Sambodhi 1998 Vol 22

Author(s): Jitendra B Shah, N M Kansara
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 47

SEAL OF ZAHID SHÄHA
Z. A Desal
There are in all twenty two seals imprinted on the leaf, of which fourteen ar square and eight octagonal in shape While both the seals are identical in tha they belong to the same person, they differ in their legends to the extent tha the one on the square seals contains the name and designation of the perso in whose name the seal is made as well as the date, but the legend on th octagonal seals in addition contains the name of the father, omitting, howeve the date, as will be clear from their readings quoted hereunder
A Square Seal
Zahid Shāh
Khalifa al Qadiri a'r-Rifa'i
.
1201 (H)
"Zahid Shah, spiritual head (Khalifa, hit Successor) of the Qadiri (and) the Rifa (orders) 1201 H (24 October 1786 12 October 1787 A D)"
B Octagonal Seal
Zahid Shah bin Lal Shah
Khalifa al-Qadira war-Rifat
"Zahid Shāh son of Lal Shah, Spiritual Head (Khalifa, lit Successor) of the Qadiri and the Rifai (orders) "
The purpose of putting a number of two identical seals of the same person or a leaf is not clear Separate legends of the two seals of the same person is no unusual in the case of officials or noblemen who would have a fresh sea prepared with a different legend consequent upon change of designation appointment to a new post, or promotion in the year of the event of that occurrence In the case of other persons, that is not usually the case Therefore it is difficult firstly to explain fully or quite satisfactorily two seals of his anc also the fact that these were put a number of times on the same sheet of paper Then again, one seal has name of the owner of the seal without the father's name, but without the date write the other, his name along with the date One