consists of translations by a Persian Jew, Sarmad Kashani, and his Hindu disciple from Sindh. Walter Fischel notes: An English version of the Dabistan by David Shea (1843) is available at the Digital Library of India IISc. Outline The text is divided into twelve ta‘lims (chapters): Chapter I. Religious traditions of the Persian. Sipásíán, Jemsháspián, Samrádíán, Khodáníán, Rádían, Shídrangíán, Pykeríán, Miláníán, Aláríán, Shídábíán, Akhshíán, Zerdushtián (Zoroastrian), Mazdakíán. Chapter II. Hindus. Smártí (Smarta Tradition), Vedanta Sankhya, Jogís (Yoga), Saktíán (Shakta), Vishnú (Vishnu), Chárvákián, Tárkikán, Búdah (actually Jain), and several new sects including Sanyási, Avaduta, Jangama, Sufi-Hindus (Madárían, Jelalían, Kakan), Yógi, Narayaní (Gosáin Haridas), Dadu Panthi, Píára panthi, Gosáin Jáni, Surya-makhan, Chandra bhakta, Pavana bhakta, Jala bhakta, Prithivi bhakta (earth worshippers), Manushya bhakta (humanists), Nanak-Panthi (Sikh). Chapter III. Kera Tabitian (Tibetan Buddhism), as learned from unsatisfactory translation. Chapter IV. Yahuds (Jews), as learned from Sufi Sarmad Kashani, who was born a Jew and described himself as neither Jewish nor Muslim nor Hindu. Chapter V. Tarsa (Christians). Chapter VI. Muhammedans (Muslims). Sonnites (Sunni), Shíâhs (Shia), Akhbárin, Ismâiliah (Ismaili), Ali Ilahian. Chapter VII. Sádakíah, founded by Musaylima, a contemporary of Muhammad. Chapter VIII. Váhadiáh (Unitarians), a central Asian religion founded by Váhed Mahmúd. Chapter IX. Rósheníán (Roshanniya), a central Asian religion founded by Pir Roshan. Chapter X. Ilahíah (Din-e-Ilahi). Chapter XI. Wise (Philosophers who studied the Hellenic tradition) Chapter XII. Súfíah (Sufis). Chapter II includes one of the earliest historical account of the Sikhs. References External links Translation by Shea and Troyer at the Packard Humanities Institute, also at The Dabestan-e Madaheb, or 'School of religious doctrines' Copies of the text in the Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library Persian-language literature History of religion in India History of religion in Pakistan 1655 books Religious studies Zoroastrian mysticism 17th-century Indian books Indian religious texts