㻺㻵㻴㼁㻌㻼㼞㼛㼓㼞㼍㼙㻌㻵㼟㼘㼍㼙㼕㼏㻌㻭㼞㼑㼍㻌㻿㼠㼡㼐㼕㼑㼟㻌TIAS Central Eurasian Research Series㻺㻵㻴㼁㻌㻼㼞㼛㼓㼞㼍㼙㻌㻺㻵㻴㼁㻌㻼㼞㼛㼓㼞㼍㼙㻌
No. 10㻵㼟㼘㼍㼙㼕㼏㻌㻭㼞㼑㼍㻌㻿㼠㼡㼐㼕㼑㼟㻵㼟㼘㼍㼙㼕㼏㻌㻭㼞㼑㼍㻌㻿㼠㼡㼐㼕㼑㼟

Documents from Private Archives
in Right-Bank Badakhshan(Introduction)
KAWAHARA Yayoi(The University of Tokyo)

andUmed MAMADSHERZODSHOEV(Institute of Humanitarian Sciences,
Academy of Sciences, Republic of Tajikistan)㼀㻵㻭㻿㻦㻌㻰㼑㼜㼍㼞㼠㼙㼑㼚㼠㻌㼛㼒㻌㻵㼟㼘㼍㼙㼕㼏㻌㻭㼞㼑㼍㻌㻿㼠㼡㼐㼕㼑㼟㻯㼑㼚㼠㼑㼞㻌㼒㼛㼞㻌㻱㼢㼛㼘㼢㼕㼚㼓㻌㻴㼡㼙㼍㼚㼕㼠㼕㼑㼟㻌㻳㼞㼍㼐㼡㼍㼠㼑㻌㻿㼏㼔㼛㼛㼘㻌㼛㼒㻌㻴㼡㼙㼍㼚㼕㼠㼕㼑㼟㻌㼍㼚㼐㻌㻿㼛㼏㼕㼛㼘㼛㼓㼥㼀㼔㼑㻌㼁㼚㼕㼢㼑㼞㼟㼕㼠㼥㻌㼛㼒㻌㼀㼛㼗㼥㼛㻌㻌

Published by
NIHU Program Islamic Area Studies
TIAS: Department of Islamic Area Studies,
Center for Evolving Humanities,
Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology,
The University of Tokyo

7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033 JAPANCopyright © 2015 Department of Islamic Area Studies, Center for Evolving Humanities,
Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology, The University of Tokyo

KAWAHARA Yayoi and Umed MAMADSHERZODSHOEVDocuments from Private Archives in Right-Bank Badakhshan (Introduction)
Central Eurasian Research Series No.10
ISBN 978-4-904039-89-2
Printed by
TOKYO PRESS Co., LTD.
Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan

CONTENTS

Preface ································································································ v

Introduction ··························································································· 1
I. Historical Background ············································································· 1
II. Documents from Private Archives ······························································· 4Documents from Private Archives in Right-Bank Badakhshan ·············· 20
I. Documents related to ƖghƗ KhƗns ································································ 20
A. Decrees ························································································· 20
B. Receipts ·························································································· 32
C. Others ··························································································· 48
II. Documents related to mukhƯs ····································································· 49
A. Orders ··························································································· 49
B. Tables on collected zakƗt ······································································· 52
C. Other ···························································································· 53
III. Genealogies ························································································ 54
IV. Other documents related to religious matters ·················································· 57
V. Orders ······························································································ 59
VI. Deeds ······························································································· 64
VII. Letters ····························································································· 88

Simplified map of present-day Right-Bank Badakhshan ························ 95

PREFACE
The present work is the result of a Solicited Research Topic titled “Basic Research on Religious
Culture and Politics in Central Asian Mountain Areas in the Last Three Centuries,” which was
carried out between 2011 and 2012 at TIAS: the Department of Islamic Area Studies, in theCenter for Evolving Humanities, part of the Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology at
the University of Tokyo.
This work introduces the historical documents found and copied from private archives
in the villages in the region on the right bank of the Panj River, present-day Gorno-Badakhshan
Autonomous Province, the Republic of Tajikistan, during our two expeditions. The work isdivided into two volumes: the first one produces facsimiles of the documents (it is alreadypublished: KAWAHARA Yayoi and Umed MAMADSHERZODSHOEV eds., Documents from
Private Archives in Right-Bank Badakhshan (Facsimiles), Central Eurasian Research Series
No. 8, Tokyo: Department of Islamic Area Studies, Center for Evolving Humanities, Graduate
School of Humanities and Sociology, the University of Tokyo, 2013), and the second andcurrent presents the introduction to the documents.
In the course of the preparation of this publication, we received cooperation andassistance from various organizations and individuals. Dr. Stéphane A. Dudoignon(CETOBaC/EHESS) provided us with invaluable scientific advice on various issues at eachstage from the formation of our research group to final editing of this book. Dr. Susan Asili(The University of Tehran) diligently assisted in deciphering the documents. During ourfieldwork in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province, Mrs. Sabohat Donayorova’s help
and support were indispensable. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to thesecolleagues and supporters for their help and assistance.

This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number 25770254 (Grant-in-Aid
for Young Scientists (B)).

KAWAHARA Yayoi(The University of Tokyo)
Umed MAMADSHERZODSHOEV(Institute of Humanitarian Sciences,
Academy of Science, Republic of Tajikistan)vi

INTRODUCTION

Introduction

I. Historical BackgroundIn this publication, “Right-Bank Badakhshan” refers to the area populated by the
Pamiris within the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province of the Republic of
Tajikistan located on the right bank of the Panj River in the upstream area of the Amu
Darya River.
Historically, “Badakhshan” is the area located on the left bank of the Panj Riverthat roughly coincides with the present-day Badakhshan Province of Afghanistan; thecentral city of Fayzabad is situated in the valley of the Kokcha River that flows into
the Amu Darya River. The majority of Badakhshan’s population speaks Dari/Persianas their mother tongues and belongs to the Sunni denomination of Islam. On bothbanks of the Panj River, which flows in the environs of the north-eastern borders of
Badakhshan, and along its upper tributaries, there are located numerous valleys, suchas Wakhan, Ishkashim, Shakhdara, Ghund, Rushan, Bartang and Yazghulam, inhabitedwith peoples speaking, respectively, Wakhi, Ishkashimi, Shughni, Bartangi, Yazghulami
and other Pamir languages. The Pamir languages, unlike Tajik, Dari or Persian, belong
to the eastern Iranian linguistic group of the Iranian languages and do not have writing
systems. These Pamiris peoples follow the Ismaili branch of Shiite Islam.1
The people of Pamir believe that their acceptance of Ismaili teaching goes backto Nāṣir Khusraw (d. 1070s), a preacher (dā‘ī) of the Fatimid Caliphate period, whoin the second half of the 11th century lived in seclusion in Yumgān in Badakhshan andpropagated the faith there.2 However, there are a lot of unclear points regarding the
local residents’ religious practices or the rulers in the subsequent times.
1

2

The Tajiks living in the Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County of the Xinjiang Uyghur
Autonomous Region of China also speak the Sarikoli dialect of Shughni and adhere to theIsmaili branch. In addition, there are Ismaili communities in the Chitral District of the Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa Province, as well as in the Ghizer and Gilgit Districts of the Gilgit Baltistan
Region.
A.E. Bertel’s, Nasir-i khosrov i ismailizm, Moskva: Izd-vo vostochnoi lit-ry, 1959;“Badakhshān,” Encyclopaedia of Islam.
1

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

In the course of the succession struggle that occurred after the death of the 18th
imam (the 8th Fatimid caliph) al-Mustanṣir Billāh (d. 1094) between his two sons,Niẓār and Aḥmad, the Ismailis divided into two factions. Eventually, Aḥmad managed
to assume the imam’s title as al-Musata‘alī Billāh (the Musata‘alī sect), but Ḥasan alṢabbāḥ, who was an influential dā‘ī of that time, sided with Niẓār, established theNiẓāriyya, with the center at Alamūt, and expanded his influence over Iran and Syria.
Although the history of Niẓāriyya after the fall of Alamūt to the invading Mongolianarmy in 13th century has not been sufficiently elucidated, there are vague indications
that the imams resided in Azerbaijan. Their lineages are also not clear; however, it
is known that in the second half of the 14th century, the Muḥammad Shāhī imāmsemerged in Daylam on the Caspian coast of Iran, and in the second half of the 15th
century the Qāsim shāhī imāms emerged in Anjudān in the outskirts of Maḥallāt (theenvirons of the present-day Markazī Province, Arāk). Meanwhile, in addition to thebelievers who survived in India’s Punjab, Sindh and Gujarat and formed communities
of so called Khojas, some believers survived in Syria and mountainous regions ofCentral Asia.3 Qāsim shāhī imāms affiliated with the Ni‘mat Allāhī ṣūfī order and,gradually expanding their influence under the Safavids’ policy of protection and support
for Sufi orders, began their political activities. Imām Abū al-Ḥasan Shāh was a rulerof Kirmān from 1756 till his death sometime between 1791 and 1792. His son, Shāh
Khalīl Allāh, won the favor of the monarch of the Qajar Dynasty, Fatḥ ‘Alī Shāh, but
was assassinated by fanatical Twelvers in 1817. His son, Ḥasan ‘Alī Shāh, who became
the 46th imam, was married to the daughter of Fatḥ ‘Alī Shāh, who bestowed him withthe title of Āghā khan. Ḥasan ‘Alī Shāh / Āghā khān I attempted to regain rule over the
Kirmān region, but his endeavor failed and, in 1840, he fled to Afghanistan.4
There, Āghā khān I collaborated with the British in the First Afghan War,
and, having gained their trust for that, later moved to Bombay. Because there
were communities of Khojas in Bombay, after the arrival of Āghā khān I, frictions
between the two camps arose there. Finally, Āghā khān I appealed to the court oflaw, and, in 1866, won the suit with the judgment stating, “Recognize that Khojas
3

4

2

W. Ivanow, “Tomb of Some Persian Ismaili Imams,” Journal of the Bombay Branch of
the Royal Asiatic Society, 14, 1938; Azim Nanji, The Nizārī Ismā‘īlī tradition in the IndoPakistan subcontinent, Delmar, N.Y.: Caravan Books, 1978, pp. 50-96; “Ismā‘īliyya,”
Encyclopaedia of Islam.
Hamid Algar, “The Revolt of Āghā Khān Maḥallātī and the Transference of the Ismāʿīlī
Imamate to India”, Studia Islamica, no. 29, 1969, pp. 55–81; “Ismā‘īliyya,” Encyclopaedia ofIslam.

INTRODUCTION

present a community of the Ismaili branch, that Āghā khān I is the spiritual head of
this community, and that religious dues collected from Khojas belong to him.” This
judgment established the position of Āghā khān I as imam and advanced developmentof the Ismaili community in India. Āghā khān I was succeeded on his death in 1881 byĀghā ‘Alī Shāh / Āghā khān II (r. 1881-1885) who served as imam for four years until
his sudden death in 1885. Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā khān III (r. 1885-1957),
having succeeded his late father at an early age, during his long imamate, actively
promoted modernization of the Ismaili communities.5
Around the same time, the process of demarcation was developing along the Panj
River as the result of which Right-Bank Badakhshan gradually became the territory of
Russia. In the second half of the 19th century, Badakhshan became the front line for the“Great Game” between Britain and Russia. Following the British-Russian negotiations
held between 1872 and 1873, it was decided to determine the northern border ofAfghanistan at the Panj River. However, before Russia directly preoccupied itself withthe affairs in this territory, in 1883, Afghanistan’s ‘Abd al-Raḥmān khān, in violationof the treaty, crossed the border and took the right bank under his rule. Representativesof the residents of the Shughnān and Rūshān districts, who could no longer stand theviolence and heavy taxes imposed by the Afghans, sent their delegation to the Ferghana
Military Governor of the Turkestan Governor-Generalship to request that both districts
be annexed to Russia. After new British-Russian consultations conducted in February
and March 1895, it was finally decided to define the border by the Panj River, withthe left bank being the territory of Afghanistan, and the right bank being the territoryof the Amirate of Bukhara, a Russian protectorate.6 In the meantime, Russia had been
advancing in the East Pamir by establishing in 1885 the Pamirskii post in Murghab,
which in 1891 to 1892 was reorganized into the Pamir district of the Ferghana Provinceand put under the governance of the Commander of the Pamir Detachment.7 After the567“Agha Khān,” Encyclopaedia of Islam. Since 1957, Shāh Karīm al-Ḥusaynī / ‘Alī Āghākhān IV has been occupying the position of Imam. The headquarters of the Ismaili branch
was moved to Paris and there founded an NGO, known as the Aga Khan Foundation, thatis currently engaged in development assistance in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan. In
Tajikistan, various development assistance projects are being implemented in a number oflocations. The large-scale development activities include founding universities and various
language schools, and constructing bridges over the Panj River.
“Viloyati avtonomii Badakhshoni kuhi,” Entsiklopediiai sovetii tojik, 1, 1978, p. 623; U.Sh.
Mamadsherzodshoev, N.Dzh. Dzhonboboev and M.Ia. Iaminova, Pamir: priroda, istoriia,
kul’tura, Bishkek: Universitet Tsentral’noi Azii, 2007, pp. 24-25.
“Badakhshān,” Encyclopaedia of Islam.
3

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

Russian Revolution, when the Turkestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic wasestablished on April 30, 1918, the Pamir was included within it as the Special Regionof Pamir. On January 2, 1925, the Special Region of Pamir changed its name to GornoBadakhshan Autonomous Province and was incorporated into the Tajik Autonomous
Soviet Socialist Republic (the Autonomous Republic was created within the Uzbek
Soviet Socialist Republic on October 14, 1924 and was transformed into a full-fledged
Union Republic, the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic, on December 5, 1929). The capitalof the province was placed in Khorog (Khorugh in Tajik).8
With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic
became an independent state, the Republic of Tajikistan. The present-day GornoBadakhshan Autonomous Province consists of seven districts, one of which, theMurghab district, which occupies the eastern half of the Province, is predominantly
populated by Kyrgyz. The western half comprises six districts that stretch from north tosouth, namely Darvaz, Vanj, Rushan, Shughnan, Rashtqala and Ishkashim, the southernfour of which are populated by the Pamiri peoples.9 The documents this volume deals
with were also discovered in these four districts.

II. Documents from Private Archives
The source historical documents available for history research on the Right-Bank
Badakhshan / Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province are very limited in comparison
with other Central Asian areas. Historical study of this region has been mostly
advanced by Soviet and Tajikistan researchers. As to the history of the period after thecollapse of the Timurid dynasty until annexation into the Russian Empire, in addition
to using Ta’rīkh-i Badakhshān by Faẓl ‘Alī bīk Ṣurkh-afsar as a main source, there arealso studies that actively employ stone monuments.10 Also, during the Soviet times, a“Viloyati avtonomii Badakhshoni kuhi,” Entsiklopediiai sovetii tojik, 1, 1978, p. 623;
“Tojikiston,” Entsiklopediiai sovetii tojik, 7, 1987, p. 398.
9
The Darvaz district had been originally inhabited by Tajiks adhering to Sunni Islam. The
Vanj district used to be populated by Ismailis speaking the Vanji and Yazghulami languages.
These Ismailis now belong to Sunni Islam. The Vanji language died in the 19th century.
“Badakhshān,” Encyclopaedia of Islam.
10
Ta’rīkh-i Badakhshān: Istoriia Badakhshana, podgotovil k izdaniiu A.N. Boldyrev,
Leningrad: Izdatel’stvo Leningradskogo universiteta, 1959; K. El’chibekov, “Genealogiia
shugnanskikh pravitelei XVIII-XIX vv.” Pamir, vyp. 1, Dushanbe: Izdatel’stvo “Donish,”
1984.
8

4

INTRODUCTION

government-led source study was carried out in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous
Province. In 1959 to 1963, the Institute of the Peoples of Asia, the Academy of Scienceof the USSR, and the Department of Oriental Studies of the Academy of Science of
Tajik SSR conducted joint research on manuscripts, and discovered 117 manuscripts
including a collection of verses by Nasir-i Khusraw.11 In 1960, 1971 and 1974, theInstitute of History, the Academy of Science of Tajik SSR, carried out research onstone monuments and textual sources, which led to the discovery of more than 100 new
documents.12 However, after the research, these newly found sources seem to not havebeen sufficiently examined in historical studies.
We twice made research trips, in 2009 and 2011, in search of documents held
in private possession. In 2009, we conducted fieldwork at Langar and Zong villagesof the Ishkashim district, Barvoz village of the Rashtqala district and Khorogh of the
Shughnan district, and gathered five collections of documents totaling 116 items.13 In
2011, within the framework of the Solicited Research Topic titled “Basic Research
on Religious Culture and Politics in Central Asian Mountain Areas in the Last Three
Centuries”, we conducted fieldwork at Tavdem and Khidorjev villages of the Rashtqala
district, Khorogh town, Rivak and Suchon villages of the Shughnan district andBarrushan village of the Rushan district, where we gathered seven collections of 48
documents in total.14
Among the 164 items collected, two items were photocopies of the original
documents,15 one document was rendered illegible by water damage,16 one document
A. Bertel’s and M. Bakoev, Alfavitnyi katalog rukopisei, obnaruzhennykh v GornoBadakhshanskoi avtonomnoi oblasti ekspeditsiei 1959-1963 gg., Moskva: Izd-vo “Nauka”,
Grav. red. vostochnoi rit-ry, 1967.
12
A. Mukhtarov, “Sbor istoricheckikh istochnikov na territorii GBAO,” Pamir, vyp. 1,
Dushanbe: Izdatel’stvo “Donish,” 1984.
13
This fieldwork was carried out by four participants: SAWADA Minoru (The University of
Toyama), KAWAMOTO Masatomo (Naragakuen University), KAWAHARA Yayoi (The
University of Tokyo) and Umed MAMADSHERZODSHOEV (Institute of Humanitarian
Sciences, Academy of Science, Republic of Tajikistan).
14
The team for this project included four participants: SAWADA Minoru (The Universityof Toyama), INABA Minoru (Kyoto University), KAWAHARA Yayoi (The Universityof Tokyo) and Umed MAMADSHERZODSHOEV (Institute of Humanitarian Sciences,
Academy of Science, Republic of Tajikistan). In addition to collecting textual historicalsources, we also conducted a survey on sacred places in the above three districts and the
Murghab district.
15
Langar 1 and Suchon 18.
16
Langar 12.
11

5

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

was related to another area not pertaining to the current document possessor,17 two
items were not properly scanned due to technical faults,18 two items were a newspaper
and a leaflet19 and four items presented private letters or memos of no historicalsignificance.20 We have excluded these documents from the current research; therefore,
it is the 152 documents left that are introduced in this publication. The numbers
assigned to documents within each collection correspond to the order in which the
documents were scanned during the fieldwork. The content of each collection per eachpossessor is indicated in Table 1 below. However, the possessors’ names and detailed
addresses are withheld out of consideration for their privacy.
The oldest among the collected documents is a deed issued in May 1747; and themost recent one is a booklet published at the end of World War II. As for the languages
used, most of the documents (146 items) are written in Persian,21 five in Russian22 andone in Turkic.23 Among the documents that indicate a date of issuance or that can bedated to a certain period, 30 items date back to the times prior to Russian rule,24 49
were written in the period of Russian rule that began in March 1895 and 48 belong to
the Soviet period that started in April 1918.25
The content of the documents cover a wide diversity of topics; however, forresearch purposes, we have roughly classified them into the following seven categories.
I. “Documents Related to Āghā khāns” that include 54 items that constitute themost valuable part of the collected documents. By their content, the documents can be
sub-divided into the following three groups: Group A consists of 18 decrees sent fromĀghā khān I and Āghā khan III during the period between October 1859 and March
to April 1936. These documents are very concrete in content, as they contain orders
regarding appointment of mukhīs (pīrs) and collection of zakāt (sometimes including
its transportation routes) in each area in the Right-Bank Badakhshan, as well as specificinstructions for such events as dispute settlements. Also, the texts clearly indicate that
Barvoz 2.
Barvoz 21 and Kharugh 6.
19
Porshinev 5 and Suchon 19.
20
Langar 19, Langar 21, Barvoz 39 and ZongA 27.
21
Twelve of the documents in Persian also contain Russian texts on the reverse side. These
documents are VI-6, VI-11, VI-12, VI-13, VI-15, VI-16, VI-22, VI-23, VI-25, VI-26, VI-32
and VI-36.
22
VI-21, VI-35, VI-43, VI-51 and VI-52.
23
VI-44.
24
Including documents I-C-1, I-B-17 and I-B-18 that don’t carry an indication of a date.
25
Including documents IV-5, VI-49 and VI-52 that don’t carry an indication of a date.
17
18

6

INTRODUCTION

mukhīs were appointed based on the recommendation from local jamā‘at. Group B
consists of 34 zakāt receipts sent from Āghā khān I and Āghā khan III during the period
between December 1849 and January to February 1930. These documents show that, indifferent times, zakāt was paid in Bukharan gold, Russian gold, Chinese Yambu, Indianrupees and other monetary forms, as well as in such articles as gold buttons or silver
necklaces. The documents included in Group C present a letter sent from Āghā khan I
to Fatḥ ‘Alī Shāh of the Qajar dynasty sometime between 1830 and 1834 (the fact that
this letter is currently preserved in Badakhshan implies that the letter had never beendelivered to Fatḥ ‘Alī Shāh) and a note of sayings of Āghā khan III taken in 1913.
II. “Documents Related to mukhīs” that include eight items that also present highly
valuable source material. These documents can be sub-divided into the following threegroups by their content: Group A consists of five mukhī orders. They show that mukhī,among his other functions, appointed khalīfa (a representative of mukhī), and gave
specific instructions on collecting zakāt . Group B consists of two tabled lists of thecollected zakāt . Group C consists of one condolence letter written by mukhī.
Category III includes three genealogies attesting to sayyid origin. Some families
in the Right-Bank Badakhshan, who draw genealogies claiming to be descendents ofFāṭima, the daughter of the Prophet Muḥammad, and the first imam, ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib,seem to have been of significant importance within the context of Ismaili religious
culture.
Category IV “Other documents related to religious matters” includes five items,
such as a memorandum on sayyids, prayer (du‘ā) and fatwā. Among them, a booklet
published probably during World War II should be of particular interest to researchers
as it sheds light on the social functions of Ismaili leaders during the Soviet period.
Category V consists of 13 “Orders”. These documents belong to different periods:
the times when the region was ruled by Amirs of Bukhara, the times it was put undercontrol of the Pamir Detachment of the Russian Empire and the period of the Turkestan
Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.
Category VI comprises 52 “Deeds”; those documents that carry a date were issued
in the period from May 1747 to 1923 to 1924. While dealing with various matters ofprivate life, such as land ownership or inheritance, these documents also provide a lotof information regarding ways and state of governance in each period.
Category VII consists of 17 “Letters”. Although some letters are of a private
character, they may well provide clues to understanding the social and economic
background of the time when they were written.
Each document is accompanied by a short explanatory title according to its
7

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

content. For documents carrying a date, the date is indicated; dates according to the
Hijri or Julian calendars are accompanied with a bracketed indication of the dateaccording to the Gregorian (Western) calendar.26 Within each category the documents
are arranged in the order of their dates. Next comes a brief review of the document
content; particular efforts were made not to omit personal and geographic names,
as well as special terms. If a document bears a seal, the text of its inscription is also
indicated where possible; however, many seals could not be deciphered. For documents
verified by witnesses, witnesses’ names are indicated. Finally, the document’s size andnumber within the collection is indicated.
Basically, the annotations for the documents under Categories I and II are writtenby Umed MAMADSHERZODSHOEV,27 and from Category III to Category VII by
KAWAHARA Yayoi.

Documents from the period of the Russian Empire carry dates according to the Juliancalendar. After the Russian Revolution, the next day after January 31, 1918, by the Juliancalendar, was set not to February 1 but to February 14, by the Gregorian calendar. The
difference between Julian and Gregorian calendar dates in the 19th century (the documents
dated from February 18, 1800 to February 28, 1900) was 12 days, and in the 20th century (thedocuments dated from March 1, 1900 to January 1, 1918) was 13 days.
27
KAWAHARA was also in charge of Document I-C-1.
26

8

INTRODUCTION

Table 1 Concordance of Items
Collection “Barrushan”
Barrushan village, Rushan district
10th August 2011
Document
Introduction
Contents
Number
Entry Number
Barrushan 1 Decree of Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān I issued to the I-A-2
jamā‘at of Rūshān in 1856
Barrushan 2 Receipt of zakāt issued by Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān
I to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān and Mīrzā Band ‘Alī in
1867

I-B-6

Barrushan 3 Receipt of zakāt issued by Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān
I to Mīrzā Band ‘Alī in 1867

I-B-5

Barrushan 4 Receipt of zakāt issued by Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān
I to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān and Mūkhī Mīrzā Band
‘Alī in 1871

I-B-11

Barrushan 5 Receipt of zakāt issued by Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān
I to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān and Mūkhī Mīrzā Band
‘Alī, and other officials in 1871

I-B-10Barrushan 6 Receipt of zakāt issued by Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān
I to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān and Mīrzā Band ‘Alī in
1876

I-B-15

Barrushan 7 Receipt of zakāt issued by Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān
I to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān and Mīrzā Band ‘Alī in
1876

I-B-14

Barrushan 8 Receipt of zakāt issued by Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān
I to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān and Mīrzā Band ‘Alī

I-B-18Barrushan 9 Receipt of zakāt issued by Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān
I to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān and Mīrzā Band ‘Alī

I-B-17

Barrushan 10 Genealogy of Sayyid Malik Jahān Shāh / Sayyid ‘Umar
Yamghī

III-2

9

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

Collection “Barvoz”
Barvoz village, Rashtqala district
14th September 2009
Document
Introduction
Contents
Number
Entry Number
Barvoz 1
Letter to Qāḍī Muẓaffar and Aqsaqāl Khudāyār in 1901- VII-1
02
Barvoz 2---

No entry

Barvoz 3

Deed issued in 1909

VI-9

Barvoz 4

Deed issued in 1912

VI-13

Barvoz 5

Deed issued in 1912

VI-14

Barvoz 6

Deed issued in 1913-14

VI-18

Barvoz 7

Deed issued in 1915

VI-20

Barvoz 8

Deed issued in 1915

VI-19

Barvoz 9

Deed issued in 1916

VI-26

Barvoz 10

Deed issued in 1916

VI-23

Barvoz 11

Deed issued in 1918

VI-29

Barvoz 12

Deed issued in 1918

VI-30

Barvoz 13

Deed issued in 1909

VI-10

Barvoz 14

Deed issued in 1918

VI-32

Barvoz 15

Deed issued in 1920

VI-40

Barvoz 16

Letter from Mīr Muḥammad Raḥīm sent to Īshān QāḍīRustam in 1919

VII-5

Barvoz 17

Deed issued in 1919

VI-36

Barvoz 18

Letter from militiamen sent to the head of the PāmīrShughnān Province in 1919

VII-6

Barvoz 19

Deed issued in 1918

VI-31

Barvoz 20

Order issued by the Chief of the Pamir Military Border
Region to the qāḍī of Shāhdara in 1919

V-7

Barvoz 21---

No entry

Barvoz 22

Order issued by the Head of the Civil Section to QāḍīRustam in 1920

V-11

Barvoz 23

Order issued by Vice-Head of the Civil Section Mīrzā
Sulaymān to Qāḍī Rustam in 1920

V-10

Barvoz 24

Order issued by Ground force captain Zaimkin to QāḍīRustam in 1920

V-9

10

INTRODUCTION

Barvoz 25

Order issued by ḥākim Petr Zaimkin to Qāḍī Sayyid
Rustam in 1921

V-13

Barvoz 26

Order issued by ḥākim Petr Zaimkin to Qāḍī Mullā
Rustam in 1921

V-12

Barvoz 27

Letter to an uncle on the paternal side and his brothers

VII-11

Barvoz 28

Order issued by the head of the Civil Section Zaimkin to
Rustam Shāh in 1919

V-6

Barvoz 29

Deed issued in 1924

VI-44

Barvoz 30

Deed

VI-46

Barvoz 31

Letter to Āq Qāḍī Muẓaffar

VII-8

Barvoz 32

Genealogy of Mu‘allim Ṣādiq

III-3

Barvoz 33

Letter from Mīrza Muḥammad Zamān sent to Īshān
Qāḍī Hamdam Shāh

VII-10Barvoz 34

Letter from Mullā Shīr Muḥammad, Mullā ‘Alī and theirsisters sent to Mullā Sayyidī

VII-13

Barvoz 35

Deed issued in 1924

VI-45

Barvoz 36

Letter from ‘Azīz khān Mīrākhūr sent to Īshān QāḍīVII-12

Barvoz 37

Deed issued in 1912-13

VI-17

Barvoz 38

Letter to Mīr Sulṭān ShāhVII-9

Barvoz 39---

No entry

Barvoz 40

Deed issued in 1916

VI-24

Collection “Kharugh”
Kharugh city, Shughnan district
9th August 2011
Document
NumberKharugh 1 Deed issued in 1907

Contents

Introduction
Entry Number
VI-8

Kharugh 2

Order issued to Qāḍī Ijāzat Shāh in 1894

V-1

Kharugh 3

Deed

VI-50

Kharugh 4

Decree of Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
issued to Ḥaqq Naẓar, Dawlat, Kirmān Shāh, GharībMuḥammad, Shāh-qulī, and all members of the anjumanof Khārugh-i pāyān in 1924

I-A-11

11

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

Kharugh 5

Receipt of zakāt issued by Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh /Āghā Khān III to the jamā‘at of Khwārugh-i pāyān in
1924

I-B-29Kharugh 6---

No entry

Kharugh 7

Receipt of zakāt issued by Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh /Āghā Khān III to Kirmān Shāh, Ḥaqq Naẓar, Dawlat,
Shāh-qulī, Gharīb Muḥammad, and all members of the
anjuman of Khwārugh-i pāyān in 1925

I-B-30Kharugh 8

Receipt of zakāt issued by Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh /Āghā Khān III to Kirmān Shāh, Hak Naẓar, Dawlat,
Shāhqulī, Gharīb Muḥammad, and all members of the
anjuman of Khwārugh-i pāyān in 1925

I-B-31

Kharugh 9

Genealogy of Sayyid Sharīf

III-1

Collection “KhidorjevA”
Khidorjev village, Rashtqala district
18th August 2011
Document
NumberKhidorjevA 1 Deed issued in 1916

Contents

Introduction
Entry Number
VI-22

Collection “KhidorjevB”
Khidorjev village, Rashtqala district
18th August 2011
Document
Introduction
Contents
Number
Entry Number
KhidorjevB 1 Decree of Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān I-A-14
III issued to Mukhī Khwāja Badal of the jamā‘at of
Shākhdara and all members of the anjuman of that
region in 1924
KhidorjevB 2 Decree of Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
issued to Mullā Lāghar bāy, Qiyā bīk, Fāḍil bīk, and all
members of the anjuman of Rin in 1924

I-A-12KhidorjevB 3 Decree of Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
issued to Mūkī Sayyid Shāh Khwāja Badal in 1924

I-A-1612

INTRODUCTION

KhidorjevB 4 Decree of Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
issued to Mukī Khwāja Badal in 1926

I-A-17

KhidorjevB 5 Receipt of zakāt issued by Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh /Āghā Khān III to ‘Abd al-Raḥīm, Maḥram bīk, Khāldār,Waṭanī, and all those obedient in the village of Rijist in
1926

I-B-32KhidorjevB 6 Receipt of zakāt issued by Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh /Āghā Khān III to Ātash bīk and others in 1928

I-B-33

KhidorjevB 7 Receipt of zakāt issued by Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh /Āghā Khān III to Mukī Khwāja Badal and all residentsof the Ghund Valley in 1930

I-B-34

Collection “Langar”
Langar village, Ishkashim district
11th September 2009
Document
NumberLangar 1---

Contents

Introduction
Entry Number
No entry

Langar 2

Deed issued in 1910

VI-11

Langar 3

Deed issued in 1911

VI-12

Langar 4

Deed issued in 1917

VI-28

Langar 5

Deed issued in 1919

VI-34

Langar 6

Deed issued in 1917

VI-27

Langar 7

Deed issued in 1918

VI-33

Langar 8

Deed issued in 1919

VI-37

Langar 9

Deed issued in 1919

VI-39

Langar 10

Deed issued in 1919

VI-38

Langar 11

Deed

VI-51

Langar 12---

No entry

Langar 13

Deed issued in 1919

VI-35

Langar 14

Deed issued in 1921

VI-42

Langar 15

Deed issued in 1921

VI-41

Langar 16

Deed

VI-52

Langar 17

Order issued by the commander of the Langar outpost to
Aqsaqāl Mu’min Shāh and Ṣafar Muḥammad in 1917

V-4

13

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

Langar 18

Appointment letter issued by the commander of theLangar outpost to Mu’min Shāh in 1916

V-3

Langar 19---

No entry

Langar 20

Deed

VI-47

Langar 21---

No entry

Langar 22

Deed issued in 1922

VI-43

Langar 23

Order on livestock issued in 1919

V-8

Langar 24

Order issued by the commander of the Langar outpost to
Mu’min Shāh in 1918

V-5

Collection “Porshinev”
Kharugh city, Shughnan regin (from Porshinev village, Shughnan district in origin)
16th September 2009
Document
Introduction
Contents
Number
Entry Number
Porshinev 1 Decree of Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III I-A-13
issued to Mukhī Sayyid Yūsuf ‘Alī Shāh, Dād ‘Alī,
Dawlat-qadam, Shākhdara, and all members of the
anjuman of Pārshinīw-i pāyān in 1924
Porshinev 2 Record of the words of Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / ĀghāKhān III written in 1913

I-C-2

Porshinev 3 Booklet published during World War II

IV-5

Porshinev 4 Memorandum on sayyids

IV-1

Porshinev 5 ---No entry

Porshinev 6 Decree of Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
issued to the jamā‘ats of Shughnān, Darwāz, andGhārān in 1936

I-A-18Porshinev 7 Order of Mukhī Sayyid Yūsuf ‘Alī Shāh issued to alljamā‘at of Vīr in the Ghund Valley in 1917

II-A-3Porshinev 8 Fatwā on Muḥammad Ḥakīm’s complaint againstMuḥammad Akbar Shāh Īshīkāqābāshī

IV-4

Porshinev 9 Deed issued in 1896

VI-5

Porshinev 10 Table on zakāt collected among the residents of thevillage of Barwāz

II-B-1

Porshinev 11 Letter from Sayyid Nīr al-Dīn, from Hindūstān, sent toKhwāja Mu’min in 1922

VII-7

14

INTRODUCTION

Porshinev 12 Table on zakāt collected among the residents of
Shākhdara-i bālā, who followed Mukī Sayyid Shāh ‘Abd
al-Ma‘ānī

II-B-2Porshinev 13 Prayer (du‘ā)

IV-3

Porshinev 14 Letter from Sayyid Ḥusayn sent to Aqsaqāl MurādḤusayn in 1910-11

VII-2

Porshinev 15 Order of Mukhī Sayyid Shāh Ṣafdar issued to Khalīfa
Langarī in 1910-11

II-A-1

Porshinev 16 Deed

VI-49

Porshinev 17 Prayer (du‘ā)

IV-2

Porshinev 18 Request of Sayyid Maḥmūd Shāh written to ShāhManṣūr, Dawlat, and Dīwāna in 1912

II-A-2Porshinev 19 Order of Mukhī Muḥammad ‘Alī Shāh issued to thejamā‘at of Ghund from Tang to Vibist in 1935

II-A-4

Collection “Rivak”
Rivak or Dogz village, Shugnan district
12th August 2011
Document
Introduction
Contents
Number
Entry Number
Rivak 1
Decree of Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III I-A-15
issued to Raḥmān-qul, Munāsib Shāh, Mīrzā Shāh, ‘Asal
Shāh, Musallam Shāh, Shāh Fuṭūr, Sayyid Shāh, and all
members of the anjuman of Sūchān in 1924
Collection “Suchon”
Suchon village, Shughnan district
17th August 2011
Document
Introduction
Contents
Number
Entry Number
Suchon 1
Receipt of zakāt issued by Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / I-B-23
Āghā Khān III to the jamā‘ats of Shuqnān, Darwāz,
Yārkand, Rūshān, Mukhī Sayyid Mursal, and others in
1904

15

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

Suchon 2

Receipt of zakāt issued by Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh /Āghā Khān III to the jamā‘at of Shuqnān, Badakhshān,
Darwāz, Yārkand, Chitrār, Mukhī Sayyid Mursal, andothers in 1902

I-B-22

Suchon 3

Letter from Nawrūz Shāh sent to Shāh Sāḥib

VII-14

Suchon 4

Decree of Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān I issued to thejamā‘ats of Shughnān, Rūshān, Chitrār and Bartang in
1864

I-A-4

Suchon 5

Deed issued in 1893

VI-3

Suchon 6

Decree of Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān I issued to thejamā‘at of Rūshān in 1864

I-A-5

Suchon 7

Receipt of zakāt issued by Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān
I to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān and Mūkhī Mīrzā Ashrafin 1871

I-B-9

Suchon 8

Appointment letter issued by Sayyid Amīr ‘Abd al-Aḥad
from Bukhara to Sayyid Mīrzā Ashraf Shughnānī in
1897

V-2

Suchon 9

Receipt of zakāt issued by Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh /Āghā Khān III to the jamā‘at of Rūshān, Shughnān,
Khūf, Bartang, Yārkand, Chitrār, Zībāk, Darwāz,
Ishkāshīm, Wakhān and Darāyūm, and Mu‘allim Sayyid
Mursal in 1901

I-B-21

Suchon 10

Deed issued in 1905

VI-7

Suchon 11

Receipt of zakāt issued by Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh /Āghā Khān III to the jamā‘ats of Shuqnān, Rūshān,
Bartang, Chitrār, Darwāz, Mu‘allim Sayyid Mursal, andothers in 1908

I-B-25

Suchon 12

Decree of Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
issued to Mūkhī Sayyid Mursal in 1913

I-A-8

Suchon 13

Letter from Sayyid Yūsuf ‘Alī Shāh sent to MīrMuḥammad Raḥīm khān in 1915

VII-3

Suchon 14

Receipt of zakāt issued by Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh /Āghā Khān III to Mukī Sayyid Mursal and the jamā‘atsof Qund, Suchān, Shākhdara, Shughnān, Khūf, Bajū,
Rūshān, Bartang, Tanshīb, Darwāz, Chitrār, Zībāk,Wakhān, and Qārān in 1917

I-B-26

Suchon 15

Deed issued in 1752

VI-2

Suchon 16

Deed issued in 1898

VI-6

16

INTRODUCTION

Suchon 17

Letter from the residents of the Mountainous
Badakhshān sent to Shāh Sāḥib

VII-15

Suchon 18---

No entry

Suchon 19---

No entry

Collection “Tavdem”
Tavdem village, Rashtqala district
18th August 2011
Document
NumberTavdem 1 Deed issued in 1916

Contents

Introduction
Entry Number
VI-25

Collection “ZongA”
Kharugh city, Shughnan regin (from Zong village, Ishkashim district in origin)
15th September 2009
Document
Introduction
Contents
Number
Entry Number
ZongA 1
Decree of Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān I issued to Ḥājjī I-A-1
Muḥammad in 1850
ZongA 2

Receipt of zakāt issued by Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / ĀghāKhān I to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān and Sayyid Ḥājjī
Muḥammad in 1849

I-B-1

ZongA 3

Receipt of zakāt issued by Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān
I to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān and Ḥājjī Muḥammad in
1856

I-B-2

ZongA 4

Receipt of zakāt issued by Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān
I to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān and Karam ‘Alī Shāh in
1860

I-B-3

ZongA 5

Receipt of zakāt issued by Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān
I to Karam ‘Alī Shāh and the jamā‘at of Badakhshān in
1864

I-B-4

ZongA 6

Receipt of zakāt issued by Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān
I to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān and Mūkhī Karam ‘Alī
Shāh in 1870

I-B-7

17

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

ZongA 7

Receipt of zakāt issued by Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / ĀghāKhān I to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān and Mūkhī Sayyid
Karam ‘Alī Shāh in 1871

I-B-8

ZongA 8

Receipt of zakāt issued by Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān
I to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān and Mūkhī Karam ‘Alī
Shāh in 1872

I-B-13

ZongA 9Receipt of zakāt issued by Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān
I to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān and Mūkhī Karam ‘Alī
Shāh in 1872

I-B-12

ZongA 10

Receipt of zakāt issued by Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān
I issued to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān and Karam ‘Alī
Shāh in 1876

I-B-16

ZongA 11

Receipt of zakāt issued by Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh /Āghā Khān III to La‘l bīk khān in 1893

I-B-19

ZongA 12

Receipt of zakāt issued by Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh /Āghā Khān III to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān and La‘lbīk khān, and others in 1894

I-B-20ZongA 13

Receipt of zakāt from Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / ĀghāKhān III issued to the jamā‘ats of Wakhān, Zībāk,Sariqūl, Yārkand, Chitrār, Mu‘allim Sayyid Karam ‘Alī
Shāh, and others in 1908

I-B-24

ZongA 14

Decree of Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
issued to the jamā‘ats of Wakhān, Zībāk, Yārkand,Sariqūl, Chitrār and Mu‘allim Sayyid Karam ‘Alī Shāhin 1908

I-A-6

ZongA 15

Decree of Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān
III issued to Mukī Sayyid Karam ‘Alī Shāh and thejamā‘ats of Wakhān, Zībāk, Warshkūm, Sariqūl andYārkand in 1912-13

I-A-7

ZongA 16

Receipt of zakāt issued by Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh /Āghā Khān III to the jamā‘ats of Wakhān, Ishkāshīm,
Zībāk, Yārkand, Sariqūl, Tung, and Chitrāl in 1917

I-B-27

ZongA 17

Decree of Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
issued to Mukī Karam ‘Alī Shāh and the jamā‘ats ofWakhān, Zībāk, Warshkūm, Sariqūl, and Yārkand in
1916-17

I-A-9

18

INTRODUCTION

ZongA 18

Receipt of zakāt issued by Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh /Āghā Khān III to Mukī Shāh Sayyid Langar, Kāmryā
Shams al-Dīn, and the jamā‘ats of Wakhān, Zībāk,Warshkūm, Sariqūl, and Yārkand in 1922-23

I-B-28

ZongA 19

Decree of Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
issued to Muḥammad Naẓar, Amān bīk, Zayd Allāh,‘Āqil bīk, and all members of the anjuman of Zūng in
1924

I-A-10ZongA 20

Letter from Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān I to Fatḥ ‘Alī
Shāh written sometime between 1830 and 1834

I-C-1

ZongA 21

Deed issued in 1747

VI-1

ZongA 22

Decree of Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān I issued to thejamā‘at of Badakhshān in 1860

I-A-3

ZongA 23

Deed issued in 1895

VI-4

ZongA 24

Deed issued in 1913

VI-16

ZongA 25

Mourning for the death by Mukhī Shāh Abū al-Ma‘ānī

II-C-1ZongA 26

Mukhī’s order issued to Shāh Langar and Fāḍil bīk

II-A-5

ZongA 27---

No entry

ZongA 28

Sample letter (inshā’)VII-16

ZongA 29

Letter writing practiceVII-17

ZongA 30

Letter from the residents of Ritk and Wardj villages sentto Ṣāḥib in 1917

VII-4

ZongA 31

Certificate issued in 1915

VI-21

Collection “ZongB”
Zong village, Ishkashim district
11th September 2009
Document
NumberZongB 1
Deed issued in 1913
ZongB 2

Deed

Contents

Introduction
Entry Number
VI-15
VI-48

19

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

Documents from Private Archives
in Right-Bank Badakhshan

I. Documents related to Āghā Khāns
A. Decrees
1. Decree of Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān I
Language: Persian.
Date: 1st Dhū al-ḥijja 1266 (8th October 1850).
This decree addressed to Ḥājjī Muḥammad mentions that Mullā Shanba had appealed
to the court in the name of the local people and Yāqūt Shāh. The decree was issued
and sent through Mullā Shanba to the people of that region. The decree orders that thefaithful “should not turn away from the family of Imamate (wilāyat). Treat each otherwith love and sincerity in order to be saved in your earthly and after-death lives.”
Seal: [...] Fāṭima-i khādima sardāba-i sabṭ-i rasūl, 1261.
Defects: The upper part of the document is torn along the fold and at the beginning of
the second line of the text. The text itself has not been seriously affected.
Size / Document number: 29.7 x 19.5 cm / ZongA 1

2. Decree of Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān I
Language: Persian.
Date: 26th Ṣafar 1273 (26th October 1856).
This decree is addressed to the jamā‘at of Rūshān. The decree informs with great
regret about the death of Shāh Gadā and states that the faithful “must be patient andfollow Imām Ḥusayn.” The decree also reads: “After Shāh Gadā’s death his eldest son
Mīrzā Band ‘Alī was appointed his successor. The newly elected mukhī must exercise
diligence in collecting zakāt and the members of the comunity must treat each otherwith solidarity.”20

I. DOCUMENTS RELATED TO ĀGHĀ KHĀNS

Seals: <Side a> Har Ḥusaynī nasabī ṣāḥib-i khalq-i Ḥasan ast, 1227(?). <Side b>
Afawwaḍu amrī ilā allāhi inna allāha baṣīrun bi-l-‘ibādi, Allāh laṭīf bi-‘ibādihi yarzuqu
min yashā’; Muḥammad. Below both seals, there is writing in Gujarati script.
Size / Document number: 38.6 x 25.2 cm / Barrushan 1

3. Decree of Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān I
Language: Persian.
Date: 21st Rabī‘ al-awwal 1277 (7th October 1860).
This decree is addressed to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān. It is clear from the content that
this document is dedicated to the “the eternal (wajīb al-wujūd)”, i.e. the knowledgeof the Imām. It states: “All people and spirits are created with a sole purpose: forworship and divine service. Divine service means achieving knowledge and obeyingorders and prohibitions. According to the words of my eminent great-grandfatherAḥmad Mukhtār, Moslems are divided into 73 sects, of which only one sect will besaved. Think by yourselves, what you have done since the past till the present, andwhat you will do and what you will see. Though God is Concealer (Sattār), Forgiver(Ghaffār), Clement (Ḥalīm), and Generous (Karīm), He is also Dominant (Qahhār) and
All-Compelling (Jabbār). Therefore, it is important to fear God’s wrath. The gravest
mistake is attachment to earthly wealth, for everyone knows that this [earthly world
has never kept its loyalty to anyone and no one has ever taken one’s property with himfrom this [earthly] world. Moreover, discord, which is considered the biggest sin, is theappearance of hypocrites but not the way of the faithful. It [discord] is the destroyerof the religion, earthly and after-death life. Selfishness and selfdecision that comesfrom voluptuousness is considered to be a quality pertaining to a beast and carries
resemblance to Satan. Conflict with close people and brothers leads to weakening of
the very foundations of the religion.”
Seal: This document bears no official seal. Nevertheless, in the beginning of the
document, on the left side, the name of Āghā Khān I is mentioned: “‘Alī az nasl-iḤasan wa Ḥusayn-ast (‘Alī is from the family of Ḥasan and Ḥusayn).” This document
seems to be a copy of the document issued on the same day as the document ZongA 4(see: I-B-3).
Defects: The document has three holes along the fold where it is worn through.
However, the text has not been seriously affected.
21

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

Size / Document number: 28.0 x 30.0 cm / ZongA 22

4. Decree of Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān I
Language: Persian.
Date: Jumādā al-awwal 1281 (October-November 1864).
This decree is addressed to the jamā‘ats of Shughnān, Rūshān, Chitrār and Bartang,which were followers (murīds) of mukhī Khwāja Ghulām Shāh. The decree states thatKhwāja Ghulām Shāh had asked Āghā Khān to appoint his son Mīrzā Ashraf as the
mukhī, in his place. The decree confirms that, with the consent of Khwāja Ghulām
Shāh, his son, Mīrzā Ashraf, was appointed mukhī and exhots the new mukhī todiligently serve his jamā‘at.
Seals: <Side a> Har Ḥusaynī nasabī ṣāḥib-i khalq-i Ḥasan ast, 1227(?). <Side b>
Afawwaḍu amrī ilā allāhi inna allāha baṣīrun bi-l-‘ibādi, Allāh laṭīf bi-‘ibādihi yarzuqu
min yashā’, 1246; Muḥammad.
Size / Document number: 33.9 x 21.0 cm / Suchon 4

5. Decree of Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān I
Language: Persian.
Date: 9th Jumādā al-thānī 1281 (9th November 1864).
This decree is addressed to the jamā‘at of Rūshān. It states that Mīrzā Ashraf wasappointed mukhī for the jamā‘at of Rūshān. The Imām urges the followers (murīds) tofollow the words of Mukhī Mīrzā Ashraf. Futhermore, the Imām also requests that they
always collect zakāt in time and send it to the court with Mīrzā Ashraf. According to
the rules, the amount of zakāt had to be one-fifth or one-tenth of the income.
Seals: ‘Alī az nasl-i Ḥasan wa Ḥusayn-ast, 1251; ‘Alī al-Ḥusaynī, 1247(?). Below both
seals, there is writing in Gujarati script.
Size / Document number: 26.9 x 20.8 cm / Suchon 622

I. DOCUMENTS RELATED TO ĀGHĀ KHĀNS

6. Decree of Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
Language: Persian.
Date: 9th Dhū al-ḥijja 1325 (13th January 1908).
This decree is addressed to the jamā‘ats of Wakhān, Zībāk, Yārkand, Sariqūl, Chitrārand Mu‘allim Sayyid Karam ‘Alī Shāh. The decree is dedicated to piety and obedience.
It reads: “As now is the time of the end of the world (ākhir al-zamān), Satan appears
as a deceiver of the religion and faith. Therefore you should recognize the sacredperson of God, who always observes us. And you must treat each other with love andsolidarity. Abandon bad habits. Pray to the Imām so that day after day God blesses yourproperty and faith.”
Seals: <Side a> Sulṭān Muḥammad al-Ḥusaynī, 13[...]. <Side b> Muḥammad alḤusaynī, 1299; Muḥammad(?).
Size / Document number: 48.0 x 34.7 cm / ZongA 14

7. Decree of Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
Language: Persian.
Date: Muḥarram 1331 (December 1912 - January 1913).
This decree is addressed to Mukī Sayyid Karam ‘Alī Shāh and the jamā‘ats of Wakhān,
Zībāk, Warshkūm, Sariqūl and Yārkand. In the decree, the Imām exhorts his followers:“For the faith in this true family you must follow your ancestors. You must treat eachother with love, sincerity, and as a brother with a brother. Rid yourselves of greed andhatred. Respect your teachers (mu‘allims). Always collect zakāt (‘ushr) in time in theamount of one-tenth of your income and send it to the Imām’s court.”
Seals: <Side a> Sulṭān Muḥammad al-Ḥusaynī, 13[...]. <Side b> Muḥammad alḤusaynī, 1299(?); Muḥammad(?).
Size / Document number: 57.0 x 31.7 cm / ZongA 15

23

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

8. Decree of Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
Language: Persian.
Date: Rabī‘ al-thānī 1331 (March-April 1913).
This decree was sent to Mūkhī Sayyid Mursal. It is clear from the content of the decreethat a lot of followers of Mūkhī Sayyid Mursal had compiled and sent a petition against
him to the Āghā Khān’s court. They complained that those who did not obey him wereprosecuted in the state court and oppressed by him, which “depleted the jamā‘at ofblood. No mukhī should do so, because the mukhī must ensure solidarity in the jamā‘at,but not divide it. For the jamā‘at, the mukhī is like a father or a shepherd protecting his
herd. Through this decree, I command the followers to abandon avarice and animosity
and treat each other with love. Do not violate the bounds. I command the faithful who
receives this decree to gather those people who were deprived of their houses andreturn them their dwellings; beg their forgiveness, console their hearts, and follow the
Imām’s decrees.”
Seal: Muḥammad al-Ḥusaynī, 1299(?).
Size / Document number: 45.0 x 26.7 cm / Suchon 12

9. Decree of Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
Language: Persian.
Date: Rabī‘ al-awwal 1335 (December 1916 - January 1917).
This decree is addressed to Mukī Karam ‘Alī Shāh and the jamā‘ats of Wakhān, Zībāk,Warshkūm, Sariqūl, and Yārkand. The decree urges jamā‘ats of those regions: “Youmust always worship God, always remember God, and choose the right way. Follow
the steps of your great grandfathers and keep the customs of your ancestors. Do not let
yourselves fall into the hands of Satan. Protect the Imām and the religion from enemies.
Do not reveal your secrets to aliens. Teach your children the lesson of religion. Rid
yourselves of avarice and hatred. Treat each other with peace and love. Always pay
zakāt (‘ushr) in time, so that God bestows His blessing on you.”
Seals: <Side a> Sulṭān Muḥammad al-Ḥusaynī, 13[...]. <Side b> Muḥammad alḤusaynī, 1299; Muḥammad(?).
Size / Document number: 49.7 x 29.7 cm / ZongA 17
24

I. DOCUMENTS RELATED TO ĀGHĀ KHĀNS

10. Decree of Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
Language: Persian.
Date: Jumādā al-ākhira 1342 (January-February 1924).
This decree issued under number 110 is addressed to Muḥammad Naẓar, the son ofMaḥabbat khān, Amān bīk, the son of Ḥātam bīk, Zayd Allāh, the son of Sakhī Shams
al-Dīn, the son of Sayyid Mīr Muḥammad, ‘Āqil bīk, the son of Ulfat Shāh, and all
members of the community (anjuman) of Zūng. The decree reads as follows: “Mashnarī
Sabz ‘Alī returned from his trip to Badakhshān and had an audience with Āghā Khān
III. Mashnarī Sabz ‘Alī reported to the Imām’s court on the implementation of thedecree, zakāt, and laws promulgated in accordance with the Imām’s decree. Devotion
and obedience of the jamā‘at filled the Imām with joy and peace. [...] As now is thetime of the end of the world, Satan appears as the deceiver of the religion; therefore,
you have to strengthen your belief in the Imām. Spend your precious time in prayer
and benevolent deeds. Treat the fellow faithful with amity and love. Follow the newlaw that was disseminated by Mashnarī Sabz ‘Alī among the jamā‘at according to thedecree.”Seals: <Side a> Sulṭān Muḥammad al-Ḥusaynī, 13[...]. <Side b> Muḥammad alḤusaynī, 1299; Muḥammad(?).
Size / Document number: 42.0 x 26.7 cm / ZongA 19

11. Decree of Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
Language: Persian.
Date: Jumādā al-ākhira 1342 (January-February 1924).
This decree issued under number 126 is addressed to Ḥaqq Naẓar, the son ofMuḥammad Naẓar, Dawlat, the son of Dūshanba bāy, Kirmān Shāh, the son of ‘Ishrat
Shāh, Gharīb Muḥammad, the son of Mubārak-qadam, Shāh-qulī, the son of Shīrīn bīk,
and all members of the community (anjuman) of Khārugh-i pāyān. The content of thisdecree is identical to that of the document ZongA 19 (See: I-A-10).
Seal: Sulṭān Muḥammad al-Ḥusaynī, 13[...].
Size / Document number: 43.0 x 26.4 cm / Kharugh 4

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DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

12. Decree of Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
Language: Persian.
Date: Rajab 1342 (February-March 1924).
This decree issued under number 118 is addressed to Mullā Lāghar bāy, the son of‘Āshūr Muḥammad, Qiyā bīk, the son of Qadam Shāh, Fāḍil bīk, the son of Badal
bīk, and all members of the community (anjuman) of Rin. The content of this decree
resembles that of the document ZongA 19 (See: I-A-10).
Seals: <Side a> Sulṭān Muḥammad al-Ḥusaynī, 13[...]. <Side b> Muḥammad alḤusaynī, 1299; Muḥammad(?).
Size / Document number: 42.3 x 28.1 cm / KhidorjevB 2

13. Decree of Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
Language: Persian.
Date: Rajab 1342 (February-March 1924).
This decree issued under number 129 is addressed to Mukhī Sayyid Yūsuf ‘Alī
Shāh, Dād ‘Alī, the son of Muḥammad Ḥusayn, Dawlat-qadam, the son of Mubārakqadam, Shākhdara, the son of Dārāb, and all members of the community (anjuman)of Pārshinīw-i pāyān. The content of this decree is identical to that of the document
ZongA 19 (See: I-A-10).
Seals: <Side a> Sulṭān Muḥammad al-Ḥusaynī, 13[...]. <Side b> Muḥammad alḤusaynī, 1299(?); Muḥammad(?).
Defects: Due to the influence of humidity, the letters and words of the decree appear
superimposed on each other.
Size / Document number: 44.0 x 28.3 cm / Porshinev 1

26

I. DOCUMENTS RELATED TO ĀGHĀ KHĀNS

14. Decree of Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
Language: Persian.
Date: Rajab 1342 (February-March 1924).
This decree issued under number 132 is addressed to Mukhī Khwāja Badal of thejamā‘at of Shākhdara and all members of the community (anjuman) of that region. The
content of this decree is identical to that of the document ZongA 19 (See: I-A-10).
Seals: <Side a> Sulṭān Muḥammad al-Ḥusaynī, 13[...]. <Side b> Muḥammad alḤusaynī, 1299(?); Muḥammad(?).
Defects: Due to the influence of humidity, the letters and words of the decree appear
superimposed on each other.
Size / Document number: 43.3 x 28.9 cm / KhidorjevB 1

15. Decree of Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
Language: Persian.
Date: Rajab 1342 (February-March 1924).
This decree issued under number 138 is addressed to Raḥmān-qul, the son of Ibn-i
Yāmin, Munāsib Shāh, the son of Mubārak Shāh, Mīrzā Shāh, the son of Muḥammad
Ibrāhīm, ‘Asal Shāh, the son of Shāh Rustam, Musallam Shāh, the son of Muqaddam
Shāh, Shāh Fuṭūr, the son of Shakar, Sayyid Shāh, the son of Shāh Qāsim, and all
members of the community (anjuman) of Sūchān. The content of this decree is identicalto that of the document ZongA 19 (See: I-A-10).
Seals: <Side a> Sulṭān Muḥammad al-Ḥusaynī, 13[...]. <Side b> Muḥammad alḤusaynī, 1299(?); Muḥammad(?).
Defects: The top part of the document in the center and on the right as well as thebottom part on the right are torn off. The beginning of the last line is missing.
Size / Document number: 43.3 x 29.0 cm / Rivak 1

27

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

16. Decree of Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
Language: Persian.
Date: Sha‘bān 1342 (March-April 1924).
This decree issued under number 263 is addressed to Mūkī Sayyid Shāh Khwāja Badal.
The decree mentions that “at the due time the faithful Mashnarī Sabz ‘Alī returned
from his trip to Badakhshān and had an audience with Āghā Khān III. Mashnarī Sabz
‘Alī reported to the Imām’s court on implementation of the decree, zakāt, and laws
promulgated in accordance with the Imām’s decree. Devotion and obedience of thejamā‘at filled the Imām with joy and peace. As the implementation of all affairs andteaching of jamā‘at [has always] depended on the mukhī, so it should be the same
way now as well. Therefore, by issuing this decree we command the devout andobedient to rid themselves of envy and hypocrisy. Treat the fellow faithful with amity,solidarity, and courtesy. As well as your ancestors, engage yourselves with teaching
the jamā‘at, and show the faithful the correct path. Also make efforts in order that thejamā‘at be engaged in divine service. Consider implementation of all the laws thatwere propagated by Mashnarī Sabz ‘Alī obligatory and recognize them as premises
for development of your spiritual and material life. The instruction is that you act inaccordance with the laws propagated by Mashnarī Sabz ‘Alī. Conduct collecting anddispatching zakāt through the anjumans. Spread the text of ‘Charāgh-nāma’, which
will be sent to you in accordance with the decree. Recitation (the Qur‘ān), which was
the custom of each region, is observed now as well; these are the rites for the deceased.
But during performance of these rites do not exceed your expenses. Those who want toperform ‘Da‘wati baqā’’ may do so. When performing ‘Da‘wati baqā’’ observe piety,cleanliness, and low expenses.”
It reads: “The following zakāt, consisting of: big gold coins 42, 6 kaldār rupees, halfṣūm 1, ring 1, Russian button 1, which was sent through Mashnarī Sabz ‘Alī, hasbeen conveyed to the court’s officials. The Lord blesses your life, property, and yourchildren.”Seals: <Side a> Sulṭān Muḥammad al-Ḥusaynī, 13[...]. <Side b> Muḥammad alḤusaynī, 1299(?); Muḥammad(?).
Size / Document number: 65.4 x 35.1 cm / KhidorjevB 3

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I. DOCUMENTS RELATED TO ĀGHĀ KHĀNS

17. Decree of Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
Language: Persian.
Date: Ramaḍān 1344 (March-April 1926).
This decree issued under number 34 is addressed to Mukī Khwāja Badal. The decree
also addresses all noble men, all mūkī and all residents of Badakhshān. It reads: “Wehope that all the jamā‘at will be sincere toward the people of the house of the ProphetMuḥammad (aḥl-i bayt) and [you] will be in solid unity and unanimous accord witheach other. Rid yourselves of selfishness and envy. Live in unanimous consent andsolidarity. Mūkī should lead the jamā‘at in accordance with the tradition and teachthem [members of the jamā‘at] true religion, so that they do not contradict the pathchosen by their ancestors. They should recognize the service to the Imām (Sarkār)
as obligatory. At these auspicious times, the Imām held audiences with the sincere
and faithful Shahzāda Muḥammad Ghazānkhān and some other faithful followers(murīds). They informed the Imām about the conflicts that rose after promulgation of
the new law. As at all times the teaching in the jamā‘at and service of collecting of
zakāt depended on mūkī s, and these duties are entrusted to them now as well. Eachmūkī should teach his followers and visit them at least once a year. Do not forget tosincerely implement all orders sent to the jamā‘at. If mūkīs are not satisfied with theirremunerations, they should turn to the Imām and report this situation to him. They
should distinguish between the permitted and the forbidden and should not lay theirhands on what is the property of the Imām. Mūkīs should cooperate in collecting zakātfrom the followers in the territories of Chīn, Rūsīya, and Afghānistān and dispatch itto the Imām’s court. You must compile a calculation [statement] of this zakāt, and the
mūkī must put his sign on it and send it to the wazīr; [he must also] receive the money
in cash from these three countries and Kanjūt and deliver it into the hands of ShāhzādaMuḥammad Ghazānkhān. He [in his turn] should bring it to the Imām’s court. Once a
year, he must send you a notice of receipt of the zakāt. From other territories of Gilgit,
with the exception of Hunza, collect zakāt at your discretion. If a mūkī cannot perform
collection of zakāt, his followers may solve this matter by themselves. This work
must not be stopped. The previously collected zakāt, which was sent with Mashnarī
Sabz ‘Alī has already been delivered to the court. If the jamā‘at of Afghānistān has anopportunity to send the zakāt by other routes, they must not send it through Kanjūt. Ifthey cannot send it by other routes, [they should] send it through Hunza. The mūkīs
should assist in this affair.”
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DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

Seals: <Side a> Sulṭān Muḥammad al-Ḥusaynī, 13[...]. <Side b> Muḥammad alḤusaynī, 1299; Muḥammad(?).
Size / Document number: 41.5 x 29.1 cm / KhidorjevB 4

18. Decree of Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
Language: Persian.
Date: Muḥarram 1355 (March-April 1936).
This decree is addressed to the jamā‘ats of Shughnān, Darwāz, and Ghārān. The
document reads: “We hope that the followers endeavour to perform divine service
and implement the traditions. Follow the laudable quality. Rid yourselves of improper
deeds, such as [those arising from] envy, discord, and selfishness. Enlighten yourhearts with the light of the Imamate (wilāyat), which constitutes the correct path.
We inform you that the statement and the list, which were sent through Khalīfa ShāhAbū al-Ma‘ānī, have been delivered to the Imām’s court. Of course, many faithfulfollowers mentioned that Mukī Yūsuf ‘Alī Shāh had passed away. Also, after the deathof Mukī Yūsuf ‘Alī Shāh two members of the jamā‘at turned to the Imām’s court witha statement and the collected zakāt.” They brought to the Imām’s notice that after thedeath of Mukī Yūsuf ‘Alī Shāh his son was appointed to his post, and requested thatthe following two points should be mentioned in the decree. 1) Until Muḥammad ‘Alī
Shāh comes of age, the duties of teaching the jamā‘at should be entrusted to ShāhzādaMuḥammad, who is a noble and a dervish. 2) Collection of zakāt should be performed
with the help of Kāmryā and consulate officials and delivered to the court. At therequest of the jamā‘at, Shāhzāda Muḥammad was appointed mukī and he was entrustedwith the duty to dispatch zakāt. It reads: “Some time has passed but no news came fromthem. However, later we received the statement and the collected zakāt from thosefaithful. In the statement, they requested that Iqbāl ‘Alī Shāh be also appointed mukī.
The court has also received a statement from the Mukī Muḥammad ‘Alī Shāh and 2000
kābulī and afghānī rupees through the mukhī of Kābul, Sayyid Nādir Shāh. You must
keep solidarity; at your request we appoint Iqbāl ‘Alī Shāh to the position of mukī. The
zakāt of these faithful, consisting of one big yāmbū, one big gold (?), 74.5 ṣūms (?), 59
kābulī rupees, has been conveyed into the hands of the court’s trustees.”
Seals: <Side a> Sulṭān Muḥammad al-Ḥusaynī, 13[...]. <Side b> Muḥammad alḤusaynī, 1299(?); Muḥammad(?).
30

I. DOCUMENTS RELATED TO ĀGHĀ KHĀNS

Defects: The document is gnawed by mice in 5 places. Also, some parts of the
document are smeared with ink.
Size / Document number: 41.0 x 28.8 cm / Porshinev 6

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DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

B. Receipts
1. Receipt of zakāt from Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān I
Language: Persian.
Date: 17th Muḥarram 1266 (3rd December 1849).
This receipt is addressed to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān and Sayyid Ḥājjī Muḥammad.
The document certifies that “the zakāt (asbāb) sent through Muḥammad Niyāz has
been conveyed to the court’s officials. May the Lord multiply their offering 100 times
in the earthly life and 1000 times in the after-death life.”
Seals: <Side a> Har Ḥusaynī nasabī ṣāḥib-i khalq-i Ḥasan ast, 1227. <Side b>
Afawwaḍu amrī ilā allāhi inna allāha baṣīrun bi-l-‘ibādi, Allāh laṭīf bi-‘ibādihi yarzuqu
min yashā’, 1246; Muḥammad.
Size / Document number: 33.5 x 21.2 cm / ZongA 2

2. Receipt of zakāt from Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān I
Language: Persian.
Date: 19th Ṣafar 1273 (19th October 1856).
This receipt is addressed to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān and Ḥājjī Muḥammad. The
document reads that “the zakāt sent in the name of those faithful has been delivered tothe court. May the Lord multiply their offering 100 times in the earthly life and 1000
times in the after-death life. Treat your fellow believers with solidarity and amity.”
Seals: <Side a> Har Ḥusaynī nasabī ṣāḥib-i khalq-i Ḥasan ast, 1227. <Side b>
Afawwaḍu amrī ilā allāhi inna allāha baṣīrun bi-l-‘ibādi, Allāh laṭīf bi-‘ibādihi yarzuqu
min yashā’, 1246; Muḥammad. Below both seals, there is writing in Gujarati script.
Size / Document number: 32.3 x 20.7 cm / ZongA 3

3. Receipt of zakāt from Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān I
Language: Persian.
Date: 21st Rabī‘ al-awwal 1277 (7th October 1860).
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I. DOCUMENTS RELATED TO ĀGHĀ KHĀNS

This receipt addressed to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān and Karam ‘Alī Shāh, informs
that 100 rupees of the collected zakāt (niyāz) sent with Fayḍ Allā has been delivered tothe court. It also reads: “Do not make conflict with each other and do not contradict the
Imām’s decrees.”
Seals: <Side a> Har Ḥusaynī nasabī ṣāḥib-i khalq-i Ḥasan ast, 1227. <Side b>
Afawwaḍu amrī ilā allāhi inna allāha baṣīrun bi-l-‘ibādi, Allāh laṭīf bi-‘ibādihi yarzuqu
min yashā’, 1246; Muḥammad.
Size / Document number: 32.4 x 20.0 cm / ZongA 4

4. Receipt of zakāt from Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān I
Language: Persian.
Date: 26th Dhū al-qa‘da 1280 (3rd April 1864).
This receipt issued under number 110 is addressed to Karam ‘Alī Shāh and the jamā‘atof Badakhshān. The receipt mentions the name of Shāh Najaf, who was entrusted withcollecting zakāt in this region. In addition, it admonishes: “This jamā‘at has always
diligently served the Imām, in which [this service] you should see your salvation in theearthly and after-death life. Spend some Friday nights in prayer to the Almighty andthe true Imām and pray for each other.” At the end of the receipt, it is also noted that“the zakāt sent with Karam ‘Alī Shāh’s brother, Shāh Najaf, has been delivered to thecourt”.
Seals: <Side a> Har Ḥusaynī nasabī ṣāḥib-i khalq-i Ḥasan ast, 1227. <Side b>
Afawwaḍu amrī ilā allāhi inna allāha baṣīrun bi-l-‘ibādi, Allāh laṭīf bi-‘ibādihi yarzuqu
min yashā’, 1246; Muḥammad.
Size / Document number: 34.0 x 21.2 cm / ZongA 5

5. Receipt of zakāt from Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān I
Language: Persian.
Date: Shawwāl 1283 (February-March 1867).
This receipt is addressed to Mīrzā Band ‘Alī. The document notes that “the zakāt (niyāz)consisting of 20 gold coins sent on behalf of those faithful has been delivered to the33

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

court. May the Lord multiply their offering 100 times in the earthly life and 1000 times
in the after-death life. Treat the jamā‘at with solidarity, amity, and love. Abstain fromalienation and conflicts.”
Seals: <Side a> Har Ḥusaynī nasabī ṣāḥib-i khalq-i Ḥasan ast, 1227 (affixed twice).
<Side b> Afawwaḍu amrī ilā allāhi inna allāha baṣīrun bi-l-‘ibādi, Allāh laṭīf bi-‘ibādihi
yarzuqu min yashā’, 1246; Muḥammad. Below both seals, there is writing in Gujarati
script.
Size / Document number: 35.7 x 21.5 cm / Barrushan 3

6. Receipt of zakāt from Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān I
Language: Persian.
Date: Dhū al-qa‘da 1283 (March-April 1867).
This receipt is addressed to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān and Mīrzā Band ‘Alī. The
receipt states that 40 pieces of gold sent with Fūlād bīk and Fayḍ Allā has beendelivered to the court.
Seal: ‘Alī az nasl-i Ḥasan wa Ḥusayn-ast, 1251.
Size / Document number: 21.1 x 17.0 cm / Barrushan 2

7. Receipt of zakāt from Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān I
Language: Persian.
Date: 1st Shawwāl 1287 (25th December 1870).
This receipt is addressed to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān and Mūkhī Karam ‘Alī Shāh.
The document informs: “This zakāt (māl-i sarkārī), consisting of Bukharan gold — 184
pieces, a gold bar — 7.5 mithqāls, silver yāmbū — 1 piece, silver bars — 95 pieces,‘mole’ rupees — 75, Muḥammad Shāh’s rupees — 163, which was sent with Nūr ‘Alī
Shāh has been successfully delivered to the court. Have solidarity toward each otherand observe unanimous consent and justice. Strive for that in managing the jamā‘at andall affairs. Avoid violence, conflicts, and deviation.”Seals: <Side a> Har Ḥusaynī nasabī ṣāḥib-i khalq-i Ḥasan ast, 1227. <Side b>
Afawwaḍu amrī ilā allāhi inna allāha baṣīrun bi-l-‘ibādi, Allāh laṭīf bi-‘ibādihi yarzuqu
34

I. DOCUMENTS RELATED TO ĀGHĀ KHĀNS

min yashā’, 1246; Muḥammad. Below both seals, there is writing in Gujarati script.
Size / Document number: 43.5 x 30.0 cm / ZongA 6

8. Receipt of zakāt from Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān I
Language: Persian.
Date: 14th Dhū al-qa‘da 1287 (5th February 1871).
This receipt is addressed to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān and Mūkhī Sayyid Karam‘Alī Shāh. The document informs: “the following zakāt (māl-i sarkārī), consisting of
Bukharan gold — 30 pcs, small yāmbū — 2 pcs, which was sent with Nūr ‘Alī Shāh,has been successfully delivered to the court.” The document also urges: “Maintainsolidarity among yourselves and spend time in worship. Only solidarity and worshipmay save you from the evil deeds of Satan.”
Seal: ‘Alī az nasl-i Ḥasan wa Ḥusayn-ast, 1251.
Size / Document number: 42.0 x 26.5 cm / ZongA 7

9. Receipt of zakāt from Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān I
Language: Persian.
Date: 25th Dhū al-qa‘da 1287 (17th February 1871).
This receipt is addressed to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān and Mūkhī Mīrzā Ashraf. The
document reads that “the following zakāt (māl-i sarkārī), consisting of a silver bar —230 ṭūls, 3 pairs of silver earrings, money in cash — 61 rupees, which was sent withRajab bīk, has been successfully delivered to the court. May the Lord bless you.”
Seal: ‘Alī az nasl-i Ḥasan wa Ḥusayn-ast, 1251.
Defects: The text in the document has faded; its content is not clear and partially isdifficult to decipher.
Size / Document number: 33.8 x 20.9 cm / Suchon 7

35

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

10. Receipt of zakāt from Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān I
Language: Persian.
Date: 15th Sha‘bān 1288 (30th October 1871).
This receipt is addressed to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān and Mūkhī Mīrzā Band ‘Alī,and other officials. The document reads: “The zakāt consisting of gold coins — 3
mithqāls, gold bar — 60 tanga rupees, which was sent through Ḥājjī Fūlād bīk, hasbeen successfully delivered to the court. Have solidarity and love among yourselves.
Always remember God and protect the faith from the evil deeds of Satan at [the timeof] the end of the world.”
Seal: lā ilāha illā Allāh al-malik al-ḥaqq al-mubīn, ‘inda ‘Alī, al-Ḥusaynī.
Size / Document number: 39.0 x 23.7 cm / Barrushan 5

11. Receipt of zakāt from Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān I
Language: Persian.
Date: 10th Shawwāl 1288 (23rd December 1871).
This receipt is addressed to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān and Mūkhī Mīrzā Band ‘Alī.
The document states: “The following zakāt consisting of old rupees — 86 pcs, goldcoins — 70 pcs, gold bar — 70 mithqāls, silver small yāmbū — 220 rupees, silver bar(khām-wazn) — 78 rupees, which was sent with Ḥājjī Fūlād bīk, has been successfully
delivered to the court. Because now is the time of the end of the world, protect yourfollowers from Satan’s evil deeds. Have solidarity and love among yourselves.”
Seals: <Side a> Har Ḥusaynī nasabī ṣāḥib-i khalq-i Ḥasan ast, 1227(?). <Side b>
Afawwaḍu amrī ilā allāhi inna allāha baṣīrun bi-l-‘ibādi, Allāh laṭīf bi-‘ibādihi yarzuqu
min yashā’, 1246; Muḥammad.
Size / Document number: 32.5 x 20.4 cm / Barrushan 4

12. Receipt of zakāt from Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān I
Language: Persian.
Date: 10th Ramaḍān 1289 (11th November 1872).
36

I. DOCUMENTS RELATED TO ĀGHĀ KHĀNS

This receipt was sent to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān and Mūkhī Karam ‘Alī Shāh.
The receipt notes that faithful Nūr ‘Alī Shāh had left the court and was heading to his
homeland. When leaving the court, Nūr ‘Alī Shāh asked the Imām to issue a receipt
addressed to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān.
The receipt reads: “Now, at the end of time, Satan, spirits, and people are all moving,
seeking to confuse the religion and faith of the human offspring. Therefore, you muststrengthen your faith in the Imām and religion. Fellow believers should be treatedwith beneficence, brotherhood, amity, unity, and solidarity. Do not quarrel with eachother over the wealth of the earthly world (jīfa-i dunyawī). Spend your time in prayer,
obedience to God, friendship with the Prophet and His family; this will lead to the joyof the Prophet of Islam and confound Satan.”At the end of the receipt, it is mentioned that the following zakāt has been delivered
to the court: 48 gold coins, 117 old rupees, 65 English rupees, 44 rupees silver bar, 4
French riyals. It is also added that the zakāt in the amount of 1 rupee and 8 gold coins
has been conveyed to the court’s officials on behalf of Nūr ‘Alī Shāh.
Seals: <Side a> Har Ḥusaynī nasabī ṣāḥib-i khalq-i Ḥasan ast, 1227(?); ‘Alī az nasl-iḤasan wa Ḥusayn-ast, 1251. <Side b> Afawwaḍu amrī ilā allāhi inna allāha baṣīrun bil-‘ibādi, Allāh laṭīf bi-‘ibādihi yarzuqu min yashā’, 1246; Muḥammad.
Size / Document number: 56.7 x 30.5 cm / ZongA 9

13. Receipt of zakāt from Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān I
Language: Persian.
Date: 20 th Shawwāl 1289 (21st December 1872).
This receipt is addressed to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān and Mūkhī Karam ‘Alī Shāh.
The receipt admonishes, “Because it is the time of the end of the world and Satan’s
hands are strong, people are dependent on voluptuousness (nafs-i amāra). In suchcircumstances, these followers should always remember God and provide their fellow
believers with traditions and unity.” At the end, the receipt mentions that when Nūr ‘Alī
Shāh was going to return to his homeland, he handed the court officials 80 rupees and 1
gold bar and was issued a receipt.
Seal: ‘Alī az nasl-i Ḥasan wa Ḥusayn-ast, 1251.
Size / Document number: 33.0 x 21.0 cm / ZongA 8

37

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

14. Receipt of zakāt from Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān I
Language: Persian.
Date: Shawwāl 1293 (October-November 1876).
This receipt addressed to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān and Mīrzā Band ‘Alī mentions
that the zakāt and statements sent with Bīk Pūlād were delivered to the court. “Godblesses these faithful followers. Surely, the followers must not develop laziness incollecting zakāt. Observe the traditions, unity, and brotherhood among yourselves.”
At the end of the receipt, it provides information on the collected zakāt, namely: goldcoins – 81 pieces, gold – 80 mithqāls, old rupees – 80 pieces, broken silver – 100
rupees, tanga rupees – 300 pieces, [...] – 20 rupees.
Seals: <Side a> Har Ḥusaynī nasabī ṣāḥib-i khalq-i Ḥasan ast, 1227(?); ‘Alī az nasl-iḤasan wa Ḥusayn-ast, 1251. <Side b> Afawwaḍu amrī ilā allāhi inna allāha baṣīrun bil-‘ibādi, Allāh laṭīf bi-‘ibādihi yarzuqu min yashā’, 1246; Muḥammad.
Size / Document number: 33.5 x 21.4 cm / Barrushan 7

15. Receipt of zakāt from Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān I
Language: Persian.
Date: 14th Shawwāl 1293 (2nd November 1876).
This receipt is addressed to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān and Mīrzā Band ‘Alī. The
receipt states: “20 ashrafī coins sent through Mīrzā Muḥammad Qāsim has been
conveyed to the court’s officials. God rewards the followers in their earthly and afterdeath life and protects them from Satan’s evil deeds and from voluptuousness (nafs-iamāra).”
Seals: <Side a> Har Ḥusaynī nasabī ṣāḥib-i khalq-i Ḥasan ast, 1227(?); ‘Alī az nasl-iḤasan wa Ḥusayn-ast, 1251. <Side b> Afawwaḍu amrī ilā allāhi inna allāha baṣīrun bil-‘ibādi, Allāh laṭīf bi-‘ibādihi yarzuqu min yashā’, 1246; Muḥammad.
Size / Document number: 33.5 x 21.2 cm / Barrushan 638

I. DOCUMENTS RELATED TO ĀGHĀ KHĀNS

16. Receipt of zakāt from Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān I
Language: Persian.
Date: Dhū al-qa‘da 1293 (November-December 1876).
This receipt is addressed to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān and Karam ‘Alī Shāh. The
document mentions that when Mullā Band ‘Alī was freed from the duty to attend thecourt, he requested that a document be issued for him. The issued document reads:“Items consisting of 1 small yāmbū, a tail of a cow (?), and a statement, which weresent through Mullā Band ‘Alī, have been conveyed to the court’s officials. The Lord
blesses the devout, their lives, property, and children. Do not develop laziness inreligious affairs and collecting zakāt. Treat fellow believers with love, solidarity, andbrotherhood.”
Seal: ‘Alī az nasl-i Ḥasan wa Ḥusayn-ast, 1251.
Size / Document number: 32.2 x 20.5 cm / ZongA 10

17. Receipt of zakāt from Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān I
Language: Persian.
Date: Non-dated.
This document issued under number 110 is addressed to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān
and Mīrzā Band ‘Alī. The document states that “faithful Bīk Pūlād asked the Imām
permission to return to his homeland and requested a document be issued for thejamā‘at.” The receipt mentions the following items: 25 pieces of gold coins, 36 rupees
of small yāmbū, and 1 yāmbū, all of which were sent through Bīk Pūlād and conveyed
to the court’s officials.
Seal: ‘Alī az nasl-i Ḥasan wa Ḥusayn-ast, 1251.
Size / Document number: 32.4 x 20.5 cm / Barrushan 9

18. Receipt of zakāt from Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān I
Language: Persian.
Date: Non-dated.
39

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

This receipt is addressed to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān and Mīrzā Band ‘Alī. The
document states: “The jamā‘at should be informed that the following zakāt (asbāb)
in the amount of 10 pieces of scrap gold which was sent through faithful MīrzāMuḥammad Qāsim has been transferred to the court’s officials. The Lord blesses thedevout, their lives, property, and children.”
Seal: ‘Alī az nasl-i Ḥasan wa Ḥusayn-ast, 1251.
Size / Document number: 32.4 x 20.4 cm / Barrushan 8

19. Receipt of zakāt from Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
Language: Persian.
Date: Dhū al-qa‘da 1310 (May-June 1893).
This receipt is addressed to La‘l bīk khān. The receipt lists the following zakāt: 70
kāldir (sic.) rupees, 7 pairs of silk socks (jūrāb), and 2 kābulī hats, all of which wassent through Ḥaydar ‘Alī and delivered to the court. It states, “The Lord blesses thosefaithful followers.”
Seal: Muḥammad al-Ḥusaynī, 1299.
Size / Document number: 35.5 x 20.5 cm / ZongA 11

20. Receipt of zakāt from Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
Language: Persian.
Date: Ramaḍān 1311 (March-April 1894).
This receipt is addressed to the jamā‘at of Badakhshān and La‘l bīk khān, andothers. The document reads: “We hope you will not spend your time carelessly. As
for performing the divine service and religious rituals, follow your ancestors. Herein
receipt (rasīdnāmcha) is noted, zakāt of which was sent through Ḥaydar ‘Alī and has
been delivered to the court. The zakāt is as follows: from La‘l bīk khān — 100 kābulī
rupees and 21 rupees, from ‘Azīz bīk — 21 rupees, from Wālid Taqsīr Jān — 16
rupees, from Sayyid Ṣādiq — 4 rupees. The Lord blesses you all and protects you from
Satan’s evil deeds and plots at the time of the end of the world.”
Seals: <Side a> ‘Alī az nasl-i Ḥasan wa Ḥusayn-ast, 1251. <Side b> Afawwaḍu amrī40

I. DOCUMENTS RELATED TO ĀGHĀ KHĀNS

ilā allāhi inna allāha baṣīrun bi-l-‘ibādi, Allāh laṭīf bi-‘ibādihi yarzuqu min yashā’;Muḥammad al-Ḥusaynī, 1299.
Size / Document number: 43.5 x 27.0 cm / ZongA 12

21. Receipt of zakāt from Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
Language: Persian.
Date: Dhū al-ḥijja 1318 (March-April 1901).
This receipt was sent to the jamā‘at of Rūshān, Shughnān, Khūf, Bartang, Yārkand,Chitrār, Zībāk, Darwāz, Ishkāshīm, Wakhān and Darāyūm, and Mu‘allim Sayyid
Mursal. The receipt reads that “the zakāt consisting of 1600 kaldār and kābulī rupees
and Bukharan tanga, 2 silver presents, 5 small yāmbū, 1 big yāmbū, 3 gold rings,
1 silver earring, 1.5 ṭūlas of gold dust, and 1 Russian ashrafī coin, which was sent
through faithful Sayyid Mursal, has been conveyed to the court’s officials. The Lord
blesss you and be happy.”
Seals: <Side a> Sulṭān Muḥammad al-Ḥusaynī, 13[...]. <Side b> Muḥammad alḤusaynī, 1299; Muḥammad(?).
Size / Document number: 32.4 x 21.4 cm / Suchon 9

22. Receipt of zakāt from Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
Language: Persian.
Date: Muḥarram 1320 (April-May1902).
This receipt is addressed to the jamā‘at of Shuqnān, Badakhshān, Darwāz, Yārkand,Chitrār, Mukhī Sayyid Mursal, and other faithful. The receipt reads that “the following
zakāt consisting of big yāmbū — [...] pcs, small yāmbū — 2 pcs, Russian gold — 23
pcs, kaldar (sic.) rupees — 300 pcs, silver necklace — 1 pce, silver bracelets — 1
pair, white silk cloth —[...] pcs, camel oil — 1 bottle, which was sent through Khayr-i
Muḥammad, has been conveyed to the court’s officials. Day to day, the Lord blesses
your property.”
Seals: <Side a> Sulṭān Muḥammad al-Ḥusaynī, 13[...]. <Side b> Muḥammad alḤusaynī, 1299; Muḥammad(?).
41

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

Size / Document number: 39.2 x 26.2 cm / Suchon 2

23. Receipt of zakāt from Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
Language: Persian.
Date: Shawwāl 1321 (December 1903 - January 1904).
This document is addressed to the jamā‘ats of Shuqnān, Darwāz, Yārkand, Rūshān,
Mukhī Sayyid Mursal, and other faithful. The document reads as follows: “As you
recognize yourselves to be faithful to the Imām, you should observe solidarity andamity among yourselves. Clean your soul with the love of Imām (Shāh-i wilāyat). The
Lord wishes you well. The following zakāt consisting of Russian ashrafī — 72 pcs,
English gold — 4 pcs, Bukharan ashrafī— 1 pce, factory-made ashrafī coins — 2 pcs,
Chinese tanzū (sic.) — 2 pcs, Chinese parpī — 5 pcs, silver presents — 3 pcs, gold
button — 3 pcs, Bukharan coin — 1 (?), which was sent through Muḥammad Walī, hasbeen conveyed to the court’s officials. May the Lord bless you.”
Seals: <Side a> Sulṭān Muḥammad al-Ḥusaynī, 13[...]. <Side b> Muḥammad alḤusaynī, 1299; Muḥammad(?).
Size / Document number: 47.2 x 28.7 cm / Suchon 1

24. Receipt of zakāt from Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
Language: Persian.
Date: Dhū al-ḥijja 1325 (January-February 1908).
This receipt is addressed to the jamā‘ats of Wakhān, Zībāk, Sariqūl, Yārkand, Chitrār,Mu‘allim Sayyid Karam ‘Alī Shāh, and other faithful. The receipt begins without
reference to the name of God. The document states: “The following zakāt consistingof kaldār rupees — 1000 pcs, big Russian gold — 64 pcs, small gold coins — 95 pcs,
Russian ṣūm — 57.5, kābulī rupees — 43 pcs, big yāmbū — 18 pcs, small yāmbū — 8
pcs, silver necklace — 1 pce, gold button — 1 pce, diamond encrusted gold earrings —1 pce, silver earrings — 1 pce, attire [...] — 1 pce, Chinese rings — 1 pce which wassent through Sayyid Shāh Langar, Sayyid Shams al-Dīn Shāh and Muḥammad Atakhān
has been conveyed to the court’s officials. May the family of the faithful be filled with42

I. DOCUMENTS RELATED TO ĀGHĀ KHĀNS

good deeds.”
On the side b, there is writing in Gujarati script.
Seal: Sulṭān Muḥammad al-Ḥusaynī, 13[...].
Size / Document number: 35.5 x 23.0 cm / ZongA 13

25. Receipt of zakāt from Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
Language: Persian.
Date: Dhū al-ḥijja 1325 (January-February 1908).
This document is addressed to the jamā‘ats of Shuqnān, Rūshān, Bartang, Chitrār,
Darwāz, Mu‘allim Sayyid Mursal, and other faithful. The receipt states: “The following
zakāt consisting of Russian small gold coins — 181 pcs, kaldār rupees — 120 pcs, goldrings — 2 pcs, taffeta (qanāvīz) cloth — one pair, which was sent through Khalīfa ‘Abd
al-Raṣūl, has been conveyed to the court’s officials. The Imām blesses your property
and will protect you all from Satan’s evil deeds.”
Seal: Sulṭān Muḥammad al-Ḥusaynī, 13[...].
Size / Document number: 34.9 x 21.2 cm / Suchon 11

26. Receipt of zakāt from Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
Language: Persian.
Date: Rabī‘ al-awwal 1335 (December 1916 - January 1917).
This receipt is addressed to Mukī Sayyid Mursal and the jamā‘ats of Qund, Sūchān,
Shākhdara, Shughnān, Khūf, Bajū, Rūshān, Bartang, Tanshīb, Darwāz, Chitrār, Zībāk,Wakhān, and Qārān. The receipt states: “The following zakāt sent with Kāmryā GhulāmNāṣir and Naqẓī bīk consisting of 2.5 ganī of Russian gold [coins] and 47 Russianbanknotes, which totals 1125 roubles, has been already conveyed to the representativesof the court.”
On the side b, the name of Mukhī Sayyid Mursal is written.
Seal: Muḥammad al-Ḥusaynī, 1299.
Size / Document number: 34.7 x 20.8 cm / Suchon 14

43

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

27. Receipt of zakāt from Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
Language: Persian.
Date: Dhū al-qa‘da 1335 (August-September 1917).
This receipt is addressed to the jamā‘ats of Wakhān, Ishkāshīm, Zībāk, Yārkand,Sariqūl, Tung, and Chitrāl. “Representatives of the court have received from Mukī
Sayyid Shāh Langar, Chief Kāmryā Sayyid Shams al-Dīn and Sayyid Mi‘rāj Russianbanknotes. A total of 1061.5 ṣūms from the side of Sayyid Shāh Langar and 120 ṣūmsfrom the side of Kāmryā Sayyid Shams al-Dīn have been received. Also, 12 silver
coins and 1 big yāmbū have been received from Mukī Shāh Langar.”
Seal: Muḥammad al-Ḥusaynī, 1299(?).
Size / Document number: 31.0 x 21.5 cm / ZongA 16

28. Receipt of zakāt from Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
Language: Persian.
Date: Jumādā al-awwal 1341 (December 1922 - January 1923).
This receipt is addressed to Mukī Shāh Sayyid Langar, Kāmryā Shams al-Dīn, and thejamā‘ats of Wakhān, Zībāk, Warshkūm, Sariqūl, and Yārkand. The document reads:“The Imām always remembers and blesses you. It is important that you incessantly
pray to the Imām. He exists everywhere and sees all our deeds. Do not stray fromthe correct path. Do not show laziness or nonchalance in collecting zakāt. In general,
carry out worthy and laudable work, which are deeds of the faithful people. Treat eachother with love, loyalty, respect, and courtesy.” The zakāt [consisting of:] 1500 kāldār
(sic.) rupees, 3 pcs of big Chinese yāmbū, 84 pcs of five-ṣūm Russian half-ganī, 9 pcs
of English ganī, 110 pcs of Russian ten-ṣūm ganī, 26 (?) Russian ṣūms, 57 Russianhalf-ṣūm rupees, 12 Chinese coins, and 2 tea bowls has been conveyed to the court’s
officials. “The Lord blesses your life and property.”
The side b also contains a text, which was written in later times and is not relevant tothe content of the receipt.
Seals: <Side a> Sulṭān Muḥammad al-Ḥusaynī, 13[...]. <Side b> Muḥammad alḤusaynī, 1299; Muḥammad(?).
Size / Document number: 41.0 x 27.4 cm / ZongA 18
44

I. DOCUMENTS RELATED TO ĀGHĀ KHĀNS

29. Receipt of zakāt from Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
Language: Persian.
Date: Sha‘bān 1342 (March-April 1924).
This document issued under number 4 is addressed to the jamā‘at of Khwārugh-ipāyān. The receipt attests: “The zakāt collected through the anjuman and sent withMashnarī Sabz ‘Alī has been delivered to the court.” This zakāt consisted of paymentsfrom 72 people totaling up to 3 big gold coins, 38.5 gold coins, 185.5 kābulī, 74 canvas
cloth (karbāsī), 95 kaldār rupee, 67 gaz cloth (sān), 5 gaz chintz (chit), 6 gaz gabrūn(sic.), 4 socks (jūrāb), 1 bracelet, 1 chekmen (chakman), 1 qirān, and 2(?). It states: “TheLord blesses you, your property, and your children.”
Seal: Muḥammad al-Ḥusaynī, 1299(?).
Size / Document number: 42.7 x 27.3 cm / Kharugh 5

30. Receipt of zakāt from Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
Language: Persian.
Date: Rajab 1343 (January-February 1925).
This document issued under number 221 is addressed to the following faithful: Kirmān
Shāh, Ḥaqq Naẓar, Dawlat, Shāh-qulī, Gharīb Muḥammad, and all members of thecommunity (anjuman) of Khwārugh-i pāyān. The receipt states: “The zakāt sent withKhwāja Mu’min has been conveyed to the court’s officials”. The zakāt consisted of thepayments from 89 people in rupees and tanga totaling to, 1235.5 rupees and 18 tanga.
It states: “The Lord blesses your spiritual and material life.”
Seal: Muḥammad al-Ḥusaynī, 1299(?).
Defects: Due to moisture, some words and letters became superimposed on each other.
Size / Document number: 64.6 x 29.8 cm / Kharugh 7

31. Receipt of zakāt from Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
Language: Persian.
Date: Dhū al-qa‘da 1343 (May-June 1925).
45

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

This document issued under number 263 is addressed to the following faithful: Kirmān
Shāh, Hak Naẓar, Dawlat, Shāh-qulī, Gharīb Muḥammad, and all members of thecommunity (anjuman) of Khwārugh-i pāyān. The receipt reads: “All faithful are under
the watchful eyes of the Imām and we wish you peace in your earthly and after-deathlife. Spend your precious time in obedience and divine service. Treat your fellow
believers with solidarity and unanimous consent. According to the receipt and new law,
give the tithe (one-tenth) (‘ushr-i māl) from your income as this is the property of God.
The zakāt sent by telegraph to the court has been conveyed to the court’s officials.”This zakāt was sent from 86 persons and 2 jamā‘at-khāna; it was, in total, 1938 rupees,
6.5 tanga, and 10 qirān. 7 canvas cloth (karbāsī) from Chust ‘Alī and a gold bar fromḤaqq Naẓar, all of which was sent with Mashnarī Sabz ‘Alī, have also been delivered
to the court. The Lord blesses your life, property, faith, and your children.”
Seal: Muḥammad al-Ḥusaynī, 1299(?).
Size / Document number: 69.7 x 35.2 cm / Kharugh 8

32. Receipt of zakāt from Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
Language: Persian.
Date: Jumādā al-awwal 1345 (November 1926).
This document issued under number 137 is addressed to the following faithful: ‘Abd
al-Raḥīm, Maḥram bīk, Khāldār, Waṭanī, and all those obedient in the village of Rijist.
The document reads: “We hope that all faithful will be under God’s protection. We ask
from God peace both in earthly and after-death life. And those faithful should always
be engaged in obedience and divine service. Clear your hearts of Satan’s evil deeds
and carnal desires. Treat your fellow believers with solidarity, unanimous consent, andamity. Apportion zakāt (mālīya-i wājibī) from your assets and send it to the Imām’s
court. The zakāt sent with Tār has been conveyed to the court’s officials.” This zakāt
consisted of payments from 70 people totaling up to 3 ten-ṣūm gold coins, 14 five-ṣūm
gold coins, 14 big gold coins, 5 small gold coins, 300.5 ṣūms, 10 tiyin, 31.5 tanga, 1
rupee. It reads: “The Lord blesses your life, property, faith, and your children.”
Seal: Muḥammad al-Ḥusaynī, 1299(?).
Size / Document number: 39.4 x 20.4 cm / KhidorjevB 5

46

I. DOCUMENTS RELATED TO ĀGHĀ KHĀNS

33. Receipt of zakāt from Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
Language: Persian.
Date: Ramaḍān 1346 (February-March 1928).
This document was sent to servant Ātash bīk and all his subordinates. The document
reads: “Those sincere as well as their ancestors have been faithful to this family; andspend your time in obedience and divine service. The zakāt sent through Sayyid ShāhMaghḍūm has been conveyed to the court’s officials.” This zakāt presented paymentsfrom 39 people, consisting of 3 five-ṣūm gold coins, 2 big gold coins, 5 ṣūm worth ofsilver, 52 ṣūms, and one ruby stone. It states: “The Lord blesses all the sincere.”
Seal: Muḥammad al-Ḥusaynī, 1299(?).
Size / Document number: 40.0 x 20.9 cm / KhidorjevB 6

34. Receipt of zakāt from Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
Language: Persian.
Date: Ramaḍān 1348 (January-February 1930).
This document is addressed to Mukī Khwāja Badal and all residents of the Ghund
Valley, who are subordinate to him. The document reads: “Those faithful should
endeavor to maintain obedience and divine service. The zakāt of the faithful that wassent through faithful Mukī Sayyid Asad has been conveyed to the court’s officials, andit contains: Russian five-ṣūm gold coins — 3 pcs, Russian silver ṣūms — 210.5. The
Lord blesses all the faithful.”
Seal: Muḥammad al-Ḥusaynī, 1299(?).
Size / Document number: 35.0 x 21.6 cm / KhidorjevB 7

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DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

C. Others
1. Letter from Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī / Āghā Khān I to Fatḥ ‘Alī Shāh
Language: Persian.
Date: The date is not indicated on the document. However, it was probably sent after
1246 AH (1830-31 AD), the year indicated in Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī’s seal, and while Fatḥ ‘Alī
Shāh (1772-1834) was alive.
Shāh Ḥasan ‘Alī addressed this letter to ‘Alī to Fatḥ ‘Alī Shāh requesting to offer
hospitality to Sayyid Aḥmad khān and escort him to the house of Yāqūt Shāh.
Seals: <Side a> Afawwaḍu amrī ilā allāhi inna allāha baṣīrun bi-l-‘ibādi Allāh laṭīf bi‘ibādihi yarzuqu min yashā’, 1246 (affixed twice). <Side b> Har Ḥusaynī nasabī ṣāḥib-ikhalq-i Ḥasan ast.
Size / Document number: 41.4 x 26.7 cm / ZongA 20

2. Record of the words of Sulṭān Muḥammad Shāh / Āghā Khān III
Language: Persian.
Date: 10th Muḥarram 1332, Tuesday at 12 o’clock (9th December 1913).
The document consists of 4 folios. In the month of muḥarram of 1332, Āghā Khān
III departed for Pakistan. There he gathered all chiefs of Badakhshān and held anaudience with them. The document presents the words of Āghā Khān III, as recorded
by a resident of Badakhshān whose name is not indicated on the document. During
the audience with Āghā Khān III, the mukī of Chitrār, Sayyid Thābit Raḥīm, brought
to Āghā Khān’s notice that “the jamā‘at had divided over the questions of cognitionof religion. Each group acknowledges the Imām in their own way.” The Imām noted:“Everyone may understand the Imām in his own way. And no one has any relation tomy personality. Those people who recognized my order but used zakāt for their own
purposes have turned into Nimrod.” Also Āghā Khān III stressed that he “will visit
Russia and build relations with the king of Russia.”
Folio ii-b has a printed heading with the following inscription in English: “Peshawur
mountain battery” and “Frontier force.”
Seal: No seal.
Size / Document number: 17.5 x 11.0 cm / Porshinev 248

II. DOCUMENTS RELATED TO MUKHĪS

II. Documents related to mukhīs
A. Orders
1. Order of mukhī Sayyid Shāh Ṣafdar
Language: Persian.
Date: 1328 (1910-11).
This note was sent from the side of dā‘ī (i.e. mukhī) Sayyid Shāh Ṣafdar to Khalīfa
Langarī. The document reads: “I have safely arrived to the place of Shāh Ṣāḥib, thevillage of Suchān. Therefore, I respectfully request you with this note [about necessity]
to bring without delay the antelope fur and zakāt (māl-i sarkārī). I will leave this placesoon; therefor meet me at Past-Khūf.”
The side b also contains an inscription reading: “To be delivered to Khalīfa Langarī in
Sirdīm”.
Seal: Sayyid Shāh Ṣafdar (affixed twice).
Size / Document number: 16.8 x 8.0 cm / Porshinev 15

2. Request of Sayyid Maḥmūd Shāh
Language: Persian.
Date: 15th Jumādā al-thānī 1330, Friday (1st June 1912).
This document was sent from the side of Sayyid Maḥmūd Shāh to Shāh Manṣūr,Dawlat, and Dīwāna, the son of Karam ‘Alī. The document reads: “As soon as you
receive this note, we ask you to fulfill your filial duty and together with your brother,Ḥājjī Dūst Muḥammad, to go to the place [named] Gurg. There, give 6 kūsh of grain
and 3 “ulāgh mushing (sarkār-i grain) ” to Dūst Muḥammad’s shop. Of course, this is arequest.”Seal: Sayyid Maḥmūd Shāh.
Size / Document number: 22.3 x 11.8 cm / Porshinev 18

49

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

3. Order of Mukhī Sayyid Yūsuf ‘Alī Shāh
Language: Persian.
Date: 15th Rabī‘ al-ākhir 1335 (10th February 1917).
This document was sent from the side of Mukhī Sayyid Yūsuf ‘Alī Shāh to all jamā‘atof Vīr. The document notes that all faithful residents of Vīr should be informed about
the dā‘ī’s orders concerning buying and selling grain (sarkārī). “When in need of grain,
you may buy grain from the depository in the following way [at the following prices]:
1 paymana of grain — 2 rupees in Muslim money or 1.5 ṣūms in Russian money, beans— 4 tanga in Muslim money or 1 ṣūm in Russian money. Because under-evaluating
and using the Imām’s property cheaply for one’s own benefit is sinful, such actions
will curse your property and your children. Should someone of the followers (murīds)
ignore this order, it will disappoint the dā‘ī.”The side b reads: “It has come to Sayyid ‘Alāwat Shāh’s notice that you gave one-tenthof the gathered grain (sarkārī), and this made the dā‘ī happy. We pray that the Lord
multiply the abundance 100 times in the earthly life and 1000 times in the after-deathlife. Concerning selling and buying grain use these prices. We hope you do not suffer
losses.”Seals: Sayyid Yūsuf ‘Alī Shāh al-rājī ilā Allāh, 1318(?); Yūsuf ‘Alī(?) (affixed twice).
Size / Document number: 26.9 x 15.9 cm / Porshinev 7

4. Order of Mukhī Muḥammad ‘Alī Shāh
Language: Persian.
Date: 2nd thawr 1313 of Solar Calendar (22nd April 1934).
This document was sent from the side of Mukhī Muḥammad ‘Alī Shāh to the jamā‘atof Ghund from Tang to Vibist. In the document, the dā‘ī orders to his followers: “Ihave heard that you by yourselves appointed Ḥasan Shāh to the position of khalīfa,
who acts by his own decisions and unlawfully harasses khalīfas in other territories. Of
course, you may recommend a person who is trustworthy and faithful for the positionof khalīfa. The person whom you appoint in this position must cope with his duties andshould not show laziness. Secondly, each khalīfa must satisfy the territory that belongs
to him and must not interfere in the territories of the others. As it is known, from Tang
50

II. DOCUMENTS RELATED TO MUKHĪS

to Karīm bāy’s territory is the territory of Shāh Nizār, the son of ‘Aṭāligh Shāh. From
the territory of Wuzh to Charsīm is Karam Shāh’s territory. The jamā‘at will have notto break the order of this dā‘ī but execute the order. If someone would deny this order,
it will disappoint the dā‘ī.”
Seal: The document bears no official seal, but at the end of the document there is anindication of the name of “Muḥammad ‘Alī Shāh.”Size / Document number: 20.7 x 18.2 cm / Porshinev 19

5. Mukhī’s order issued to Shāh Langar and Fāḍil bīk
Language: Persian.
Date: Non-dated.
This document was sent to Shāh Langar and Fāḍil bīk. The document reads: “We hopethat all the devout will be saved from Satan’s evil deeds. All devout followers shouldobey the orders of Imām Shāh Ḥusaynī and listen to his words. Treat your fellow
believers with solidarity and love. Collect zakāt, which is obligatory for each memberof the faithful, in time and send it to Āghā Khān’s court. The teacher should not show
laziness in teaching followers and each year should visit them, collect their zakāt andsend it to Āghā Khān’s court. Zakāt should not be kept there long, but used to buy
produce at any price and send the offerings of the faithful to the court. We hope that
the Lord will open the doors of mercy to the faithful and save them in their earthly andafter-death lives. Amen!”
Seals: [...] al-malik al-ḥaqq al-mubīn [...]; lā ilāha illā Allāh al-malik al-ḥaqq al-mubīn[...] ‘Alī-qulī Shah(?).
Defects: The paper of the document is holed along the fold and at the fourth line.
Size / Document number: 21.7 x 13.0 cm / ZongA 26

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DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

B. Tables on collected zakāt
1. Table on collected zakāt
Language: Persian.
Date: Non-dated.
This table was compiled on zakāt (mālīya-i wājibāt) collected among the residents ofthe village of Barwāz. The person responsible for collecting zakāt was Shāh Dawlat,
a resident of the village of Zanudhj. The table lists 9 names and provides informationon the amount of the collected zakāt. The calligrapher who compiled the table did notknow Persian well and made many spelling mistakes.
Seal: No seal.
Defects: The edges of the document are ripped, but the text has not suffered.
Size / Document number: 22.0 x 18.0 cm / Porshinev 10

2. Table on collected zakāt
Language: Persian.
Date: Non-dated.
This table was compiled on the zakāt (mālīya-i wājibāt) collected among the residentsof Shākhdara-i bālā, who followed Mukī Sayyid Shāh ‘Abd al-Ma‘ānī. The person
responsible for collecting zakāt was the resident of the village of Zanudhj, Shāh
Dawlat, the son of Amān bīk. The table lists 28 names and provides information on theamount of the collected zakāt. There are a lot of spelling mistakes in the document. On
the side b, due to the lack of space on the paper, the names of zakāt-givers are written
both left to right and vice versa.
Seal: No seal.
Size / Document number: 26.4 x 21.2 cm / Porshinev 1252

II. DOCUMENTS RELATED TO MUKHĪS

C. Other
1. Mourning for the death by Mukhī Shāh Abū al-Ma‘ānī
Language: Persian.
Date: Jumādā al-awwal 1335 (February - March 1917).
This document was sent from the side of Mukhī Shāh Abū al-Ma‘ānī to Shāh Langar
and all his followers. The document mentions about the death of Shāh Langar’s father.
“I was very sorry to receive the notice about your father’s death. I considered you
father one of the renowned spiritual leaders. Now we will have only to accept thisunfortunate event. It is important that the [followers] be faithful to their Imām. I had
hoped that I could participate in the rituals for your deceased father, but I didn’t havethe opportunity. I hope you will forgive me.”Seal: Shāh Abū al- Ma‘ānī.
Size / Document number: 21.2 x 17.0 cm / ZongA 25

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DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

III. Genealogies
1. Genealogy of Sayyid Sharīf
Languages: Arabic and Persian.
Date: Non-dated.
The document, referring to citations from works by Burhānī and other Islamic
theologians, stresses the necessity to respect descendants of the Prophet Muḥammad
and refrain from insulting them. Then, it states Sayyid Sharīf’s genealogy indicatingthat he was sayyid both on his paternal and maternal sides.
According to this, Sayyid Sharīf in the paternal lineage was son of Sayyid
Ḥukūmat Shāh, son of Shāh Ni‘mat Allāh, son of Mu’min Shāh, son of Sayyid Sulṭān
Shāh, son of Sayyid Shāh Ḥaḍrat, son of Sayyid Shāh Ṣafā, son of Sayyid Ḥiyār, son of
Sayyid Shāh Ḥaḍrat, son of Sayyid Shāh Ni‘mat Allāh, son of Sayyid Ja‘far Khūbān,son of Sulṭān Sayyid Sharīf, son of Sayyid Shāh Malang, son of Sayyid Bābā Malang,son of Sayyid Sulṭān Aḥmad Khurāsānī, son of Sayyid Ḥusayn, son of Sayyid ‘Īsā, sonof Sayyid Mūsā, son of Sayyid Yaḥyā Qalandar, son of Sayyid Yūsuf, son of Sayyid
Ja‘far thānī, son of Sayyid Ḥusayn thānī, son of Sayyid ‘Abd Allāh, son of Sayyid
Imām Ibrāhīm, son of Imām Shāh Sulṭān ‘Alī Mūsā Riḍā, son of Imām Mūsā Kāẓim,son of Imām Ja‘far Ṣādiq, son of Imām Muḥammad Bāqir, son of Imām Zayn al‘Ābidīn, son of Imām Ḥusayn, son of Fāṭima, the daughter of the Prophet Muḥammad.
(Facsimile, p. 115-116, lines 113-127, on the left)
In his maternal lineage, Sayyid Sharīf was son of Fāṭima, daughter of Sayyid
Sharīf, son of Sayyid Shams, son of Sayyid Shāh Manẓar, son of Khān Sayyid, son ofAmīr Shāh, son of Sayyid Ḥasan, son of Sayyid Majnūn, son of Sayyid Abdāl, son of
Sayyid Shāh Sulṭān Aḥmad, son of Sayyid Ḥāfiẓ, son of Sayyid Shāh Ghulām, son of
Sayyid Khwāja Khalīl, son of Sayyid Khwāja Rajab, son of Sayyid Shāh Ghulām Walī,son of Sayyid Ḥasan, son of Sayyid Shādmān Ṣūfī, son of Sayyid Shāh, son of Ṣūfī,son of Sayyid Muḥammad Madanī, son of Sayyid ‘Abd Allāh, son of Sayyid Ḥasan
thānī, son of Sayyid ‘Alī, son of Sayyid Ḥamza, son of Sayyid Aḥmad, son of SayyidIsmā‘īl, son of Sayyid Mahdī, son of Imām Sayyid ‘Abd Allāh thānī, son of Imām
Mūsā Kāẓim, son of Imām Ja‘far Ṣādiq, son of Imām Muḥammad Bāqir, son of Imām
Zayn al-‘Ābidīn, son of Imām Ḥusayn, son of ‘Alī Murtaḍā and Fāṭima, the daughter of
the Prophet Muḥammad. (Facsimile, p. 115, lines 113-126, on the right)
In 1428 AH (2008 AD), this genealogy was extended to include descendants of
Sayyid Sharīf’s brothers. This later addition (85.0 x 19.8 cm) is omitted in the current
54III. GENEALOGIES

publication.
Seal: Sayyid Sharīf ibn Sayyid Ḥukūmat Shāh (affixed twice).
Defects: The top-left edge of the document is torn off; some letters are missing.
Size / Document number: 189.5 x 22.0 cm / Kharugh 9

2. Genealogy of Sayyid Malik Jahān Shāh / Sayyid ‘Umar Yamghī
Language: Persian.
Date: The document is dated 830 AH (1426 AD); however, judging from the conditionof the paper, it must probably be a later copy.
The document presents the genealogy of Sayyid Malik Jahān Shāh, also known as
Sayyid ‘Umar Yamghī, written in prose and verse, according to which Sayyid ‘Umar
Yamghī was son of Sayyid Mīr Aḥmad, son of Sayyid Ḥusayn Māh, son of Sayyid
Turk Sulaymān, son of Sayyid Yaḥyā Qalandar, son of Sayyid Ḥāth, son of Sayyid ‘Abd
Allāh, son of Sayyid Ḥusayn, son of Sayyid Qaḥṭaba, son of Sayyid Ibrāhīm, son of
Sayyid Mālik Azhdar, son of Imām Muḥammad Bāqir, son of Imām Zayn al-‘Ābidīn,
son of Imām Ḥusayn, son of Fāṭima, daughter of the Prophet Muḥammad, and Amīr almu’minīn ‘Alī.
Seal: No seal.
Defects: The introduction part is missing.
Size / Document number: 98.7 x 8.4 cm / Barrushan 10

3. Genealogy of Mu‘allim Ṣādiq
Language: Persian.
Date: Non-dated.
The document presents the genealogy of Mu‘allim Ṣādiq written by Qāḍa (sic.)
Rustam. The document states that the son of Darwīsh ‘Alī, son of Ādīna Muḥammad,son of Rustam, son of Darwīsh ‘Alī, son of Ādīna Muḥammad, son of Mīr Muḥammad,son of Mullā ‘Alī, son of Qāḍa (sic.) Rustam, son of Pāyanda Muḥammad, son ofDarwīsh ‘Alī, son of Qāḍa (sic.) Rustam, is Mullā Ṣāliḥ. However, the genealogy does
not indicate the relationship between Mullā Ṣāliḥ and Mu‘allim Ṣādiq and appears
55

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

incoherent.
Seal: No seal.
Size / Document number: 20.7 x 12.8 cm / Barvoz 32

56

IV. OTHER DOCUMENTS RELATED TO RELIGIOUS MATTERS

IV. Other documents related to religious matters
1. Memorandum on sayyids
Language: Persian.
Date: Non-dated.
The memo states that there exist four types of sayyids (sayyid ṣaḥīḥ al-nasab, sayyid
khārij al-nasab, sayyid dākhil al-nasab, and sayyid majhūl al-nasab).
On the side b, several names are indicated with their corresponding numbers in abjad
numerals.
Seal: No seal.
Size / Document number: 22.0 x 16.5 cm / Porshinev 4

2. Prayer (du‘ā)Language: Persian.
Date: Non-dated.
The document presents the Ismaili prayer ‘Allahumma yā Mawlānā’ of the time ofSulṭān Muḥammad Shāh.
Seal: No seal.
Size / Document number: 14.5 x 11.3 cm / Porshinev 17

3. Prayer (du‘ā)Language: Persian.
Date: Non-dated.
The document shows two versions of the Ismaili prayer ‘Allahumma yā Mawlānā’.
Seal: No seal.
Size / Document number: 18.8 x 22.5 cm / Porshinev 13

57

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

4. Fatwā
Language: Persian.
Date: Non-dated.
The document presents a legal opinion (fatwā) that declares Muḥammad Ḥakīm’s
complaint against Muḥammad Akbar Shāh Īshīkāqābāshī invalid.
Seal: Sayyid Mullā Shāh Khwāja Mudarris ibn Qāḍī ‘Abd al-Fattāḥ.
Defects: The document is damaged around the text.
Size / Document number: 21.0 x 21.5 cm / Porshinev 8

5. Booklet
Language: Persian / Tajik.
Date: The date is not indicated on the document. However, it is evident from thecontent that the booklet was published during World War II.
Printed in Persian. Seven prominent Ismaili leaders address Ismailis of Badakhan
stressing the terrible damage and devastation caused by Hitler’s invasion of the Soviet
Union and calling upon them to fight together with Tadjiks, Uzbeks, Turkmen, Tatars
and other Muslims, as well as Russians and Ukrainians, for their Soviet Motherland in
the battle against Germany. The booklet consists of 7 pages.
Size / Document number: 19.5 x 13.0 cm / Porshinev 358

V. ORDERS

V. Orders
1. OrderLanguage: Persian.
Date: Shawwāl 1311 (April-May 1894).
The order commands Qāḍī Ijāzat Shāh to return Sayyid Kirmān Shāh Āqā his land
located in Khārūgh so that the latter himself can cultivate the land and pay taxes.
Seal: No seal.
Defects: The document is ripped at the bottom, some letters are missing.
Size / Document number: 22.6 x 16.4 cm / Kharugh 2

2. Appointment letter
Language: Persian.
Date: Jumādā al-awwal 1315 (September-October 1897).
The documents states that Sayyid Amīr ‘Abd al-Aḥad from Bukhārā appoints Sayyid
Mīrzā Ashraf Shughnānī as ūrāq-i khurd of Bukhārā.
Seal: Sayyid Amīr ‘Abd al-Aḥad ibn Amīr Muẓaffar.
Size / Document number: 50.0 x 28.8 cm / Suchon 8

3. Appointment letter
Language: Persian.
Date: 12th November 1916, Monday (25th November 1916).
By this document, the commander of the Langar outpost appoints Mu’min Shāh asaqsaqāl of Langar. There is a signature in Russian below the text.
Seal: Nachal’nik posta Liangarskago, Pamirskago otriada.
Size / Document number: 10.4 x 17.5 cm / Langar 18

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DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

4. OrderLanguage: Persian.
Date: 4th January 1917 (17th January 1917).
This document, issued by the commander of the Langar outpost, states that Aqsaqāl
Mu’min Shāh and Ṣafar Muḥammad lost their seals on January 2, 1917, Saturday, andorders that the finder should report to the authorities.
There is an indication of the date, January 4, 1917, and a signature in Russian below
the text.
Seal: Nachal’nik posta Liangarskago, Pamirskago otriada.
Size / Document number: 10.7 x 17.5 cm / Langar 17

5. OrderLanguage: Persian.
Date: 27th March 1918.
By this order, the commander of the Langar outpost appoints Mu’min Shāh, son of ‘Ābid
Shāh from Langar village, as aqsaqāl of Langar.
The document is signed in Russian below the text.
Seals: Nachal’nik posta Liangarskago, Pamirskago otriada. On the side b, the document
bears 5 seal impressions, none of which is legible.
Size / Document number: 17.5 x 10.0 cm / Langar 24

6. OrderLanguage: Persian.
Date: 14th Jumādā al-thānī / 5th March 191x. The last digit of the year is not indicated;
however, because the Jumādā al-thānī corresponds to March only in 1919 in the period
from 1910 to 1919 AD., it should be 1919.
14th Jumādā al-thānī 1337 (17th March 1919) / 5th March 1919
The head of the Civil Section Zaimkin orders Rustam Shāh, qāḍī of Shāhdara, and the60

V. ORDERS

elders of Zanūdj village to pay, in accordance with the request made by Ādīna Jum‘abāy, 1 yāmbū in exchange for several sheep. Below the text, there is a signature ofground force captain Zaimkin, the Head of the Civil Section, in Russian.
Stamp: Pamirskii Voenno Pogranichnyi otriad.
Seal: No seal.
Size / Document number: 11.0 x 17.7 cm / Barvoz 28

7. OrderLanguage: Persian.
Date: 29th April 1337 / 1919.
The Chief of the Pamir Military Border Region informs the qāḍī of Shāhdara that acomplaint was filed by a certain ‘Abd Allāh khān stating that he was beaten with astick by someone named Pādshāh and orders qāḍī to investigate the case and punish
the offender, should the facts be confirmed. The document is signed in Russian by the
Chief’s Aid and Secretary.
Stamp: Turkestanskaia Respublika Rossiiskoi Sovetskoi Federatsii, Upravliaiushchii
Pamirskim Voenno-Pogranichnym raionom.
Seal: No seal.
Size / Document number: 11.0 x 17.5 cm / Barvoz 20

8. OrderLanguage: Persian.
Date: 28th Rajab 1337 (29th April 1919) / 28th April 1919.
The order issued to mingbāshī of Wakhān prohibits livestock from entering into otherpeople’s lands. In case a cow breaks into the land that belongs to another person, apenalty of 5 ṣūms shall be paid. The owner of the cow shall be subjected to 5 days of
unpaid labour at the local courthouse. Anyone who finds a cow that belongs to anotherperson on the own land must report about it to the courthouse. There is a signature in
Russian.
Seal: No seal.
61

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

Size / Document number: 11.0 x 17.7 cm / Langar 23

9. OrderLanguage: Persian.
Date: 22nd Jumādā al-awwal 1338 / 12th February 1920.
Ground force captain Zaimkin orders Qāḍī Rustam to appear, by a request from Karīm,
at the courthouse of Khārūgh on 28th Jumādā al-awwal 1338. The document is signed
in Russian by the Head of the Civil Section, Zaimkin.
Stamp: Pamirskii Voenno Pogranichnyi otriad.
Seal: No seal.
Size / Document number: 11.2 x 17.5 cm / Barvoz 24

10. Order
Language: Persian.
Date: 22nd Muḥarram 1339 (6th October 1920) / 5th October 1920.
Mīrzā Sulaymān, Vice-Head of the Civil Section orders Qāḍī Rustam to explain, in
accordance with the request from Qāḍī Mullā Naẓar bīk, to the courthouse that althoughaqsaqāls are not permitted to meddle in sharī‘a-related affairs as they have attempted
to do.
Stamp: Turkestanskaia Respublika Rossiiskoi Sovetskoi Federatsii, Upravliaiushchii
Pamirskim Voenno-Pogranichnym raionom.
Seal: No seal.
Size / Document number: 11.2 x 18.3 cm / Barvoz 23

11. Order
Language: Persian.
Date: 12th Ṣafar 1339 (26th October 1920) / 23rd October 1920.
62

V. ORDERS

The Head of the Civil Section orders Qāḍī Rustam, qāḍī of Shāhdara, to appear at the
courthouse, because it is his turn to serve the next 10-day shift.
Stamp: Turkestanskaia Respublika Rossiiskoi Sovetskoi Federatsii, Upravliaiushchii
Pamirskim Voenno-Pogranichnym raionom.
Seal: No seal.
Size / Document number: 10.0 x 11.0 cm / Barvoz 22

12. Order
Language: Persian.
Date: 5th January 1921.
Ḥākim Petr Zaimkin orders Qāḍī Mullā Rustam to investigate a complaint filed by thebrothers Ḥusān Shāh and Qushqār bīk and to file a report on the case to the courthouseof Kharugh.
There is an indication of the date, April 4, 1917, and a signature of the Vice-Chairmanof the Revolutionary Committee below the text, both in Russian.
Seal: No seal.
Size / Document number: 11.6 x 22.0 cm / Barvoz 26

13. Order
Language: Persian.
Date: 10th February 1921.
Ḥākim Petr Zaimkin orders Qāḍī Sayyid Rustam to investigate the complaint filed by
Pādshāh and Shukr bīk Naẓar ‘Alī regarding the summer pasture in Qāra-qurūm that
had been agreed on with Mīrzā ‘Alī Khān and to report on the case to the courthouse.
Stamp: Turkestanskaia Respublika Rossiiskoi Sovetskoi Federatsii.
Seal: Pamirskii Urevkom (uezdnyi revoliutsionnyi komitet) raiona Pamirskogo otriada.
Size / Document number: 11.1 x 18.4 cm / Barvoz 25

63

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

VI. Deeds
1. DeedLanguage: Persian.
Date: 7th Jumādā al-awwal 1160 (17th May 1747).
This deed certifies that Mullā Naẓarī, son of Khwāja Zangī, in order to settle his debt
of 500 tanga, gives a piece of land in Zāng Village as a gift to Shāh Langar, son of
Shāh Naẓar Shāh. Mullā Naẓarī does not have children, and his wife Shakar Khwāja’sdaughter, Khūja Bīgīm, also agrees to this deal.
Witnesses: Mullā Ittiyār; Mubārak-qadam; Arbāb Fāḍil with his brothers and children;
Shukr Khwāja, the son of Qalandar; Sunbul Kashankhānī; Aqsaqāl Bābā-yi Zāngī; ‘Abd
al-‘Alī; Shāh Qudrat; Mullā Muḥammad; Pīr Muḥammad; Baghdād; Bīk Panjī; Qurcha;Gadā Muḥammad; Khudāy-bīrdī; Sayyid Bīk; Shaykh; Mullā Ḥājjī; Ni‘mat Allāh, theson of Qalandar; Dawlat Shāh; Arbāb ‘Āshūr.
Seals: Qāḍī Mīrzā [...] ibn Qāḍī Ghiyāth Mīrzā; Amīr Manṣūr ibn Mahdī Shāh.
Size / Document number: 34.7 x 21.7 cm / ZongA 21

2. DeedLanguage: Persian.
Date: 4th Ramaḍān 1165 (16th July 1752).
The document certifies the rights of Khudūb Riḍā, son of Shāda, for ownership of theland he inherited in Tīzak-i Pāyān Village.
Witnesses: Shīra Mad; Naẓar; Qurbān Mabrūr khān; Ṣafar; Shā Murād.
Kātib: Mullā Shā ‘Alī.
Seal: There are three impressions of the same oval seal at the top of the document;
however, all of them are illegible.
Size / Document number: 21.0 x 11.3 cm / Suchon 15

64

VI. DEEDS

3. DeedLanguage: Persian.
Date: 20th Ramaḍān 131x, the Year of the Snake. The last digit of the year is notindicated; however, because the Year of the Snake in the period from 1310 to 1319
corresponds only to 1310, it should be 1310. (6th April 1893)
The document certifies that Shīrīn bīk Yāmjī, son of Ṣafar Muḥammad Yāmjī, has
handed over his son Gul-bīrda and daughter Ḥayāt bīgim as servants to Sayyid Mīrzā
Ashraf, the son of Khwāja Ghulām Shāh.
Witnesses: Sayyid Qāḍī Ijāzat Shāh, the son of Sayyid Ṣūf Shāh; Qāḍī Sayyid Yaḥyā,the son of Sayyid Muẓaffar Shāh; Aqsaqāl Shukr bīk; Aqsaqāl Riḍwān Shāh; Khalīfa
Shā Ghiyāth, the son of Khalīfa Ayyām bīk; Shams Muḥammad and Niyāz Muḥammad,the sons of Ṣafar Muḥammad; Mīr ‘Aṭā bīk, the son of Aqsaqāl Malik bīk; ‘Alī Gawhar
and Āzāda Mihr, the sons of Mīrzā Muḥammad; Muḥammad Nasīm, the son of Bakht
Dawlat; Muḥammad Mūsā, the son of Mīrzā Ḥasan; the people of Shughnān; Aqsaqāl
Shākūn; Gharīb Muḥammad Ghārānī, the son of Ṣafar Muḥammad; muslims of
Shughnān.
Seal: No seal.
Size / Document number: 23.0 x 14.6 cm / Suchon 5

4. DeedLanguage: Persian.
Date: 9th Dhū al-ḥijja 1312 (3rd June 1895).
The certificate attests that Qandak, son of Ḥalāvat, has transferred ownership over theland specified in this document to Īshān Amīr ‘Alī Shāh, son of Āghā Muḥammad.
Witnesses: Aqsaqāl Mubārak Shāh Khandūd; Arbāb Tamāshāh; Dawrān Shāh Sust;
Naẓar bī; Arbāb Amān bīk Darang.
Seal: [...] (affixed twice).
Size / Document number: 21.0 x 10.5 cm / ZongA 23

65

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

5. DeedLanguage: Persian.
Date: 19th April 1896 (1st May 1896).
The document divides the land located in Pārshīniw Village between the two sonsof Muḥammad ‘Alī, Shāh Ṣabāī and Shāzāda Muḥammad Pārshīniwī. The land was
entrusted to Shāh Yūsuf ‘Alī khān 26 years before then and was inherited later by
his nephew, Shāzāda Muḥammad Tāj. Ground force captain Murav’iov, the head of
Shughnān village, allotted the land to the two heirs of the original land owner.
Witnesses: Ghulām Shāh; Ustā Niyāz Shamī; Raḥmat Shāh Farzī.
Seal: [...] Qāḍī Shāh Khumār.
Defects: The document is torn at the top right and the bottom.
Size / Document number: 22.0 x 18.0 cm / Porshinev 9

6. Deed<Side a>Language: Persian.
Date: Dhū al-ḥijja 1315 (April-May 1898).
The certificate recognizes the rights of Sayyid Mīrzā Ashraf Ūrāq and Sayyid Mursal
for ownership of the land located in Bāghīf.
Witnesses: Jūra bīk Qarāwulbīgī; ‘Azīz Khān Mīrākhūr; ‘Abd Allāh Qarāwulbīgī;
Sayyid ‘Izzat Shāh Ra’īs; Dawlat bīk Qarāwulbīgī; Khān-qul bīk Qarāwulbīgī;Muḥammad Yāqūb Qarāwulbīgī; Muḥammad Ghazan Qarāwulbīgī; ‘Azīz Muḥammad
Jībāchī Aqsaqāl; Qāḍī Muẓaffar.
Seal: [...].
<Side b>Language: Russian.
Date: 27th September 1913 (10th October 1913)
The Commander of the Pamir Detachment of the Joint Staff, ground force captainattached his signature approving the document in Khorog.
Seal: Pamirskii otriad.
Size / Document number: 38.8 x 15.8 cm / Suchon 16
66

VI. DEEDS

7. DeedLanguage: Persian.
Date: 1st Shawwāl 1323 (29th November 1905).
The document certifies that, by the order of the commander, one lot of land located in
Shughnān district has been granted to Īshān Sayyid Mursal, son of Īshān Mīrzā Ashraf.
Witnesses: ‘Azīz khān Mingbāshī; Muḥammad Dhalīl Aqa-saqāl; Zīnat Shāh Ra’īs;Murād Ḥusayn Aqa-saqāl; Ṣāḥib Naẓar; Karīm bāy; Muḥammad Ṣādiq; Bāy Naẓar
Kārwānbāshī; Muḥammad Ḥasan; Ghulām Nāṣir.
Below the text, there is a signature of a lieutenant colonel.
Yet below it, there is a signature of a witness, Muḥammad Ḥusayn bīk Jībāchī.
Seals: lā ilāha illā Allāh, Qāḍī [...] Sayyid [...] Shāh 13[...]; Pamirskii otriad;Muḥammad Ḥusaynbīk Jībāchī.
Size / Document number: 51.0 x 21.0 cm / Suchon 10

8. DeedLanguage: Persian.
Date: 24th Dhū al-ḥijja 1324 (8th February 1907).
The document certifies that Kirmān Shāh, son of ‘Ishrat Shāh, has exchanged one lot of
land in Khārūq for one camel.
Witnesses: ‘Azīz khān Mingbāshī; Muḥammad Dhalīl Aqsaqāl; ‘Āshūr Muḥammad;
Darwīsh; Dādkhudā; Amān bīk; Arbāb Dūshanba.
Seal: No seal.
Defects: The document is badly ripped at the borders, some letters are missing.
Size / Document number: 27.0 x 17.8 cm / Kharugh 1

9. DeedLanguage: Persian.
Date: 22nd Rabī‘ al-awwal 1327 (13th April 1909).
67

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

The document certifies that one gray horse has been purchased from Qadam, sonof Qul, through an intermediary of ‘Aysh-qulī, son of Nīyat Qābil, in exchange of 1
yāmbū and 1 packhorse and 1 cow.
The side b contains some text that probably was written by ‘Aysh-qulī, son of Nīyat
Qābil, the mediator of the deal, while practicing in writing his testimony.
Witnesses: Dūraq; Qara-qul; Shukr; Shāh Naẓar.
Seal: Qāḍī Muẓaffar Shāh ibn Qāḍī Muḥammad Shāh.
Size / Document number: 19.5 x 11.0 cm / Barvoz 3

10. Deed
Language: Persian.
Date: 2nd Rabī‘ al-thānī 1327 (23rd April 1909).
Some person named Ḥamīd sued Dihqān, son of Ṣanūbar, residing in Mīnvīd village
in the Shākhdara district, as Dihqān was cultivating the land that belonged to Ḥamīd.
Therefore, the commander ordered to return the land in question to Ḥamīd, which is
certified by this document. At the right side, there is an additional inscription statingthat the land cultivated by Rūzadār, son of Muḥammadyār, also belonged to Ḥamīd.
Witnesses: ‘Azīz khān Mingbāshī; Ghulām ‘Alī Talmāj Khārughī; Muḥammad Amīr
Khārughī.
Seal: Qāḍī Muẓaffar Shāh ibn Qāḍī Muḥammad Shāh.
Size / Document number: 22.0 x 18.0 cm / Barvoz 13

11. Deed<Side a>Language: Persian.
Date: 16th Rabī‘ al-ākhir 1328 (27th April 1910).
Regarding the land located in Langar-kīsh, it used to be recognized as the propertyof Maqbūl Shāh, son of Dāna; however, in just a year the ownership rights of ‘Ābid
Shāh, son of Badash, were also recognized. Because of this, the two appeared before
the commander of the Langar outpost and, having settled the matter with the mediation
68VI. DEEDS

of ‘Abd al-Raḥmān, Mīr Sarbaland ‘Alī Shāh, Mingbāshī Amān bīk, and aqsaqāls,
asked for division of the land in question, which was recognized and certified by thisdocument.
Witnesses: Sayyid ‘Abd al-Raḥmān; Mingbāshī Amān bīk; Mīr Sarbaland; Aqsaqāl
Gharīb Shāh; Aqsaqāl Qadam Shāh Shahḥarf; Wafā bīk Shahḥarf; the people of Langarkīsh.
Seals: Qāḍī Mullā Qadam Shāh; Sayyid Ghulām Luṭfī sī panjī aṣṣamī malik-i khūbīn-i
qawm-i Wakhān1327; Amān bīk Mīngbāshī; [...]; [...].
<Side b>Language: Russian.
Date: 12th April 1910 (25th April 1910)
The Commander of the Langar outpost of the Pamir Detachment, Cossack lieutenant
attached his signature, approving the document.
Seal: Nachal’nik Liangarskago posta, Pamirskago otriada.
Size / Document number: 25.5 x 21.5 cm / Langar 2

12. Deed<Side a>Language: Persian.
Date: 21st Rabī‘ al-ākhir 1329 (21st April 1911).
The certificate attests that, upon the complaint filed by Sayyid Muḥammad, son of‘Ābid Shāh, the commander has confiscated land from Maqbūl Shāh, son of Dāna, andallotted it to Sayyid Muḥammad.
Witnesses: Hazāra bīk, the son of Rustam; Tawakkul Shāh, the son of Mastān; Bīk
Dawlat, the son of Muruwwat; Malik Shāh, the son of Muruwwat; Muḥammad bīk, theson of Ṣaḥab.
Seal: Sayyid Ghulām Luṭfī sī panjī aṣṣamī malik-i khūbīn-i qawm-i Wakhān 1327.
<Side b>Language: Russian.
Date: 7th April 1910 (20th April 1910)
A resident of Liangar named Sed Mamad Abudllaev filed a complaint to thecommander of the Langar outpost alleging that another resident of Liangar named
Makbul Donaev deprived him of three lots of land. Based on the statements from other69

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

Liangar residents, the commander of the Langar outpost has ordered that these lands
should not be used by Makbul Donaev, which is certified by this document.
The document is signed by the commander of the Langar outpost.
Seal: Nachal’nik Liangarskago posta, Pamirskago otriada.
Size / Document number: 21.5 x 17.5 cm / Langar 3

13. Deed<Side a>Language: Persian.
Date: 21st Jumādā al-awwal 1330 (8th May 1912).
The document certifies that three lots of land located in Sījd village in Shākhdara havebeen divided between Gharīb Muḥammad, son of Salīm bīk, and ‘Abd al-Raḥīm, sonof Nawrūz.
Witnesses: Manṣūr, the son of Kirkis; Qadam Shāh, the son of Ghāzak; Ustā Dawlat,
the son of Qālak; Khusraw, the son of Raja bīk.
Kātib: Gharīb Muḥammad bīk.
Seal: Qāḍī Muẓaffar Shāh ibn Qāḍī Muḥammad Shāh.
<Side b>Language: Russian.
Date: 7th May 1912 (20th May 1912).
The Commander of the Pamir Detachment of the Joint Staff, ground force colonel
attached his signature approving the document, in Khorog.
Seal: Pamirskii otriad.
Size / Document number: 36.0 x 17.5 cm / Barvoz 4

14. Deed
Language: Persian.
Date: 12th Dhū al-ḥijja 1330 (22nd November 1912).
The document certifies that, through an intermediary of Nūr ‘Alī, a horse has beenrented from Khwāja Ghulām at the price of 55 ṣūms.
70

VI. DEEDS

There are verses written on the side b.
Witnesses: Muḥāmin-qul; Qurbān bīk; Imām Naẓar; Jum‘a Ghul Qirghiza.
Seal: No seal.
Size / Document number: 17.5 x 17.5 cm / Barvoz 5

15. Deed<Side a>Language: Persian.
Date: 15th Ramaḍān 1331 (18th August 1913).
This deed certifies that the commander of the Langar outpost of the Pamir Detachment
recognizes that the land located in Yamg villate in Wakhān within the borders indicatedin this document is the land inherited by Sayyid I‘tibār, son of ‘Alī Shāh, son of Manṣūr
Shāh, from his ancestors.
Witnesses: Ghulām Nabī, the son of Ghulām Muḥammad; ‘Abd Allāh, the son of
Mubārak-qadam; Kārwān, the son of Qadam; Kūchak Shā, the son of Ghulām Shā;Nūr Muḥammad, the son of Ilyās bīk; Āfiyat, the son of ‘Aẓamat Shā; Ibrāhīm, the sonof Rawshan; Shā Ṣafdar, the son of Khāja Ibrāhīm; Ḥusayn Shā Jān, the son of Khāja‘Abdal Ma‘ṣūm; ‘Abd al-‘Alī, the son of Muḥammad Amīn.
Seal: Qāḍī Mullā Qadam Shāh.
<Side b>Language: Russian.
Date: 10th September 1914 (23rd September 1914).
The Commander of the Pamir Detachment of the Joint Staff, ground force colonel
attached his signature approving the document, in Khorog. There is also an inscriptionof the name of Sayyid I‘tibār, son of Manṣūr Shāh, from Yamg village written in Arabic
letters and in Russian.
Seal: Pamirskii otriad.
Size / Document number: 33.0 x 13.5 cm / ZongB 1

71

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

16. Deed<Side a>Language: Persian.
Date: 26th Dhū al-qa‘da 1331 (27th October 1913).
This deed certifies that the commander of the Langar outpost of the Pamir Detachment
recognizes that the land located in Yamg villate in Wakhān within the borders indicatedin this document is the land inherited by Amīr ‘Alī Shāh, son of Āghā Muḥammad.
Witnesses: Karam ‘Alī Shā, the son of Langar; Shā khān, the son of ‘Āja Muḥammad;Maṣrūr Shā, the son of Āghā Muḥammad; Bāy Muḥammad, the son of Nawrūz;
Tamāshā, the son of Khān; Dawlat Muḥammad, the son of Bīk Muḥammad; ‘Ilyār
khan, the son of Ḥayāt khan; ‘Ayūz bīk, the son of Qāsim Shā; Salāmat, the son ofWalī khan; Gandum, the son of Najāt; Muḥammad, the son of Shā Naẓar; Shā Qurbān,
the son of Qanrīk; Shukr ‘Alī, the son of Ḥaydar; ‘Alāmat, the son of Jān Muḥammad
Khirad.
Seal: Qāḍī Mullā Qadam Shāh.
<Side b>Language: Russian.
Date: 12th December 1915 (25th December 1915).
The Commander of the Pamir Detachment, ground force colonel attached his signatureapproving the document, in Khorog. At the top, the name of Dyrchch Amir Ali Sho iswritten in Cyrillic letters.
Seal: Pamirskii otriad.
Size / Document number: 28.3 x 14.5 cm / ZongA 24

17. Deed
Language: Persian.
Date: 1331 (December 1912 – November 1913).
This is a memo on the investigation related to the complaint filed by Mu‘allimīn, aresident of Sarkīya in the Shākhdara region, regarding a commercial deal with Ḥakīm
bīk, son of Mīrzā Raḥīm. The document is executed by Īshān Qāḍī Muẓaffar and Mullā
Khwāja Naẓar.
72

VI. DEEDS

Seals: ‘Abd al-Raḥīm [...]; ‘Abd al-Raḥīm mīr [...].
Size / Document number: 16.0 x 12.4 cm / Barvoz 37

18. Deed
Language: Persian.
Date: 1332 (November 1913 – November 1914).
The certificate recognizes ownership rights of the sons of Shāmrūt, Malik Bār, Gul
Khwāja, Banda Shā and Ḥusayn, for the land they inherited in Andaj village, in the
Shākhdara region, within the borders indicated in this document.
The side b contains several verses written, at the end of which the year 1332 isindicated.
Witnesses: Khayr Allāh bīk; Mīrzā Ḥasan; Dawlat-qadam; Shāh Naẓar.
Seal: Qāḍī Muẓaffar Shāh ibn Qāḍī Muḥammad Shāh (affixed twice on the both sides).
Size / Document number: 16.5 x 13.5 cm / Barvoz 6

19. Deed
Language: Persian.
Date: 9th Jumādā al-thānī 1333 (24th April 1915).
The certificate recognizes ownership rights of the son of Mīrzā Shāh, Iḥsān Shāh, andhis brothers for the land located in Sanjīv village, in the Shākhdara region, within theborders indicated in this document.
There are verses written on the side b.
Witnesses: Ghāzī bīk, the son of ‘Āshūr Muḥammad; Khwāja Ghulām, the son of
Karam ‘Alī; Bārānī, the son of Ṣafar Muḥammad; Maḥmūd Shāh, the son of Shāh Dharbīk.
Seal: Qāḍī Muẓaffar Shāh ibn Qāḍī Muḥammad Shāh.
Size / Document number: 23.0 x 22.0 cm / Barvoz 8

73

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

20. Deed
Language: Persian.
Date: 25th Rajab 1333 (8th June 1915).
The certificate attests that Tuqta bāy, son of Naẓar bāy, from Jawshangāz village
promises to pay 55 ṣūms by the month of Tīr (June-July) as a payment for renting ahorse from Mīr Ḥātam bīk, son of Mīr Dawlat bīk. The document was executed byQāḍī Murāfiha ‘Alī.
Witnesses: Āzū-qul, the son of Shah Mīrak; Pahlawān, the son of Ḥalāwat; Bakhtyāwar
khān, the son of Darwīsh.
Seal: Qāḍī Muẓaffar Shāh ibn Qāḍī Muḥammad Shāh.
Size / Document number: 22.0 x 17.5 cm / Barvoz 7

21. Certificate
Language: Russian.
Date: 30th November 1915 (13th December 1915).
The certificate commends the accomplishments of Ishan Seid Karam Ali Sho
Liangagarov (sic.) and awards him with a khalat as a second degree of honor.
The document is signed in Tashkent by the Governor-General of Turkestan Martson.
Seal: Turkestanskii General-Gubernator.
Size / Document number: 35.5 x 22.2 cm / ZongA 31

22. Deed<Side a>Language: Persian.
Date: 8th Ramaḍān 1334 (9th July 1916).
The document certifies, that at the request of Ghāzī bīk, son of ‘Āshūr Muḥammad, theCommander of the Pamir Detachment has ordered ‘Azīz bīk Mīngbāshī to conduct aninvestigation and has recognized his rights for ownership of the land located in Shīmjīf
74

VI. DEEDS

village in the Shākhdara region.
Witnesses: Dawlat-qadam; Mīrzā Wafā; Shāh Naẓar; Qaracha bīk; Kūchak Shāh; QāḍīFattāh; Khalīfa Ṭayyib; Alif Shāh; Ḍumrat Shāh.
Seal: Qāḍī Muẓaffar Shāh ibn Qāḍī Muḥammad Shāh.
<Side b>Language: Russian.
Date: 22nd September 1917 (5th October 1917).
The Commander of the Pamir Detachment, ground force colonel attached his signatureapproving the document, in Khorog.
Seal: Pamirskii otriad.
Defects: The document is torn at the top right and the bottom.
Size / Document number: 28.7 x 22.1 cm / KhidorjevA 1

23. Deed<Side a>Language: Persian.
Date: 8th Ramaḍān 1334 (9th July 1916).
The document certifies, that at the request of Amān bīk, son of Dawrān bīk, theCommander of the Pamir Detachment has ordered ‘Azīz bīk Mīngbāshī to conduct aninvestigation and has recognized his rights for ownership of the land located in Tūsiyān
village in the Shākhdara region.
Witnesses: Dawlat-qadam; Kūchak Shāh; Qaracha bīk; Mīrzā Wafā; Qāḍī Faṭā; ShāhNaẓar; Qara Qān.
Seal: Qāḍī Muẓaffar Shāh ibn Qāḍī Muḥammad Shāh.
<Side b>Language: Russian.
Date: 9th September 1916 (22th September 1916).
The Commander of the Pamir Detachment, ground force colonel attached his signatureapproving the document, in Khorog.
Seal: Pamirskii otriad.
Size / Document number: 22.5 x 15.5 cm / Barvoz 10

75

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

24. Deed
Language: Persian.
Date: 10th Ramaḍān 1334 (11th July 1916).
The document certifies, that at the request of Zhīvdāj, son of Qālak, and his brothers,
the Commander of the Pamir Detachment has ordered ‘Azīz bīk Mīngbāshī to conduct
an investigation and has recognized Zhīvdāj’s rights for ownership of the amlāk land
located in Sīzhd village in the Shākhdara region.
The side b presents a personal letter addressed to the uncle on the paternal side.
Witnesses: Dawlat-qadam; Mīrzā Wafā; Kūchak Shāh; Qaracha bīk; Qāḍī Faṭā; ShāhNaẓar; ‘Abd Allāh; Mubārak-qadam; Manṣūr.
Seal: No seal.
Size / Document number: 25.7 x 15.5 cm / Barvoz 40

25. Deed<Side a>Language: Persian.
Date: 17th Ramaḍān 1334 (18th July 1916).
The document certifies, that at the request of Muḥammad Sharīf, son of Ḥātam,Alif bīk, son of Qandak, and Ḥātam, son of Bāqak, the Commander of the Pamir
Detachment has ordered ‘Azīz bīk Mīngbāshī to conduct an investigation and has
recognized their rights for ownership of their house located in the Shākhdara region.
Witnesses: Dawlat-qadam; Shāh Naẓar; Mīrzā Wafā; Kūchak Shāh; Qaracha bīk; QāḍīFaṭā; Ṭayyib bīk; Nūr Dīn.
Seal: Qāḍī Muẓaffar Shāh ibn Qāḍī Muḥammad Shāh.
<Side b>Language: Russian.
Date: 9th September 1916 (22nd September 1916).
The Commander of the Pamir Detachment, ground force colonel attached his signatureapproving the document, in Khorog.
Seal: Pamirskii otriad.
Size / Document number: 32.1 x 24.7 cm / Tawdem 1
76

VI. DEEDS

26. Deed<Side a>Language: Persian.
Date: 23rd Shawwāl 1334 (23rd August 1916).
The document certifies, that Tūtiyā, daughter of Qand, has sworn in the presence of‘Azīz bīk Mīngbāshī that she conceded her father’s house located in Tūsiyān village of
the Shākhdara region to Dhikr Allā and Nūr Allā, sons of Khayr Allā.
Witnesses: Dawlat-qadam; Mīrzā Wafā; Kūchak Shāh; Qaracha bīk; Qāḍī Faṭā; Shāh
Size / Document number: Naẓar; Ḥamīr Shāh.
Seal: Qāḍī Muẓaffar Shāh ibn Qāḍī Muḥammad Shāh.
<Side b>Language: Russian.
Date: 9th September 1916 (22nd September 1916).
The Commander of the Pamir Detachment, ground force colonel attached his signatureapproving the document, in Khorog.
Seal: Pamirskii otriad.
Size / Document number: 31.0 x 14.6 cm / Barvoz 9

27. Deed
Language: Persian.
Date: 28th Ramaḍān 1335 (18th July 1917).
This deed certifies that the head of Langar has approved the exchange made by Mu’minShāh, son of Ābit Shāh, of the land he inherited from his father in Langar for the landin Lakhsh within the borders indicated in this document. The document was executedby the qāḍī who affixed his seal.
Witnesses: Tawakkul Shāh, the son of Mastān; Sībat Shāh, the son of Yār bīk;Muḥammad Ghulām, the son of Taqī bāy.
Seals: Qāḍī Khwājam bīrdī; [...] Bīk Dawlat; Aqsaqāl Muḥammad; Aqsaqāl Khumārbīk; [...]; Post Liangarskii, Pamirskago otriada.
Size / Document number: 22.0 x 18.0 cm / Langar 6

77

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

28. Deed
Language: Persian.
Date: 8th Rabī‘ al-awwal 1336 (22nd December 1917).
By this document, Aqsaqāl Mu’min Shāh certifies that the people of Shīrgīn, Dīrch, andPanjgar have received money in payment for the goods they delivered in 1336, the Yearof the Snake.
Witnesses: <Side b> Sayyid Ṣābil Shāh; Shukr bīk Wrang; Sayyid ‘Imrān.
Seals: There are several very unclear seal impressions and thumbprints of 17 persons.
Defects: The bottom left part of the document is damaged.
Size / Document number: 22.0 x 17.2 cm / Langar 4

29. Deed
Language: Persian.
Date: 14th Sha‘bān 1336 (25th May 1918).
This deed allots the land in Jawshangāz village that has no inheritors to Nawrūz, son ofṢafar Muḥammad.
Seals: Karīm bāy [...], 1335; Shāh [...]; Shah Jalāl [...] 133[...].
Size / Document number: 7.7 x 17.5 cm / Barvoz 11

30. Deed
Language: Persian.
Date: 14th Sha‘bān 1336 (25th May 1918).
This deed allots the land in Jawshangāz village that has no inheritors to Ḥujjat khān,
son of Jān-qul bīk.
Seals: Karīm bāy [...], 1335; Shāh Naẓar [...]; Shah Jalāl [...] 133[...].
Size / Document number: 9.5 x 17.6 cm / Barvoz 12

78

VI. DEEDS

31. Deed
Language: Persian.
Date: 19th Sha‘bān 1336 (30th May 1918).
This deed allots the land in Sīzh village and Chandan village of the Shākhdara region
that has no inheritors to Balik bīk, son of Raḥīm bīk.
Witnesses: Qurbān Muḥammad; ‘Abdāl; Shahbāz.
Seals: Shāh Naẓar [...]; Shah Jalāl [...] 133[...]; Karīm bāy [...], 1335.
Size / Document number: 17.5 x 11.0 cm / Barvoz 19

32. Deed<Side a>Language: Persian.
Date: 20th Muḥarram 1337 (26th October 1918).
The document states that Ḥamīd Nawrūz, Ṣanūbar ’s son Ghulām ‘Alī andMuḥammadyār’s son Khudāyār requested that the forests that have no inheritors inBarwāz village of the Shākhdara region be allotted to Dīvlākhcha, son of Ramaḍānī,but certifies that they don’t have any rights for that.
Witnesses: Qurbān Shāh; Ustā Shīrīn Shāh; Fidā ‘Alī.
Seal: Qāḍī Rustam Shāh ibn Qāḍī Muẓaffar Shāh.
<Side b>Language: Russian.
Date: 25th May 1919.
The head of district and Secretary attached their signatures approving the document, in
Khorog.
Seals: Pamirskii Voenno-Pogranichnyi Otriad; Qāḍī Shāh Naẓar bīk; Qāḍī Gurg ‘Alī;Qāḍī [...] bīk; Qāḍī Mullā Gharīb Muḥammad ibn Mullā Mubārak-qadam; Qāḍī; [...].
Defects: The top right and the bottom right edges of the document are torn off
Size / Document number: 22.0 x 18.0 cm / Barvoz 14

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DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

33. Deed
Language: Persian.
Date: 19th Rabī‘ al-awwal 1337 (23rd December 1918) / 22nd December 1918.
By this document, Aqsaqāl Mu’min Shāh certifies that residents of Langar havereceived payment for the goods.
There are thumbprints of 28 persons.
Witnesses: Mashrab; Azār bīk; Naṣr Shāh; Maqbūl Shāh; Mullā Kūchak Shāh.
Defects: The bottom right part of the document is torn off.
Size / Document number: 21.0 x 25.5 cm / Langar 7

34. Deed
Language: Persian.
Date: 16th Rabī‘ al-thānī 1337 (19th January 1919) / 18th January 1919.
This document regulates the terms of reconciliation between the qirghīḍ residents ofPāmīr and afghān residents of Zībāk after a conflict in the environs of Langar village.
Witnesses: <Side a> Qirghīḍ Jum‘a bāy; Qirghīḍ Bīzāq; Mihrūz bāy Qirghīḍ; Tājīk
Rustam. <Side b> Qirghīḍ Tarsīm bāy; Qirghīḍ Nāyib Yāqūt; Sayyid Muḥammad;
Tālib Shāh, Amīr Mu‘aẓẓam; Ṣafar Muḥammad; Sayyid Allāh.
Seals: <Side b> Sayyid Muḥammad; [...]. There are also several thumbprints. Below
them, there is an inscription of approval written in Russian and an unclear seal
impression.
Size / Document number: 17.2 x 22.0 cm / Langar 5

35. Deed
Language: Russian.
Date: 10th April 1919.
This document issued by the Langar outpost notifies Mumensho Abdullaev that it was
decided that he can receive 135 roubles from the treasury.
80VI. DEEDS

Stamp: Nachal’nik Posta Liangarskago, Pamirskago otriada.
Seal: Nachal’nik posta Liangarskago, Pamirskago otriada.
Size / Document number: 11.0 x 18.0 cm / Langar 13

36. Deed<Side a>Language: Persian.
Date: 18th Rajab 1337 (19th April 1919).
This deed allots the land that has no inheritors in Jawshangāz village of the Shākhdara
region, in accordance with the order from the Commander of the Pamir Detachment, toNawrūz bīk, son of Ṣafar Muḥammad.
Witnesses: Yār Muḥammad; Shāh Mīrzā; Khwāja Naẓar.
Seal: Qāḍī Rustam Shāh ibn Qāḍī Muẓaffar Shāh.
<Side b>Language: Russian.
Date: 26th May 1919.
The head of district and Secretary attached their signatures approving the document, in
Khorog.
Seal: Pamirskii Voenno-Pogranichnyi Otriad.
Size / Document number: 22.3 x 17.5 cm / Barvoz 17

37. Deed
Language: Persian.
Date: 15th Ramaḍān 1337 (14th June 1919) / 13th June 1919.
The document presents a memo on cow purchase prices. In case the army takes only themeat of butchered cows and returns the skins to the cattle owners, the purchase priceset by the committee is 12 ṣūms until the month of Ramaḍān, and 11 ṣūms afterwards.
Seals: [...]; Aqsaqāl [...]; Aqsaqāl [...]; [...]; Aqsaqāl Muḥammad Sanjī; as well as
thumbprints of Nāṣir khān and Naẓar Muḥammad.
Defects: The document is torn at the top right and bottom left.
81

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

Size / Document number: 14.8 x 22.0 cm / Langar 8

38. Deed
Language: Persian.
Date: 12th Dhū al-qa‘da 1337 / (9th) August 1919.
The document presents a border crossing permit notifying Russian officials that thecommander (kumandīr) of Langar has permitted Aqsaqāl Mu’min Shāh together with 4other persons accompanying him to cross the state border of Pāmīr at Chādbar-tāsh.
Seal: Nachal’nik posta Liangarskago, Pamirskago otriada.
Size / Document number: 11.0 x 17.5 cm / Langar 10

39. Deed
Language: Persian.
Date: 1st Dhū al-ḥijja 1337 (28th August 1919) / 26th August 1919.
The document states that, because Aqsaqāl Mu’min Shāh, son of ‘Ābit Shāh, lost hisseal on August 26, 1337 AH /1919 AD, this seal is invalid afterwards.
Seals: Nachal’nik posta Liangarskago, Pamirskago otriada; [...].
Size / Document number: 11.2 x 17.7 cm / Langar 9

40. Deed
Language: Persian.
Date: 1st Rajab 1338 (21st March 1920).
The document lists up property items left by a deceased person to his underagedaughters so that the items don’t get lost or stolen. The document states that presently 1
pan, 1 yak (khash-gāw), etc., are entrusted to Nayab Shāh, son of Fayḍ Allā; 64 animals
and 1 yak are entrusted to Gul Muḥammad and his wife.
Witnesses: Raḥmat Allāh; Shā Dawlat; Muḥammad ‘Aẓīm.
82

VI. DEEDS

Seal: Qāḍī Mullā Rustam Shāh.
Size / Document number: 17.5 x 12.0 cm / Barvoz 15

41. Deed
Language: Persian.
Date: 20th Rabī‘ al-ākhir 1339 (1st January 1921) / 1920.
The document presents a border crossing permit notifying Afghanistan officials thatthe commander of the Langar outpost in the Wakhan region (nachalnik-i bandargāh-i
Langar-i Wakhān) has permitted Mu’min Shāh together with 2 other persons
accompanying him to cross the state border of Pāmīr at Ḍūr Qul.
Seal: Otd. Turk. Divi. pogr. okhr. Post No.7 Pogranich. polka.
Size / Document number: 10.5 x 13.7 cm / Langar 15

42. Deed
Language: Persian.
Date: 14th Muḥarram 1340 (17th September 1921) / 16th September 1921.
The document presents a border crossing permit notifying Afghanistan officials that
Mu’min Shāh, son of ‘Ābit Shāh, together with 1 other person accompanying him havebeen permitted to cross the state border.
Seal: [...].
Size / Document number: 10.4 x 17.4 cm / Langar 14

43. Deed
Language: Russian.
Date: 31st May 1922.
The document presents a receipt issued to Muminsho, a member of the revolutionary
committee of Liangar village, that confirms that the following items have been received
83

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

from him: a Berdan rifle with two cartridges and a ‘3-line’ rifle without cartridges.
Seal: [...].
Size / Document number: 10.3 x 22.0 cm / Langar 22

44. Deed
Language: Turkic.
Date: 4th Dhū al-ḥijja 1342 (7th July 1924).
In this document addressed to Mullā Rustam, son of Muẓaffar, Mullā Yūldāsh bāy, sonof Qāḍī Naẓar, from Jawshangāz village states that in the case there exist any debts on
the part of the residents of his village he will repay those debts.
The side b presents Ghulām Muḥammad’s complaint regarding a payment for packhorse transportation.
Witnesses: Khadīr ‘Alī, the son of Yūnus bāy; Mīrzā ‘Alī khan; Muḥammad Shīr ‘Alī
bīk
Kātib: Mullā Yūldāsh, the qāḍī of Jawshangāz.
Seal: No seal.
Size / Document number: 15.5 x 6.4 cm / Barvoz 29

45. Deed<Side a>Language: Persian.
Date: 1342 (August 1923 – August 1924).
This is a memo of a complaint regarding damage caused to the land in possession ofḤaqq Naẓar, son of Muruwwat, by Khūsh-qadam, son of Dawlat-qadam.
Seal: No seal.
<Side b>Language: Persian.
On the 12th day of the month of Dhū al-ḥijja, Muḥammad ‘Alī bīk Wakhī rented out 10
sheep to Mīrzā Qand. Qand had to go to Wakhān to give them back after harvesting thecrops. Ghulām Shāh Banda Shāṭlā was the witness to that.
84VI. DEEDSThe certificates states that on the 25 day of the month of Dhū al-ḥijja, Khūsh Naẓar andRajab bīk confirmed the damage caused to Ḥaqq Naẓar’s land. The text is scribbled in a
hasty manner.
Witnesses: Pādshāh Madhhab Qurbān; Muḥammad Qurbān bīk; Sulṭān Tābān.
Seal: No seal.
Size / Document number: 22.0 x 9.7 cm / Barvoz 35

46. Deed
Language: Persian.
Date: 1st Rabī‘ al-awwal.
This document certifies that the land located in a place called Bukhārā in Shākhdara
village of the Shughnān region has been transferred to Qiyā bīk, son of Muḥammad
Karīm.
Witnesses: Ṣafar Muḥammad, the son of ‘Āshūr Muḥammad; ‘Abd Raḥīm, the son of
Khūja Naẓar; Arbāb Khudā Naẓar, the son of Muḥammad Naẓar; Qurbān Muḥammad
the son of Ṣāḥib Naẓar.
Seal: Qāḍī Muẓaffar Shāh ibn Qāḍī Muḥammad Shāh.
Size / Document number: 14.8 x 13.5 cm / Barvoz 30

47. Deed
Language: Persian.
Date: 15th Ramaḍān.
This document certifies payment for the services provided by the officials (aqsaqāl
and kumītīt) of the Wakhān region to Mu’mīn Shāh. The document is written byMuḥammad Naẓar bīk.
Seals: At the bottom center, there are three unclear seal impressions and a thumbprintof Muḥammad Naẓar bīk.
Defects: A large part at the bottom left of the document is missing.
Size / Document number: 22.0 x 17.4 cm / Langar 20

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DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

48. Deed
Language: Persian.
Date: Non-dated.
The deed certifies transfer of land and a house with a yard to Īshān Qāḍī Muḥammad‘Azīz.
Witnesses: Raḥmat Allāh khan; Mirzā ‘Abdūl Ḥamīd; Nāqir Dīn and residents ofŪrshikam, Kūh-i Bahtān, Mahr-kulat.
Seal: Sulaymān Shāh [...] Shāhī [...] az Faḍl-i Alṭāf-i Ilāhī 1239.
Size / Document number: 12.5 x 14.5 cm / ZongB 2

49. Deed
Language: Persian.
Date: Non-dated.
The document presents an appeal letter addressed to the head of the Housing Councilof Shughnān from Āta khan Amān Shāhzāda, a resident of Ghund of the Shughnānregion regarding water shortages.
The side b presents a certificate attesting that the head of the Housing Council of
Shughnān has received the appeal letter.
Seal: No seal.
Defects: A large part at the bottom of the document is missing.
Size / Document number: 15.7 x 11.3 cm / Porshinev 16

50. Deed
Language: Persian.
Date: Non-dated.
The deed certifies allotting land in Khārugh of the Shughnān region within the borders
indicated in the document to Īshān Sayyid Dilāvār Shāh ibn Sayyid Ḥukūmat Shāh who
returned there after having served as wazīr in Khanate of Khoqand (Wilāyat-i Khūqand)86VI. DEEDS

under Muḥammad Khudāyār.
Seal: No seal.
Defects: The document is ripped at the borders, some letters at the bottom are missing.
Size / Document number: 25.2 x 13.3 cm / Kharugh 3

51. Deed
Language: Russian.
Date: Non-dated.
The document presents the decision of the meeting of the Rural Council of the Wakhan
region held on May 13th on the problem that meat deliveries have stopped because thedelivery man went missing 4 days ago. In accordance with the Council’s provisions,the Committee on Compulsory Expropriation of Cattle was established with theparticipation of Mnekin from the Outpost Council, Mamadbek (with Alimbek as hisaide) from the Rural Council, and Muminsho as its members. The Committee has
decided to limit consumption of meat to the standard volumes and prevent cattle fromover-eating grass in pastures. Heads, skins, legs, and liver were to be returned to thecattle owners.
On the side b, there is a signature of Kovalevskii and 5 names are indicated.
Seals: [...] Aqsaqāl; [...]; Khwājam-bīrdī Mīngbāshī; [...] Aqsaqāl; Muḥammad [...]
Aqsaqāl (affixed twice); as well as 4 thumbprints.
Defects: The document is ripped at the bottom.
Size / Document number: 18.5 x 17.0 cm / Langar 11

52. Deed
Language: Russian.
Date: Non-dated.
This is a receipt issued by the commander to Mominsho Abatshoev from Langar village
to certify that he has handed in a rifle, bullets, and cartridges.
Seal: [...].
Size / Document number: 11.5 x 21.5 cm / Langar 16
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DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

VII. Letters
1. Letter
Language: Persian.
Date: 1319 (April 1901 - April 1902).
A letter addressed to Qāḍī Muẓaffar and Aqsaqāl Khudāyār requesting to send socks
with Muḥammad Naẓīr.
Seal: No seal.
Defects: The document is torn at the top right.
Size / Document number: 16.0 x 12.0 cm / Barvoz 1

2. Letter
Language: Persian.
Date: 1328 (January 1910 - January 1911).
A letter Sayyid Ḥusayn sent to Aqsaqāl Murād Ḥusayn giving instructions to keep an
attentive eye on Ḥājjī Dūst Muḥammad.
On the side b, it is explained in what cases one is considered to be an infidel in Ismaili
Islam.
Seal: [...] Maḥmūd [...].
Size / Document number: 12.5 x 10.7 cm / Porshinev 14

3. Letter
Language: Persian.
Date: 16th Rabī‘ al-thānī 1333 (1st March 1915).
Sayyid Yūsuf ‘Alī Shāh addressed this letter to Mīr Muḥammad Raḥīm khāndemanding him to stop quarrelling with ‘Abd al-Ghiyāth khān.
On the side b, there are definitions of several special terms and verses written.
Seal: Sayyid Yūsuf ‘Alī Shāh ibn Sayyid Farrukh Shāh 1318.
Size / Document number: 21.0 x 13.5 cm / Suchon 1388

VII. LETTERS

4. Letter
Language: Persian.
Date: 12th Jumādā al-thānī 1335 (5th April 1917).
Residents of Ritk and Wardj villages addressed this letter to Ṣāḥib requesting him
to take a noble position in Langar in order to replace a deceased Ṣāḥib, and his son,Shams al-Dīn, to take the position previously occupied by the sons of the deceasedṢāḥib.
Seals: There are 9 unclear seal impressions and 6 thumbprints.
Defects: The document is torn at the bottom right.
Size / Document number: 33.7 x 21.0 cm / ZongA 30

5. Letter
Language: Persian.
Date: 17th Ṣafar 1338 (11th November 1919).
Mīr Muḥammad Raḥīm sent this letter to Īshān Qāḍī Rustam informing him that hewould dispatch someone with a donkey and a pannier and asking to send grain to him.
Seal: [...].
Size / Document number: 17.6 x 11.0 cm / Barvoz 16

6. Letter
Language: Persian.
Date: 7th Rabī‘ al-awwal 1338 (30th November 1919).
In this letter, militiamen (milīs) of the outpost demand from the head of the PamirShughnan Province (Wilāyat-i Pāmīr wa Shughnān) to pay them remuneration for their
3-month service in the Shākhdara region.
Seal: No seal.
Size / Document number: 14.0 x 10.8 cm / Barvoz 18

89

DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

7. Letter
Language: Persian.
Date: 10th Rabī‘ al-ākhir 1341 / (30th November) 1922.
Sayyid Nīr al-Dīn sent this letter from Hindūstān informing Khwāja Mu’min that hearrived at Gīlgit; that, having learnt that Āghā Khān (Sarkār Mawlānā) was going to
Bombay on the 12th, he departed to Hindūstān through Kashmīr; that Sayyid Yāqū ‘Alī
Shāh returned from Gilgit and stayed with Ashqaman at Urshgum.
On the side b, the words of an Ismaili prayer made after namāz are written.
Seal: No seal.
Size / Document number: 17.2 x 11.0 cm / Porshinev 11

8. Letter
Language: Persian.
Date: Non-dated.
The letter is addressed to Āq Qāḍī Muẓaffar. It states that some animals have fled, andinstructs him to go, together with Qabā bīk, son of Īrān Shāh, and capture them.
Seal: <Side b> Sayyid [...].
Defects: The document is torn at the top.
Size / Document number: 21.8 x 9.5 cm / Barvoz 31

9. Letter
Language: Persian.
Date: Non-dated.
This is a letter addressed to Mīr Sulṭān Shāh requesting to send one slave for MīrMuḥammad Murād bīk.
There are verses written on the side b.
Seal: No seal.
Size / Document number: 19.5 x 11.5 cm / Barvoz 38
90

VII. LETTERS

10. Letter
Language: Persian.
Date: Non-dated.
This is a letter from Mīrza Muḥammad Zamān addressed to Īshān Qāḍī Hamdam Shāhasking him to send as much money, attire, and grain as possible for the son’s reception
party (tūy).
On the side b, there are 2 verses and the signature of the person who wrote them.
Seal: No seal.
Size / Document number: 13.6 x 11.1 cm / Barvoz 33

11. Letter
Language: Persian.
Date: Non-dated.
A courtesy letter addressed to an uncle on the paternal side and his brothers, Fidā ‘Alī
and Qāḍī Muḥammad.
Seal: No seal.
Size / Document number: 11.3 x 8.5 cm / Barvoz 27

12. Letter
Language: Persian.
Date: Non-dated.
‘Azīz khān Mīrākhūr in this letter addressed to Īshān Qāḍī denies allotting land to Islāmbīk and Qirch.
Seal: Azīz khān Mīrākhūr, 1327(?).
Size / Document number: 16.7 x 11.0 cm / Barvoz 36

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DOCUMENTS FROM PRIVATE ARCHIVES IN RIGHT-BANK BADAKHSHAN (INTRODUCTION)

13. Letter
Language: Persian.
Date: Non-dated.
A letter from Mullā Shīr Muḥammad, Mullā ‘Alī and their sisters addressed to Mullā
Sayyidī expressing in metaphorical language their loyalty, respect, and a request for an
audience.
The side b presents a courtesy letter.
Seal: [...].
Size / Document number: 19.0 x 13.0 cm / Barvoz 34

14. Letter
Language: Persian.
Date: Non-dated.
Nawrūz Shāh, in this letter addressed to Shāh Sāḥib, it states that he will send throughMuḥammad Yūsuf a British-made saddle, one stirrup set, stirrups with leather belts,
a girth set, bridles and other horse harness fittings, as well as a jar of opium and otheritems that Shāh Sāḥib asked for, but that he will send the books on another occasion.
The side b presents a list of the sent items including scarves, combs, knives, etc.
Seal: No seal.
Size / Document number: 41.8 x 33.5 cm / Suchon 3

15. Letter
Language: Persian.
Date: Non-dated.
Residents of the mountainous (kūhistān) Badakhshān region addressed this letter toShāh Sāḥib to complain that Shāh Ḥusayn, son of Mukhī Sayyid Mursal’s uncle on thepaternal side, calls himself mukhī and oppresses people in the Yazgulām and Darwāzregions and ask to punish Shāh Ḥusayn and appoint Mukhī Sayyid Mursal as mukhī.
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VII. LETTERS

Seal: <Side b> Ghanī khan, 1328; Ghanī khān julūs [...]; [...] Qāḍī [...].
Size / Document number: 29.4 x 22.0 cm / Suchon 17

16. Sample letter (inshā’)
Language: Persian.
Date: Non-dated.
The document presents an example of how to write an amicable letter to one’s
superiors.
Seal: No seal.
Size / Document number: 21.0 x 14.5 cm / ZongA 28

17. Letter writing practiceLanguage: Persian.
Date: Non-dated.
Presents calligraphy practice with several samples of letters and verses.
Seal: No seal.
Size / Document number: 52.0 x 15.5 cm / ZongA 29

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I. DOCUMENTS RELATED TO ĀGHĀ KHĀNS

Simplified map of present-day Right-Bank Badakhshan

95