Taboo

Khān, Tabū Ṭālib = Mirza Abu Taleb Khan 1(752-1806?); Charles Stewart (Translator 1764-1837)Biblio.com

The travels of Mirza Abu Taleb Khan in Asia Africa and Europe : during the years 1799 1800 1801 1802 and 1803 / written by himself in the Persian language : translated by Charles Stewart . Second edition.

ref. 51-5961London: Printed by R. Watts and sold by Longman Hurst Rees Orme and Brown Broxbourne 1814. Small 8vo. 10.5 x 18.5cm. 3 vols. 312 306 283pp. Portrait engraving in vol.1. Modern half morocco with leather labels. Bookseller etiquette: Thorold's Africana Books Johannesburg. Translation of the author's Maʻāsir-i Ṭālibī: Abū Ṭālib ibn Muḥammad Iṣfahānī 1752-1806.OCLC Number / Unique Identifier:7903266.The Persian title of the book is a play on words employing talib - one who wishes - to contrast with Taleb and connote "Taleb/Talib’s trajectory" or "the path of wishfulness" or "the path of aspiration" and which encompasses the book's dual functions as travel guide and as a discussion of the spiritual purpose of travelling. Taleb sets out his purpose in writing the book in its preface: to describe for the benefit of his countrymen the 'curiosities and wonders he saw' noting that many of the 'customs inventions sciences and ordinances of Europe' might be used to good effect in Asia. To this end the book both chronicles his travels but also provides discrete chapters on subject-matter of interest to him including "the arts and sciences mechanical inventions the lifestyles of the different classes the system of government the East India Company the judiciary the financial system the defects of character and the virtues of the English .on Europe and England's conflict with France and . on England's overseas conquests." Amrit Sen has discussed issues of autoethnography arising in Khan's work noting the tension between his admiration for and criticism of the west; and his use of the coloniser's language both to identify with Europeans but also critique them; this leading to ambiguity about Khan's "oriental" persona. He is fascinated by western engineering factories bridges and shipyards and understands the link between Europe's prosperity and its industrial revolution. He praises the industry and efficiency of English people and their honor and relative learning. Equally he critiques the English lack of faith and a range of deplorable characteristics such as their pride insolence and excessive fondness for luxury. Sen asserts that it is possible to read Abu Taleb's book as a series of comparisons praising the virtues of the east above the west: "the Muslims of Cape Town are kind and superior; the savages of Andaman are preferable to his European shipmates; Oxford is almost like the ancient Indian temples; the Quazis are superior to the English jury system – which is frightening and often prone to mistakes . Abu Taleb praises the English 'equality of all' before the law and yet proceeds to suggest that this 'equality is more in appearance than in reality'. He attacks the British legal system as corrupt and convoluted." London: Printed by R. Watts, and sold by Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, Broxbourne, 1814 hardcover

Alan Wofsy Fine Arts · United States$1,250.00≈ €1,116.77

Taboo

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