Memoirs of the Emperor Jahangueir
Written by Himself

Although based on a flawed manuscript source, this 1829 translation is nevertheless a fascinating reflection of Mughal historiography.

David Price (Translated by), Jahangir (Author), David Price (Translated by)

9781108056007, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 28 March 2013

154 pages
29.7 x 21 x 0.8 cm, 0.39 kg

The manuscript source for this translation of the memoirs of the Mughal emperor Jahangir (1569–1627) is the spurious Tarikh-i-Salim Shahi, produced around three years after its subject's death. Serving the East India Company from 1781 as a soldier and, following injury, as a translator, agent and judge-advocate-general, David Price (1762–1835) studied Persian and collected many manuscripts. After leaving India in 1805, he devoted his time to scholarship as a member of the Royal Asiatic Society and the Oriental Translation Fund, which awarded him its gold medal in 1830. In this work, first published in 1829, Price notes throughout where the source is illegible, problematic or incongruous. The translation is carefully made and provides an account of the reign and character of Jahangir which corresponds in places to the authentic memoirs, although containing several factual inaccuracies. Despite this, it remains a colourful reflection of Mughal historiography.

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Autobiographical memoirs of the reign of the emperor Jahangueir.

Subject Areas: Asian history [HBJF]