4. ASTROLABE, NOT SIGNED, NOT DATED

             This is a small and neatly produced astrolabe with a diameter of 145 mm and thickness of 4 mm. The kursi is plain. It has a horizontal slit, the purpose of which is not known. It is suspended by a rather large ring to a wooden stand. This wooden stand may not be original. There are only two plates serving the latitude 27⁰ (Agra), 29⁰ (Delhi) and 32⁰ (Lahore). The fourth side has multiple horizons. There is no geographical gazetteer. The ‘Ankabut is simple but elegant with just 23 leaf-shaped star pointers.

        This ‘Ankabut closely resembles that of an astrolabe made by Muhammad Salih of Thatta in 1704/1663, which is now at the Prince of Wales Museum, Mumbai. Therefore, the present one also can be attributed to Muhammad Salih, who was a noted instrument-maker of the 17^th century. He did not belong to the Lahore family as can be seen in the style of production.