. Wooden 3. 

Unidentified. Buddhist sutta? Pali or Thai language, Lao script. 3 chapters. Palm leaf book with gilded edges. Red painted wood covers, gilded on top. Wrapped in red, green, purple, yellow, and white fabric woven over narrow strips of bamboo; tying cord with marking stick. 5 lines. 57.5 x 5.2 x 4 cm. Similar to Deposit nos. 7503, 7504, 7506, 7507, 9040, 9041, 9043, 9048. Wooden 3. 

Unidentified. Pali or Burmese (?). Burmese cursive script. Palm leaf book. Wooden covers elaborately painted red, black, and gold; also painted on the inside. Tying cord with metal ring. 7 lines. 27.7 x 5.5 x 7.3 cm. Garret. Wooden 3. 

A Kammavaca. Pali (?). Burmese cursive script. 2 palm leaves. Gift of John Bender, class of 1942. Wooden 3.

SINHALESE

AM 18794

Buddhist text. Enclosed note by George V. Bobrinskoy (Feb. 1935) attributes it to 18th century Ceylon: “I am unable to assign any definite date to the manuscipt itself (perhaps about 200-250 years), but its contents seem to belong to the period between 5th and 7th centuries AD. As far as I can ascertain at the present time, it is one of the Monastery chronicles kept by the monks of the Buddhist monasteries of Ceylon.” Sinhalese script. Written on bamboo leaves, with carved, lacquered wood covers, 2 tying cords. 29 x 5 x 6.5 cm. Gift of John T. Smithies. Jan. 21, 1966. Glass 2.

AM 12537

Unidentified. Sinhalese script. The subject of diet is among others discussed. 16th or 27th centuries. Palm leaf book, 2 lacquered wood covers, tying cord. 6-7 lines. 14 x 4 x 2.5 cm. Gift of E. O. Balken, class of 1897. Mar. 12, 1943. Glass 2.

AM 14627

Unidentified. Sinhalese script. Palm leaf book, 2 wood covers painted in red, yellow, and black. 7-8 lines. 38 x 5.5 x 4 cm. Brekenridge Long. April 24, 1952. Glass 2.

AM 15275

Unidentified. Sinhalese (?). Palm leaf book. Wood covers painted in red, yellow, and black. 7 lines. 46 x 5.5 x 4.5 cm. Addler collection. 8 July 1954. Glass 2.

112762

Unidentified. Sinhalese. Palm leaf book, folio edges gilded and painted red. One lacquered wood cover. 5 lines. 59 x 4.5 x 4 cm. Presented by Chalmers Martin. Glass 2.

Unidentified. Palm leaf manuscript. Sinhalese (?). Palm leaf book, no covers. 5 lines. 41 x 3 x 2.5 cm. Gift of Charles H. Higgins, class of 1903. Wooden 3.

THAI

Deposit no. 7499

Unidentified. Thai. Buddhist text (?). Gold letters on black paper, folded between boards decorated in gold and black. Garrett. 52 x 10 x 3 cm. Glass 1.

Garrett no. [9]

Unidentified. Thai (?). Palm leaf book. Very elaborately decorated wood covers, gilded pattern molded onto wood, with mica (?) inlets. Encased in a pouch of native cloth with elaborate woven pattern of green and yellow. 5 lines. 60 x 6 x 2 cm. Garrett. Glass 2.

532606

Kam Wacha. Buddhist text in Thai language. A note by Rev. Howard Campbell of the North Laos Mission supplies a description of contents: “This is the service for the ordination of a Buddhist priest... This book is difficult to secure at any price in this country. Very few persons can produce them.” A detailed translation of the initial invocation is also given. Palm leaf book with gilt edges. Carved wood covers painted red. 6 lines. 53 x 5.3 x 17.2 cm. Received from Dr W. A. Briggs. Glass 3. 

532603

Unidentified. Folded paper. Titles on both cover folios. 8 lines. 35.5 x 11.5 x 2.5 cm. Gift of William Harris. Glass 3.

h’ach-pa-th_-y._-l. Thai language. Title suggested in enclosed note by Louis H. Gray: “Siamese manuscript... A note inside the manuscript says ‘signs and omens’.” Black folded paper with white script. 4 lines. 33 x 10.7 x 2.7 cm. Gift of Charles H. Higgins, class of 1904. Glass 3.

532601

Buddhist manuscript. Thai language. The Heaven and Hell temple book from Bangkok, 1869. According to the enclosed note, text at end translated means “I the Priest Chim commemorate this sacred book in Buddhism -- in order that I may be saved in Nirvana.” Folded paper, with watercolor illustrations. 5 lines. 62.5 x 14 x 11 cm. Presented by Rev. John Carrington, class of 1865. Brought to Library in 1922 by Prof. Sinclair. Glass 3. Sahassaneyarasutta. (Poleman no. 6539).

Unidentified. Thai language (?). Single palm leaf with elaborate red and gold pattern. Painted miniature in center depicting a priestess (?) with worshippers. 1 line. 58 x 5.6 cm. Glass 3.

Unidentified. Thai (?). Single palm leaf, damaged. 5 lines. 54 x 5.4. Glass 3.

AM16456

Unidentified. Thai (?) with commentary (translation?) in a different (smaller) script in between lines. Palm leaf manuscipt, no covers. 3 lines of primary text. 54 x 5 x 2.2 cm. No donor’s name given. Glass 3.

399171

Commentaries on Buddhut tipitaka. Thai languge. Palm leaf book of two parts with a dividing board. Wrapped in woven fabric of green, red, and black over strips of bamboo. 5 lines. 54 x 5 x 12.5 cm. Gift of C. H. Denman, class of 1891. Glass 3.

532604

Unidentified. Thai language. Palm leaf book, one lacquered wood cover, tying cord. Wrapped in non-native (?) red cloth with printed pattern. 59 x 5 x 11.5 cm. Gift of William Harris. Glass 3.

Unidentified. Thai(?). Cambodian script. Palm leaf book, with gilded edges. No covers. 5 lines. 55.5 x 5.5 x 2 cm. Gift of Arthur Barber, class of 1914. Wooden 3.

Dep No. 7501

Unidentified. Thai(?). Palm leaf book, with gilded edges. Lacquered wood covers, tyings cord. 5 lines. 56.5 x 5 x 5 cm. Garrett. Wooden 3.

Unidentified Buddhist sutta (according to accompanying note). Thai language, Lao script. 7 chapters. Palm leaf book with gilded edges. Red painted wood covers, gilded on top. Wrapped in red and white fabric woven over narrow strips of bamboo; tying cord with marking stick. 5 lines. 58 x 5 x 7.5 cm. Similar to Deposit nos. 9041, 9043, 7503, 7506, 9048, 7507. Wooden 3. 

Unidentified. Thai or Pali (?). Lao script. Palm leaf book. Heavy wooden covers, gilded and decorated with pattern in black ink. Tying cord. Encased in a pouch of native cloth, woven, purple and gold. 4 lines. 57 x 5.7 x 6 cm. “Garrett #11”. Wooden 3.

TIBETAN

532605

Mahayana. Buddhist text. Tibetan script on dyed paper leaves. 5 lines. One wood cover (31.2 x 10.4 cm.). 27.8 x 8.1 x 2.2 cm. Glass 1. 

530199

Note: “Tibetan manuscript on Buddhist mysticism. Written on a blue paper substance in yellow letters (6 lines to a page). Within two thick planks of native wood, the upper one stamped (carved) with gilt in high relief, the lower one painted. 17th century (?). Obtained from a monastery at Gyantse by a captain of the Royal Fusiliers engaged in the late expedition to Tibet. 70 x 18 x 7.2 cm. Glass 1.

_es rab kyi pha rol tu phyin pa rdo rje gchod pai phan yon b_ad pai mdo. A Tibetan translation of the Vajrachchhedik_-prajañ_-p_ramit_-guna-bodhaka(?)-s_tra, a Buddhist (Mah_yana) scripture. Written on black paper in yellow script. 5 lines. Two wood covers. 22.5 x 9 x 2.5 cm. Glass 1.

Tibetan Kanjur. Blockprint with carved and gilded cover portraying the Tibetan pantheon. 17-18th centuries Quing dynasty (AD 1644-1911). 7 lines. 65 x 19.2 x 12.5 cm. Garrett. Glass 1.

Deposit no. 9052

Tibetan prayer book. Tibetan, Gujarati, and other scripts. Paper folder, unbound. 5 and more lines. 31 x 8 x 0.5 cm. Garrett. Wooden 3.

Ex 4226

Tibetan prayer block. 18th century. Black wooden board with carved inscriptions. Purchased from Edward Barrett, 1928. Wooden 3. 

Deposit no. 9077

Unidentified. In Nashi Moso writing. Pictographic manuscript on thick paper. Part I, 2, 3 (of 4?). Also another manuscript of same type but in different characters. Purchased from Luzac in 1933. Garrett. Glass 1. 

AM 14439

Unidentified. Nashi Moso manuscript. Pictographic writing on thick paper. 16th century copy of original dating back several thousand years. Presented by Mrs Adrian H. Joline in 1924. Glass 1.

UNIDENTIFIED LANGUAGES

AM16068

Unidentified. Language? Single leaf from palm leaf book. Gift of Elmer Addler. Acq. Apr. 18, 1958.37.2 x 5.1 cm. Glass 1.

Unidentified. Language? Single leaf from palm leaf book. 33.6 x 3.3 cm. Glass 1

AM13451

Unidentified. Language? Script? palm leaf book. Plain wooden covers, tying cord. 4 lines. 32.5 x 3.5 x 7.5 cm. Gift of T. Leslie Shear of Princeton. August 1947. Wooden 3. 
 
 

Indic Manuscripts in the Gest Oriental Library

List compiled on Feb. 19, 1937

Gest Nos. 2165-2168: four works in Thai language

PALI

2170text on ivory. Poleman no. 6341. Kammavaca.

2171text on lacquered leaves. Poleman no. 6342. Kammavaca.

2172text on lacquered leaves. Poleman no. 6343. Kammavaca.

2173text on lacquered leaves. Poleman no. 6344. Kammavaca.

THAI

Cambodian script

4100M_h_vessa_garaj_taka (Sec. 7)

4101Dh_tukath_npakarana

4102Yamakapakarana

4103Abhidhammasa_gin_

4104Mah_pa__h_napakarana

PALI

Cambodian script

4105Puggalapanna__i. Poleman no. 6451.

4106Dbammapada. Poleman no. 6404.

4107Yamaka-a__hakath_. Poleman no. 6464. ([Pancappaharanatthahatha of Buddhaglosa])

4108Puggalapannatti. Poleman 6452.

4109Vibhañgapakara_a

4110Mah_vessañgaraj_taka (Sec.11). Polemanno. 6414-6415.

4111fragments of a Buddhist text. Poleman no. 6552.

4112Poleman no. 6553.

4113composite ms., isolated leaves and fragments from Thai and Pali texts

Lao script

4114Buddhist text unidentified

4115Yamaka. Poleman no. 6403.

4116Buddhist text, too fragile to get title. Poleman no. 6555.

Singhalese script

4121/22 Pariv_rapatha from Vinayapitaka. Poleman no. 6311.

BURMESE

Lao script

4117unidentified

Burmese round script

4119Pugglapaññatti

4120Buddhist text, unidentified

TELUGU

Telugu script
 
 

4123Poleman no. 7228 (Andranamasangrahamu of Lahsmanudu) and no. 7230 (Nanartharatnamala).


Top