The al-Khanji Archive

The al-Khanji Archive, documenting the influential role of the Syrian-Egyptian al-Khanji family in the Arabic manuscript trade and publishing in the early 20th century, is a unique resource for manuscript studies, print history, and intellectual networks. Acquired by the American University in Cairo through collaboration with five North American institutions (besides the IAS, Princeton University Library, the University of Michigan Library, New York University Library, and the College of Charleston), the archive contains thousands of documents, including letters, correspondence with prominent scholars, and business records detailing the family’s pivotal involvement in the translocation of Arabic manuscripts to major libraries in Europe and North America. This archive offers unprecedented insights into manuscript provenance, the publishing landscape, and the intellectual exchange between the Arab world and the West during this period.

The project will involve a series of activities, starting with a one-week workshop in Cairo in January 2025 to examine and digitize prioritized portions of the archive. Over the next year, an inventory of Khanji’s publications will be prepared, alongside an analysis of his editorial practices, culminating in a scholarly volume to be published at the American University of Cairo press. Additionally, the project will create a digital portal to support future research, including a crowdsourced database of Khanji manuscripts. Collaborative conferences and workshops will engage scholars in advancing the study of this rich archive, contributing to a deeper understanding of the cultural and intellectual history of the Arab world in the early 20th century.

Principal Investigators:

Sabine Schmidtke, School of Historical Studies
Garrett Davidson, College of Charleston
Rana Mikati, College of Charleston