Dawlat-i mustaqilah-ʼi Afghānistān va vaẓāyif-i millat-i Afghān (The independent government of Afghanistan and the duties of its citizens) is an early 20th century work on the rights and duties of citizenship for the peoples of Afghanistan. The author, Ghulam Muhyi al-Din, begins with a discussion on the role of society in the conduct of citizens and proceeds to an enumeration of the duties of citizens to the state. The book provides descriptions of the different parts of the state apparatus, including governmental ministries and courthouses. It also has sections on the equality of citizens before the law and on the importance of loyalty to the state. A section on the proper usage of parks and public spaces includes an imaginary dialogue between students, which suggests that Ghulam intended his work to be accessible for a young audience. The book likely would have been a useful instructional tool for the teaching of civics to citizens of different ages and backgrounds in a rapidly modernizing Afghanistan. The book was posthumously published in year 1307 of the Jalali (solar) calendar (i.e., 1928-29). This coincides with the abdication from the throne of the Afghan ruler Amanullah Khan (reigned 1919-29). In a section of the book on the importance of patriotism, Amanullah Khan's name has been blotted out, suggesting that the work remained in use even after his abdication. World Digital Library. On proper governance with special reference to Afghan government in early 20th century.
Complete poems of Ghulām Muḥammad Ṭarzī. Divan-i Ṭarzī (Poetic collection of Tarzi) contains verses by Ghulām Muḥammad Ṭarzī (1830-1900), mostly concerning piety, ethics, politics, and society in 19th century Afghanistan. Tarzi came from a distinguished background; he belonged to the Mohammadzai sub-lineage of the Durranis, one of two main Afghan Pashtun lineages, the other being Ghilzai. Because of their connections to Muḥammad Yaʻqūb Khān, Tarzi and his family were exiled from Afghanistan in 1882-83 by Abd al-Raḥmān Khān, a kinsman of Yaʻqūb Khān and a rival to the Afghan throne. The feeling of desolation occasioned by Tarzi's exile pervades many of the poems. Each poem is specific in theme, meaning, and place. One poem, for example, extols the verse of Mirza ʻAbd al-Qādir Bīdil, the famous Persian poet and Sufi who was instrumental in the development of "Indian-style" Persian poetry in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. In another poem, Tarzi praises the wedding of Muḥammad Yaʻqūb Khān, who in 1879 was briefly amir of Afghanistan, after he signed the Treaty of Gandamak recognizing British control of Afghanistan's foreign affairs. Each poem has a rubricated title that indicates where it was written and its purpose. On page 336, for example, it is stated that "this ghazal is written in Kandahar in response to Neamat Khan." A few poems are not titled, but each is distinguished by its conclusion with the author's pen name tarzi (stylist). The volume itself is not titled. The names and personal library stamps of several owners and readers, including that of Abdul Rauf Khan Tarzi, a descendant of the author, appear on the cover and last pages. The book is in two sections: the main one is of ghazal (lyric) verses, while the last 50 pages are in rubai (quatrain) form. The script includes several versions of Persian nastaliq, such as clear nastaliq, broken nastaliq, and uneasy nastaliq. The paper is of different qualities and colors; most text appears on plain cream paper laid down on a marbled backing. Pages have penciled Persian-Arabic numerals inserted by a reader. The marginal notes may be the author's own or by anonymous readers. The final text is a prose piece, in which Tarzi emphasizes his virtue, sorrow, and loyalty. World Digital Library.
Shiite prayer book; consists of prayers to be said on the visitation of Caliph ʻAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib's tomb. This manuscript of Durrat al-tāj (The crown jewel) is a Shiite prayer book, consisting of prayers to be said when making a visitation to the tomb of Caliph ʻAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib (circa 601-61). 'Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib is one of the most revered religious and holy figures of Islam. In Iran, he is referred to by the honorary name Amir al-Muʼminin, which translates from Arabic as “Commander of the Faithful” and is used to refer to him in Persian. Written works by 'Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib and sayings attributed to him are sacred to the Shiite faithful, particularly among Persian speakers. The manuscript was probably written in Iran, possibly in the 17th century. The paper is of a thick, cream-colored polished Middle Eastern style, without distinctive chain or laid lines, and no watermark. The text is written in black ink in naskhī script, nine lines on each page, with gold decorations between lines. The borders of the written area are lined with black ink, with profuse decoration outside of the written area. The text is rubricated. The title was added by a later hand. There is no colophon. The binding is referred to as chahargusheh, meaning a frame binding made around a Kashmiri shawl dating from the first half of the 1700s (circa 1740s). World Digital Library.