Sadi6

Script: nasta'liq These calligraphic fragments are the first seven pages of Sa'di's Bustan (The Fruit Garden or The Orchard). The order of the first seven pages of this work all belonging to the same manuscript goes as follows: Page 1: 1-04-713.19.26, Page 2: 1-04-713.19.15, Page 3: 1-04-713.19.14, Page 4: 1-04-713.19.12, Page 5: 1-04-713.19.13, Page 6: 1-04-713.19.11, Page 7: 1-04-713.19.25 Page 6: In the last two lines of poetry, Sa'di closes his eulogy by stating that he himself wishes to follow the path of the Prophet Muhammad: That person, who chooses the way opposite of the Prophet / Will never arrive at the stage (of God) / Oh Sa'di, think not that the path of purity / One can travel, except behind the Chosen One (Mustafa, i.e., Muhammad). This copy of the Bustan may have been produced in India during the 17th century. The back of the second page (1-04-713.19.15) of this series includes a note supporting this provenance, as it states that the work was written by 'Abd al-Rashid Daylami. He was one of the famous calligraphers active at the court of the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan (r. 1627-1656) in Agra and Delhi.