Astrolabe, by Qa'im Muhammad, Lahore, 1634/5

Object is on display.

Inventory Number:

42730

Object Type:

Object

Persons:

Muhammad Muqim (Maker (Signed by))

Date Created:

Dated 1044 A.H. (1634/5 CE)

Place Created:

Lahore Pakistan Asia

Subject Classification(s):

Astrolabes

Accession Number:

1924-0/part

Brief Description:

This astrolabe belongs to the production of the famous Lahore workshop of which we know only through the signatures on a group of objects, of which this belongs. The workshop was established by Allahdad in the mid-1500s CE, and who signs a couple of astrolabes (see for example 47376). This astrolabe is signed by one of his grandsons. He gives his name on this astrolabe as "Qaim Muhammad bin Isa bin Allah-Dad Humayun's astrolabist of Lahore". Like his brother Muhammad Muqim, Qaim Muhammad used the phrase "Asturlabi Humayuni Lahuri" to describe his grandfather. We do not know whether the family worked directly for the emperor or the court or whether their signature simply means that Allah-Dad lived at the time of the Emperor Humayun. What is certain is that both brothers attempt to make a clear connection with the emperor. Here, Qaim Muhammad dates this astrolabe as belonging to "year 8 from the accession of Shah Jahan", the Mughal Emperor reigning at the time.

Primary Inscriptions:

صنعت أقل العباد قائم محمد ابن عيسى ابن الهداد اصطرلابي لاهوري همايوني "Work of the least of the servants Qa'im Muhammad bin 'Isa bin Allah-Dad (or Ilah-Dad) Humayun's astrolabist of Lahore". Engraved on the back of the rete. سنة ١٠٤٤ جهان "Hijri year 1044". Engraved within the shadow-square on the right. سنة ٨ جلوس شاه جهان "Year 8 from the accession of Shah Jahan". Engraved in the shadow-square, on the left. سنة رومي ١٩٤٦ "Rumi year 1946". Engraved at the side of the shadow square on the right.

Provenance:

Presented by Lewis Evans. It was bought by Evans from Fenton in Cranbourne St., in September 1921.

Collection Group:

Lewis Evans Collection

Material(s):

Brass

Dimensions: