First edition of Asar-al-Sanadid (1847)—henceforward referred to as Asar- consists of a substantial preface, followed by the main text in four chapters, illustrated with more than 100 sketches. Additionally, it contains four taqariz, or praising statements, by four of the most distinguished citizens of Delhi, who were considerably older than the author but who genuinely admired his youthful energy and intellect. Shri Syed Ahmad begins the book with a verse from ‘Urfi—The ornamentations still left on the ruined walls and gates are the remnant signs of Persia’s ancient heroes—that sets the tone of the book, and also provides its title. He then writes an old-fashioned preface, in which,after praising God and He declares that he had long- held a desire to write a book about ‘the buildings in and around Shahjahanabad, the Red Fort, and about the people of the city and their ways’, but was not allowed to do so by ‘the turning Heavens and cruel Time’. However, now that the book was done, he held a particular hope for it.. It's a unique source of edification and a witness to the world’s impermanence. A negligent person would read this book and gain in caution, while a wise man would read it and become wiser #yusufbhandarkar #digitalstrategy #digitalmedia
