Module 1: History and foundations · Lesson 2 of 74 · 3 min
The books
Lal Kitab is a series of five books published in Urdu in Punjab between 1939 and 1952. They are generally attributed to Pandit Roop Chand Joshi of Phillaur, though they appeared under a relative's name. The editions are usually known by their years:
| Year | Commonly known as |
|---|---|
| 1939 | Lal Kitab ke Farman (the edicts of Lal Kitab) |
| 1940 | Ilm-e-Samudrik ki Lal Kitab ke Arman |
| 1941 | Gutka (the third part) |
| 1942 | Ilm-e-Samudrik ki Lal Kitab |
| 1952 | Lal Kitab (the final, most complete edition) |
The title Ilm-e-Samudrik shows that the books combine astrology with palmistry and physiognomy (samudrik shastra). Many practitioners say the 1952 edition is the authoritative one.