Saved from oblivion, the manuscripts of Timbuktu are now on display in Delhi

A selection of ancient manuscripts from Timbuktu, some of which date back to the 14th century, is the focus of an ongoing exhibition at Delhi’s National Museum. The show is jointly organised by the Governments of India and Mali, writes Bhumika Popli.

is supplemented with decorated margins and miniature illustrations—which is actually a rare copy of the Quran, from the 16th century. It is written in Arabic and rendered with Maghreb calligraphy, and includes notices of ownership and purchase.

Another manuscript, titled Tuḥfat al-Aḥbāb, is a travelogue written by the great traveller Al-Gharnati. The text describes Al-G harnati’s visits to parts of Egypt, Iraq and Europe among other places of the world. He insightfully writes about the historical facts and description of the topography of the places he has visited.

One of the curators at the National Museum, Khatibur Rahman, who specialises in ancient manuscripts, Arabic and Persian languages, has helped put together this particular exhibition. He said, “The most significant part of this exhibition is that the manuscripts presented here are quite useful for academic purposes as they present the history of thousands of years. One major characteristic of this exhibition also lies in its calligraphic script. Generally in India and central Asia, in Arabic and Persian languages, we find Kufic and Nastaliq script. But here we see African scripts, such as Saharan, Essouk and Maghreb, which is quite unique in itself.” Taj Mahal Meets Timbuktu: An Exhibition of Manuscripts of Timbuktu, Mali, is on view at Delhi’s National Museum till 6 June