Muscat – The National Museum unveiled the manuscript Anis al Hujjaj, a 17th-century literary treasure, on loan from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Museum in Mumbai on Wednesday.

This Persian manuscript, authored by Safi bin Vali Qazvin, a Mughal court official, provides a vivid description of the hajj pilgrimage, illustrating various ports during the Mughal period along with detailed scenes from the pilgrimage itself.

During the unveiling ceremony, Jamal Hassan al Moosawi, Secretary-General of the National Museum, highlighted the manuscript’s significance. “Anis al Hujjaj enhances awareness of Oman’s historical role as a cultural and commercial hub. It sheds light on the era of the Mughal Empire in India, featuring 28 detailed illustrations that document the pilgrim fleet in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Oman, the types of wooden boats used, and the attire of the travellers,” he stated.

The manuscript, penned by Qazvin following his 1676 pilgrimage to Mecca, will remain on display for four months in the ‘Oman and the World Gallery’ at the National Museum. The exhibition aims to develop a deeper understanding of the historical connections between Oman and India during the Mughal period.

H E Amit Narang, Ambassador of India to Oman, commented on the cultural exchange facilitated by this loan. “India and Oman have deep-rooted bilateral and historical relations. The arrival of the Anis al Hujjaj manuscript is a testament to the excellent cooperation between the museums and institutions of art and heritage of both countries,” he said.

Dr Buddha Rashmi Mani, Director-General, National Museum in New Delhi, described the manuscript as a paragon of medieval Mughal literature.

“It elucidates various facets of that era, including the significance of the holy pilgrim sites of hajj and umrah, and provides insights into the preparations required for such a pilgrimage, recommended sea routes connecting India to the Gulf, and descriptions of sea vessels. It also covers medicinal details, and moral guidance provided to pilgrims,” Dr Mani elaborated.

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Museum, previously known as the Prince of Wales Museum, stands as one of India’s premier art and history museums, rich with cultural artifacts of various eras.