Professor Eva Orthmann, director of the Institute of Iranian Studies at the University of Göttingen, will deliver a lecture, “The Nujūm al-ʿulūm: translation and compilation in an encyclopedia from the Deccan,” within the permanent seminar of the G. Tsereteli Institute of Oriental Studies in the 201/202 meeting hall of Building S of Ilia State University on October 19.
Prof. Eva Orthmann’s lecture: The Nujūm al-ʿulūm: translation and compilation in an encyclopedia from the Deccan
Annotation
The Nujum al-‘ulum is an encyclopedic text compiled during the ‘Adil Shāhī period, probably by ‘Alī ‘Ādil Shāh (r. 1557–79) or a member of his court. This text is a remarkable example of knowledge transfer, as it brings together information from multiple sources, merging Indian, Arabic-Islamic, and other traditions into a single comprehensive work. It seems the ruler wanted to assemble the best available knowledge in the Deccan into a single book. The lecture will briefly describe the Nujūm al-ʿulūm and its background, and will then analyze its compilation, with a specific emphasis on the combination of Islamic and Indic lore. A focal point of the presentation will be the astronomical and astrological parts of the encyclopedia.
Information about the speaker
Eva Orthmann is a Professor at the University of Göttingen. Since 2018, she has been the director of the Institute of Iranian Studies at the University of Göttingen. In her research, Eva Orthmann’s special interest is in subjects related to the Mughal Empire, the history of science, including astral sciences and mathematics, occult sciences, and the Indo-Persian transfer of knowledge and culture.
language: English
Time: October 19, 16:00
Location: Ilia State University, 201/202 meeting hall of Building S, Acad. G. Tsereteli Pass N3
Attendance is free.
