Author: PASHA, Ahmed Muhtar
Title: Riyaz ül-muhtar, mirat ül-mikat ve 'l-edvar.Cairo, Bulaq Matbaasi, 1303-1313 AH [= 1885-1896 CE]. 3 volumes bound as 1 (plates, text, and appendix). Large 4to (29.5 x 21 cm). Text in Ottoman Turkish, set in a naskh Arabic type, most pages in a thin-thick-thin-rule frame. With a separate title-page and 36 full-page, numbered plates (including 1 double-page) on 36 leaves at the beginning of the book and 1 folding plate at the end. Later elaborately gold- and blind-tooled brown calf, each board with a blind ornamental frame with corner pieces and a gold centre piece. Spine with the title in gold Arabic lettering in the 2nd of 6 compartments, the other 5 with blind ornaments and gold fillets on the 5 raised bands, marbled endpapers, red ribbon marker.
Description: [10], 378, [1 blank]; 58 pp.Rare second edition of a remarkable and richly illustrated work on modern astronomy and the calculation of time in the Islamic world, together with a very rare appendix (printed in 1304 AH [= 1886/87 CE]) including an additional folding plate. The author, Ahmed Muhtar Pasha (1839-1919), modernized the Islamic calculation of time by combining traditional Islamic knowledge of astronomy, astronomical instruments, and time-keeping with contemporary Western discoveries, consulting and citing sources written in Latin, French, German and English. In the course of the 19th century, military operations and the development of science and technology in the Middle East demanded a more accurate calculation of time, formerly used primarily for religious purposes.Ahmed Muhtar Pasha was an Ottoman scientist, author, military leader, diplomat and even Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire (in 1912), born in Bursa, in present-day Turkey. He attended, and later taught at, the Ottoman Military College, where he won praise for his intellect and his military prowess. He became a respected authority on military technology, astronomy and related subjects. He visited the West to learn about new scientific discoveries, which would help with his military modernization plans. Moreover, he also helped found the Darüssafaka Society (still active), a charity providing equal opportunities in education for underprivileged children.Ahmed Muhtar Pasha wrote many works on military and scientific subjects. An example of one of his other influential scientific works is Islahü't-takvim (published in 1307 AH [= 1890 CE]) advocating for the implementation of a uniform Islamic calendar, similar to the Gregorian calendar in the West, in order to improve connections between Middle Eastern countries.With an owner's inscription in black ink on the title-page of the plates-volume: "F.A. Kat[...?]". The folds of the quires are slightly weak, but without affecting the overall integrity of the binding; occasional foxing, mainly to the outer leaves. Otherwise in good condition.l WorldCat (11 copies, ed. unclear, without appendix); not in Aboussouan; Attabey; Blackmer.

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