A manuscript of Saadi’s Golestan dated 713/1313 from the Gazi Husrev Beg Library in Sarajevo

Drkić, Munir; Salemian, Gholamreza

doi:10.22034/nf.2026.416274.1277

A manuscript of Saadi’s Golestan dated 713/1313 from the Gazi Husrev Beg Library in Sarajevo

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Munir Drkić ¹

Gholamreza Salemian ²

¹ Department of Oriental Philology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Sarajevo

² Persian Language and Literature. Razi University. Kermanshah. Iran

10.22034/nf.2026.416274.1277

Abstract

This article presents a hitherto unknown manuscript of Saadi Shirazi’s Golestan copied on Sunday,26May1313.The manuscript is a part of the GaziHusrevBeg Library collection in Sarajevo.It is the third-oldest dated manuscript of the Golestan; however, due to problems with the validity and authenticity of the earlier two manuscripts,the Sarajevo manuscript can be regarded as the oldest one with a certain date.As such,it is of immense importance for the history of the book’s text.We introduce the spread of Persian literacy and the Golestan in the Balkans,followed by a description of the manuscript’s features.Finally,we trace an even older copy belonging to Husamuddin Begler;the older copy is mentioned in the colophon of the Sarajevo manuscript.The existence of at least two Golestan copies in Anatolia until713/1313and the transfer of this old manuscript to Bosnia further confirm the spread and high status of the Persian language and literature at the western end of its geography.

Keywords

Saadi

Golestan

713/1313 manuscript

Bosnia and Herzegovina

the Gazi Husrev Beg Library

Subjects