[MOGHUL MANUSCRIPT] HUSAYN VA'IZ KASHIFI (1436-1504). Anwar-i Suhayli [Northern India, late 17th century]. Manuscript in Persian, decorated with over 100 miniatures, of the renowned prose literary work of moral tales and anecdotes belonging to the akhlaq genre, titled Anwar-i Suhayli, which means both 'The Lights of the Star Canopus' and 'The Enlightening Suhayli' - a punning calembour alluding to Sultan Husayn Bayqara's advisor, Ahmad Suhayli. This work, a masterpiece by the Timurid intellectual Husayn Va'iz Kashifi, is, according to the Encyclopaedia Iranica, 'the most important Persian reworking of the Indian-Middle Eastern cycle of mirror-for-princes fables, known at different times and places and in various recensions as the Pañcatantra, Kalila wa Dimna, and the Fables of Bidpay. Folio, (270 x 150mm) 415 leaves in all, of which 411 text leaves [2+411+2], for a total amount of 822 pages, with some missing folios towards the final book section. L. 396v. was prepared for an illustration that was never realised; l.411r. is the manuscript's last folio.text panel's dimensions: mm. 200 x 140 approx; Persian text arrayed on a 17-line single column, penned in an elegant Northern Indian nasta'liq calligraphy in black ink, with functional words rubricated. The opening double page is embellished by means of an impressive 'unwan-piece, resulting in an expanse inhabited by minute arabesque details, quilted in burnished gold, deep blue and dark green. Throughout the manuscript, the text panel is framed by a rather thick yellow band running all over its perimeter, while borders on the outside of the text panel are profusely decorated with monochrome animal or vegetal silhouettes in green, yellow, violet, purple, orange or other colours, either obtained by repeatedly stamping single shapes, or simply by drawing and illuminating the border scenes, which often stand out against a background of slightly darker shades in the same colour. This manuscript has 108 miniatures, which can be found throughout the text. The main themes of these illustrations consist of hunting scenes, countryside entertainment and other courtly scenes such as festivals, processions, audiences, assemblies, etc.; miniatures depicting wild animals interacting with each other or with humans, as well as depictions of ascetics both Muslim and Hindu; also images of punishments and executions. Contemporary dark brown leather binding with flap, blind-tooled almond-shaped axial decorations, and other bordering modular impressions. General good condition, despite a few restored folios, some other leaves with minor defects, as well as other minor signs of time, such as flecks, smears and stains. The work consists of fourteen chapters: (1) on avoiding calumniators, slanderers; (2) on the punishment of evildoers and their disgraceful end; (3) on the benefits of agreement between friends and the advantages of mutual aid; (4) on observing the doings of enemies and not being complacent about their machinations; (5) on the dangers of carelessness and failing of one's purpose; (6) on the dangers of haste in affairs; (7) on vigilance and prudent dispensation, and how, by stratagems, to escape harm from foes; (8) on guarding against the malevolent and not trusting in their hypocritical pretenses; (9) on the virtue of forgiveness, the finest quality in rulers and holders of power; (10) on rewarding actions by just requital; (11) on the danger of seeking too much and failing in one's purpose; (12) on the virtue in rulers of clemency (13) on how kings should avoid treacherous people; ( 14) on not paying attention to the vicissitudes of time. The text of Chapters 12, 13 and 14 is missing in this manuscript. A complete essay is available upon request.