SIGNED 'ABD AL-RASHID [DAYLAMI], MUGHAL INDIA, 17TH CENTURY

Mawlana Hassan bin Mahmud Kashani Amoli, known as Hassan Kashi was a poet and mystic of the eight century, whose poetry was largely based on the Shi'a saints, especially Imam 'Ali. He held great status under Uljaytu, who constructed a mausoleum for him in Soltaniyeh which was completed and restored during the reigns of Shah Tahmasp and Fath 'Ali Shah Qajar.
This manuscript is signed by 'Abd al-Rashid [Daylami], also known as 'Rashida' (d. 1647). Our scribe was born Qazvin and studied calligraphy with his maternal uncle, famed calligrapher Mir ʿImad Hasani, most likely during his residence in Isfahan. After the assassination of his famous uncle in 1615, 'Abd al-Rashid was given shelter by Jahangir at the Mughal court. Subsequently 'Abd al-Rashid was appointed as the calligraphy instructor to Shah Jahan's favourite son Dara Shikoh. While calligraphic panels by 'Abd al-Rashid Daylami are known in collections such as panels within an album in the Walters Art Museum, (inv.no.W.668), manuscripts in his hand are less commonly found.