ON THE AUTHORSHIP OF THE PERSIAN QASID DEDICATED TO NAPOLEON

This article focuses on a Persian qasida consisting of 19 bayts (verses) praising Napoléon. Written in nasta’liq calligraphy, the manuscript is held in the catalog of Persian and Turkish manuscripts at the University Library of Languages and Civilizations in Paris. It is not signed or dated, and was established by Dr. Francis Richard in March 2014, for which we thank him. The qasida is organized into three rows: the first and second contain six bayts each, while the third contains seven. Although the title suggests that it primarily praises Napoleon, the content indicates that it equally concerns both Napoleon and Fath-Ali Shah, the king of Persia. This raises questions about the title, especially since the original has none. The first bayt identifies the territories of the two rulers: Napoleon as the West and Fath-Ali Shah as the East, both depicted as powerful figures. The text describes their strengths, diplomatic relations, and common enemies like Russia and England. Notably, Napoleon is compared to a fierce monster in relation to his Egyptian expedition, while Fath-Ali Shah is depicted as a lion, linking the Qajar dynasty to Persia’s former glory. The qasida portrays both rulers as "magnificent sovereigns" and "impartial judges," with Napoleon mentioned first. The work showcases rich metaphors typical of Oriental poetry, highlighting the author’s familiarity with Persian literature. To understand the authorship, we look at Franco-Persian diplomatic relations in the early 19th century. Jean-François Xavier Rousseau, the French consul in Baghdad, supported the idea of incorporating Persia into an expedition against India. At Napoleon’s request, Rousseau was to travel to Tehran as ambassador, with his son prepared to prove his linguistic abilities. The Rousseau family, settled in Persia since the early 18th century, contributed to this knowledge. Jacques Rousseau accompanied an embassy to Persia in 1705 and married there. His son Jean-François, fluent in multiple Eastern languages, had a deep appreciation for Persian literature. In 1802, he expressed pride in his son’s progress in Persian and Turkish, showcasing the family's dedication to mastering these languages.