Folio 246 (text, recto and verso), from a manuscript of the Divan of Anvari 1588

Curator: This folio, attributed to Nanha, comes from a manuscript of the Divan of Anvari, although the exact date of its creation remains unknown. Editor: It feels so intimate, doesn't it? The aged paper, the compact size – only about 13 by 8 centimeters, a private world of text. Curator: Indeed. Such manuscripts played a key role in cultural and intellectual life, circulating poetry and ideas within elite circles. Consider how access to such beautifully rendered texts shaped identity and reinforced social hierarchies. Editor: You’re right. The text itself would have been understood differently by various readers, depending on their social standing and education. It's a potent reminder of how knowledge is power. Curator: And the placement within Harvard's collection now continues to shape how it is regarded. Editor: Absolutely. I'm left thinking about the power of words, both written and spoken, to affect social change.