Diwan of Khahi Khorsani

Persian Text, edited with an introduction, by W. Ivanow. Humphrey Milford, Oxford University Press.

This is a collection of lyric poetry by Imam Quli, "the slave of the Imam," under the nom de plume of Khaki. The present work is an abbreviated version of the original. But "all the poems that are typical, or those that contain interesting ideas, references to dates, or names of persons, etc., are given here." The majority of the poems "are awamm, or in popular style," without "a spark of originality."

The Editor's introduction discusses the combined Shi'ite, Sufi and Isma'ili strains in the poetry, the ordinary reader being able to "admire the deep Shi'ite feelings" of the author, without ever realizing that he was an Isma'ili". This is in part due to taqiya, dissembling, but more fully accounted for by the "homogeny of the elements of which Shi'ite Sufism and the form of Isma'ilism followed by Khaki are based." These Isma'ili doctrines alluded to in scattered verses are summarized in the introduction. Among these, as would be expected, the references to the Imam hold the chief place. Of especial interest and value are references by Imam Quli to the Imams of his period. But these are not without their own problems for some names are referred to which are difficult to identify. Even so, such contemporary evidence has its value regarding a subject that is still very obscure.

There is a helpful verse index for persons, dates, places and technical terms.

Bijnor, United Provinces, India JOHN N. HOLLISTER