Tarikh-i guzida


The Tarikh-i guzida, is a compendium of Islamic history from the creation of the world until 1329, written by Hamdallah Mustawfi and finished in 1330. It was written in a dry simple style and dedicated to Ghiyath al-Din Muhammad.

Content

The Tarikh-i guzida contains the history of the Islamic world, from the creation of the world up to 1329. The introduction includes the creation of the world followed by six sections;
  1. The prophets
  2. Persian Kings before Muhammad
  3. Muhammad and caliphs
  4. Persia and other lands ruled by Muslim dynasties
  5. Poets and scholars
  6. Region and history of Kazwin
Also mentioned is the Mongol invasion. Hamdallah produced a world map in the Tarikh-i guzida which contained meridians. Hamdallah declared the Afghans to be Israelites.

Modern era

The Tarikh-i guzida was very popular and numerous copies existed, of which many were found in European collections. It was partially translated into French in 1903 by Jules Gantin. E.G. Browne published a complete edition in 1910 and an abridged English version in 1913. In 1960, Abd al-Husayn Nava'i published a complete version of the Tarikh-i guzida.