Important Indian Qur'an, copied in script verging on bihari,

Deccan, India, dated 1691 AD. . Single volume, illuminated manuscript on fine fibrous buff paper, in Arabic, complete, 495 leaves, 145 x 85 mm; single column, 14 lines black naskh script with characteristics of bihari, some vocalisation in red, surah headings in red thuluth against golf banners, illuminated head-pieces for the opening two surah, a further six illuminated head-pieces opening important divisions in the text, contemporary fihrist at the beginning, contemporary foliation and catch-words throughout, some leaves with small sections of text repaired, lightly browned and signs of oxidisation to outer margins of some leaves, signed typescript letter from the British Museum dated 1966 loosely inserted; near-contemporary leather boards with flap, backed in silk cloth, colour and designs faded on the outer edges of the binding but pastedowns showing a warm yellow cloth with horisontal stripes in vivid blue, extremities worn. 145 x 85mm (5¾ x 3¼ inches). Important Deccani Qur'an copied in a manner reminiscent of Qur'ans produced under Sultanate India. This is a charming and important example of an early Deccani Qur'an, copied in 1691, that features a script with striking similarities to the bihari script endorsed under the Sultanate Empire that dissolved over a century before the copying of this manuscirpt.