Akbar’s History of the Mongols

A rare and exquisitely illustrated manuscript, 'Akbar’s History of the Mongols' (Chingīznāma), originating from the atelier of Mughal emperor Akbar (r. 1556–1605), has been meticulously documented in its current state after surviving theft, dispersal, and partial recovery. This study reconstructs the manuscript's history, detailing the loss and renumbering of 98 paintings, which were part of Rashīd al-Dīn’s 'Jāmiʿ al-tavārīkh,' a celebrated but understudied work on Mongol history. The research employs a combination of historical analysis, codicological examination, and provenance tracking to identify missing illustrations and clarify the manuscript's complex journey from Akbar's royal library in India to its eventual return to the Golestan Palace Museum Library in Tehran. This work sheds light on the cultural significance and artistic legacy of Mughal-era manuscripts while preserving a fragment of their lost visual narrative.

Melville, C. (2026). Akbar’s History of the Mongols. Journal of Islamic Manuscripts, 17(2), 121–169. https://doi.org/10.1163/1878464x-01604008