Author: Shaikh Nizami of Ganja
Translator: H Wilberforce Clarke
Publisher: LP Publications
Year: 1995
Language: English
Pages: 831
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8186142851
Description
This volume is an English translation in prose of the "Book of Alexander the Great, relating to his adventures as a conqueror by Land", authored by Shaikh Nizami of Ganja in Persian verses.
The Sikandar Nama consists of two distinct parts - The Sikandar Nama e bara, and the Sikandar Nama, e babri. The later part is relating to the Adventures of Alexander the Great as a Sage and a Prophet, by sea.
This volume is the translation of the first part, consisting of 72 cantos, totaling to 6866 couplets of Persian verses. The work covers from the birth of Sikandar, his conquests of Zang, Dara, Ajam, Kayan, Arabia, Burda, Ray Khurasan, Hindustan, Chin, Russia etc. and the Sikandar's Search for water of life.
The cantos and the couplets in the book are numbered rendering reference easy. The book also contains alternative renderings of passages and copious notes elucidating difficult and obscure points in order the make the reader's path as smooth as easy as possible.
Contents
CHAPTER I
Invocation
CHAPTER II
On prayer to God Most High
CHAPTER III
In praise of the Lord of Prophets, Muhammad
CHAPTER IV
The night of the ascent of Muhammad, the Chosen One
CHAPTER V
On the composing of the book
CHAPTER VI
A story by way of apologue
CHAPTER VII
On the versifying of the book
CHAPTER VIII
On the pre-excellence of this book over other books
CHAPTER IX
A tale by way of apologue
CHAPTER X
The instructions given by the Prophet Khizr to Nizami
CHAPTER XI
In praise of the King, Nasratu-‘d-Din
CHAPTER XII
An address to the king
CHAPTER XIII
On the circumstances of this poem
CHAPTER XIV
On displaying desire for the joyousness of this tale; and on inclining towards the garden and the parterre
CHAPTER XV
The beginning of the book, and the relating of the truth of Sikandar’s birth
CHAPTER XVI
The instructing of Sikandar by the Sage Lukumajish, the father of Aristatalis
CHAPTER XVII
Sikandar’s sitting in royalty on the throne on Faylikus
CHAPTER XVIII
The accusation of tyranny brought before Sikandar by the Egyptians against the Ethiopians
CHAPTER XIX
Sikandar’s sending a message to the King of Zang and obtaining an answer
CHAPTER XX
Sikandar’s obtaining a victory over the army of the men of Zang
CHAPTER XXI
Sikandar’s returning from battle with the men of Zang and laying the foundations of the city of Iskandria.
CHAPTER XXII
Sikandar’s ineditating upon the punishment of Dara, and casting a lot as to victory.
CHAPTER XXIII
Sikandar’s mirror-making
CHAPTER XXIV
Dara’s demanding tribute, and Sikandar’s reply
CHAPTER XXV
Sikandar’s setting his army in array for war with Dara
CHAPTER XXVI
Dara’s expressing an opinion to his courtiers on Sikandar
CHAPTER XXVII
Dara’s letter to Sikandar, threatening and rebuking
CHAPTER XXVIII
Sikandar’s written reply to Dara
CHAPTER XXIX
Dara’s fighting with Sikandar at Mosul
CHAPTER XXX
Dara’s being slain by the hand of two of his own officers, and Sikandar’s gaining a victory
CHAPTER XXXI
Sikandar’s covenanting with the chiefs of Iran and punishing the two officers
CHAPTER XXXII
Sikandar’s marching into the country of ‘Ajam and laying waste the fire-temples
CHAPTER XXXIII
Sikandar’s arriving in the region of Isfahan and marrying Roshanak, Dara’s daughter
CHAPTER XXXIV
Sikandar’s sitting on the throne of the Kayan kings in the capital of Istakhr (Persepolis)
CHAPTER XXXV
Sikandar’s sending Aristotle with Roshanak to Greece
CHAPTER XXXVI
Sikandar’s journeying in pilgrimage to the house of the Ka’ba, and acquiring possession of the land of Arabia.
CHAPTER XXXVII
Sikandar’s marching to the country of Burda’
CHAPTER XXXVIII
Sikandar’s going in the guise of a legate to Queen Nushaba
CHAPTER XXXIX
The feast (in honor) of Nushaba
CHAPTER XL
Sikandar’s marching to the gate of gates, concealing treasures in the ground, and preparing enchantments over them.
CHAPTER XLI
Sikandar’s taking the fortress of Dizh through the prayer of a devotee, cavedwelling
CHAPTER XLII
Sikandar’s journeying to the fortress of Sarir in pilgrimage to the tomb of Kay-Khusrau, and looking into the cup
CHAPTER XLIII
Nizami speaks by way of admonition to Nasratu-‘d-Din
CHAPTER XLIV
Sikandar’s marching to the country of Ray, thence to Khurasan, and destroying the fire-temples
CHAPTER XLV
Sikandar’s marching to Hindustan
CHAPTER XLVI
Sikandar’s letter to Kaid the Hindu, Rajah of Kannauj
CHAPTER XLVII
Sikandar’s marching from Hind to Chin
CHAPTER XLVIII
Sikandar’s letter to the Khakan of Chin
CHAPTER XLIX
The Khakan’s reflection upon the answer to
CHAPTER L
The letter of the Khakan of Chin to Sikandar
CHAPTER LI
The coming of the Khakan of Chin in person in embassage to Sikandar
CHAPTER LII
The coming of the Khakan of Chin before Sikandar, and Sikandar’s suspicion against him
CHAPTER LIII
The disputation of the men of Rum and of Chin, in the presence of Sikandar and of the Khakan of Chin, on the art of delineating
CHAPTER LIV
The Khakan’s entertaining Sikandar as a guest
CHAPTER LV
Sikandar’s obtaining intelligence of the assault of the Russians, of the pillage of Burda’, and of the carrying away captive of Queen Nushaba
CHAPTER LVI
Sikandar’s entering the desert of Khifchak
CHAPTER LVII
Sikandar’s leading the army by way of Khifchak for war with Russia
CHAPTER LVIII
Sikandar’s fighting with the Russians----
The battle of the first day
CHAPTER LIX
The battle of the second day
CHAPTER LX
The battle of the third day
CHAPTER LXI
The battle of the fourth day
CHAPTER LXII
The battle of the fifth day
CHAPTER LXIII
The battle of the sixth day
CHAPTER LXIV
The battle of the seventh day
CHAPTER LXV
Sikandar’s gaining a victory over the army of Russia
CHAPTER LXVI
Sikandar’s liberating Nushaba, Queen of Burda’, from the hands of the Russians
CHAPTER LXVII
Sikandar’s toying with the damsel given him by the Khakan of Chin
CHAPTER LXVIII
Sikandar’s becoming desirous of the water of life on hearing of its qualities
CHAPTER LXIX
Sikandar’s going into the Zulmat in search of the water of life
CHAPTER LXX
Sikandar’s coming forth from the Darkness
CHAPTER LXXI
Sikandar’s returning from subduing the climes of the world and coming to Rum
CHAPTER LXXII
Conclusion of the book in praise of the praised one, Nasratu-‘d-Din