Category Archives: Online resources

In the news: Perso-Indica

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“Perso-Indica is a research and publishing project that will produce a comprehensive Analytical Survey of Persian Works on Indian Learned Traditions, encompassing the treatises and translations produced in India between the 13th and the 19th century.”

9/03/2015 – Research
McGill University Library

Indo-Persian Manuscripts at McGill University Library

Following the request of Perso-Indica at the Library of McGill University in Montreal, the Library has decided to digitize a selection of rare Persian manuscripts dealing with Indic cultures. These manuscripts were chiefly produced in South Asia during the 18th and the 19th centuries. They are kept in the Blacker-Wood Collection and the Osler Library of McGill University in Montreal.
They have been digitized thanks to the contribution of the Institute of Islamic Studies and the Islamic Studies Library of McGill University. The following manuscripts are now available on line:
-Ṭilism-i i‘jaz, a work on amulets translated by Kishan Singh, Ms. BWL 129, copied in 1804.Available at: http://digitool.library.mcgill.ca/webclient/DeliveryManager?&pid=128702

– Tarjama-yi Satganā wa Basant rāḥ, anonymous translation from Hindi made in 1789, Ms. Bib. Osl. 7785/74. Available at: http://digitool.library.mcgill.ca/webclient/DeliveryManager?&pid=128693

– Qānūn-i ‘ishrat tarjama-yi Kūk shastr, a Persian adaptation of the materials of the Kokaśāstra, on sexology, Ms. BWL 166.Available at: http://digitool.library.mcgill.ca/webclient/DeliveryManager?&pid=128700

– Majmū‘a, a collection dealing with siyāq, Hindu mythology and castes, Ms. BWL 168. Available at: http://digitool.library.mcgill.ca/webclient/DeliveryManager?&pid=128699

– Faras nāma, tarjama-yi Sālūtar, a Persian adaptation of the teachings of the Śālihotra, a treatise on the horse and its treatment. The translation was made at Gulbarga by ‘Abd Allāh ibn Ṣafī seemingly at the request of sultan Aḥmad Walī Bahmanī (r. 1422-1435), Ms. BWL W55, illustrated manuscript, copied in 1793.
Available at: http://digitool.library.mcgill.ca/webclient/DeliveryManager?&pid=128701

-Faras nāma, tarjama-yi Sālhūtar, an anonymous Persian version of the Śālihotra, Ms. BWL W31, copied in 1839.
Available at: http://digitool.library.mcgill.ca/webclient/DeliveryManager?&pid=128694

For more information see: Adam Gacek, 2005, Persian Manuscripts in the Libraries of McGill University: Brief Union Catalogue, Montreal, McGill University Libraries.
More manuscripts are in the process of being digitized, so stay tuned.

NEW: Arabic literature subject guide

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The Islamic Studies Library launched a new subject guide focusing on Classical and contemporary Arabic literature. This selection of sources comprises encyclopedias and dictionnaries, databases, journals (print and electronic), and internet sites.

Classical and contemporary Arabic literature McGill Library - McGill UniversityThe Classical and contemporary Arabic literature subject guide can be accessed in two ways:

1. Via the Islamic Studies Library website
Islamic Studies Library McGill Library - McGill University2. Via the list of subject guides (under Islamic and Middle East Studies)
Subject guides McGill Library - McGill University

Check it out and let us know what you think!

 

New resource: The Oxford encyclopedia of philosophy, science, and technology in Islam

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Hi friends! The ISL has recently acquired The Oxford encyclopedia of philosophy, science, and technology in Islam. One of few resources of its kind, “this work includes complete coverage of Islamic philosophy, sciences, and technologies from the classical through contemporary period. Containing scholarly overviews of the thinkers, movements, instruments, theories, institutions, processes, events, and historical developments related to Islamic classical history and the contemporary quest for knowledge, this encyclopaedia provides scholars and advanced students with in-depth surveys on the most important issues in the study of these topics, serving as the authoritative reference work on this important area of research.” (Ibrahim Kalin, 2014). With over 250 entries, this should be a helpful reference source for “Libraries in the Ottoman Empire and Turkey,” “Surgery and Surgical Sciences,” or the Ismaili philosopher of the Fatimid Empire, “Ḥamīd al-Dīn Aḥmad ibn ʿAbdallāh Abu’l-Ḥasan al-Kirmānī.”

Access “The Oxford encyclopedia of philosophy, science, and technology in Islam.” It is also included in the Islamic and Middle East studies Subject Guide.

Strokes and Hairlines Digital Exhibition

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As part of the 60th anniversary of the Institute of Islamic Studies and Islamic Studies Library, jointly founded in 1952 Mr. Adam Gacek curated an exhibition celebrating the unique materials held by McGill University. A catalogue of the exhibition, entitled Strokes and Hairlines: Elegant Writing and its Place in Muslim Book Culture was published. Mr. Gacek also provided an enthralling talk of the items on display. And now, we are proud to present you with a digital exhibition of these items.

Strokes and Hairlines Digital Exhibition

The digital exhibition contains all items that had been on display. Enjoy the site and let us know what you think.

Meetings with Books Special Collections in the 21st Century. With a Tribute to Raymond Klibansky Illustrated Survey of Special Collections at McGill University Library and Archives

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The holiday season is upon us and the ISL will be closed as of 3pm today only to re-open its doors on the 5th of January 2015 at 9am. This has been another successful year for the ISL in terms of attendance (over 61,700 unique visitors), collection development (close to 3,000 items added including approximately 150 reference materials) and a number of additional activities (exhibitions, talks, information sessions, etc.). It’s been a busy year! Thank you for your support and enthusiasm in the ISL’s activities!

MeetingsOn a different note, a new publication has been released entitled: “Meetings with Books: Special Collections in the 21st Century. With a Tribute to Raymond Klibansky.  Illustrated Survey of Special Collections at McGill University Library and Archives.” This collaborative effort led by Drs. Jillian Tomm and Richard Virr of McGill’s RBSC provides an enlightening survey of the magnificent collections housed in RBSC. Included in those collections are many Islamic materials inclusive of Manuscripts (the image comes from the Dalāʼil al-khayrāt, RBD A6), Calligraphy, Lithographs and Rare Books. One is able to order a physical copy through contacting Dr. Tomm but there’s also an online open access version here.

Happy Holidays from the ISL’s staff and we look forward to seeing you in 2015!

 

The McGill Institute of Islamic Studies Tehran Branch publications now online!

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Housing a library, equipped with some of the most important manuscripts and reference materials of different Islamic Sciences, the Tehran Branch has produced over 200 volumes of major works by Islamic-Iranian scholars, many of which are accompanied by introductions and/or translations into foreign languages.

Over the course of the past two years, the Islamic Studies Library at McGill digitized the publications of the Tehran Branch which are now fully accessible on the Tehran Branch Publications webpage, and via the McGill Library catalogue system.

Cambridge Archive Editions Online

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Hi friends!

We currently have a 30 day trial of Cambridge Archives Edition Online. The trial runs from 1-31 October 2014. The CAE offers a plethora of primary sources in translation. From their website: “The collections of key documents are always made on specific and well-defined areas of research and each collection has the added value of arrangement into specific topics and document by document identification/description. The series of political reports focus on completeness and organisation of material previously unknown or scattered. Each collection is researched and edited by a professional researcher and sometimes also in cooperation with an academic specialist and presented in facsimile.”

Further information is here.

Access this incredible resource here.

Please let us know what you think!

 

Oxford Dictionaries: Arabic

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Hi friends!
We currently have a 30-day trial with this new online resource. From their website:

Oxford Dictionaries | Arabic is a new groundbreaking resource for those with an interest in the Arabic language. Structured by Oxford’s renowned language research and compiled by an international team of expert advisors, the dictionary is based on language as it’s used today. Oxford Dictionaries | Arabic contains the latest vocabulary in technology, business, media, and the arts in both languages to ensure you have the most up-to-date words at your fingertips.

Key Features Include:

  • Over 330,000 words, phrases, and translations
  • 70,000 real life example sentences
  • Vowels in all Arabic text
  • Fully searchable in Modern Standard Arabic and English
  • Regular word and content updates to ensure this resource is the most up to date bi-directional Arabic and English dictionary available
  • Incorporates extra content including tables of Arabic verbs, numbers, and dates
  • Modern and user-friendly design is optimized for use on a phone or tablet

Click here to explore: http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/arabic/

Please let us know what you think.

South Asian newspapers

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Another new addition to McGill’s electronic resources is the South Asian newspapers database. Created by the Center for Research Libraries and Readex, it ” features titles published in India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Languages include English, Bengali, Gujarati, and others. Titles include such key publications as: Amrita Bazar Patrika (Calcutta), Bankura Darpana (Bankura, India), Madras Mail (Madras), Tribune (Lahore, Pakistan) and the Ceylon Observer (Sri Lanka). A complete list of titles is available on Readex’s site.”

For further information, read here.

South Asian newspapers.