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"ABDURAZZOQ SAMARQANDIY’S ‘MATLA’ US-SA’DAYN WA
MAJMA UL-BAHRAYN’: A SIGNIFICANT SOURCE OF
HISTORIOGRAPHY IN THE TIMURID ERA OF THE 15TH CENTURY"
Ma’murova Sarviniso Kamoliddin qizi
Fergana State University, Faculty of History
Student of the 23-71 group, History Department
e-mail: @sarvinisoma’murova
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15796606
Abstract
This article analyzes the historical and source-critical importance
of
Matla’ us-sa’dayn wa majma ul-bahrayn
, written by the prominent 15th-
century Timurid historian Abdurazzoq Samarqandiy (1413–1482). The work is
considered a key source for studying the development of the Timurid Empire, its
political events, and cultural life. The study explores the structure, content,
manuscript copies, and its relevance in modern academic research.
Keywords:
Abdurazzoq Samarqandiy,
Matla’ us-sa’dayn
, Timurid era, 15th-
century historiography, manuscript copies, source studies
Introduction
The 15th-century work
Matla’ us-sa’dayn wa majma ul-
bahrayn
holds a prominent place in Central Asian historiography and is
regarded as one of the most important historical sources on the Timurid period.
Its author, Kamoliddin Abdurazzoq ibn Jaloliddin Is’hoq Samarqandiy, was not
only a historian but also a renowned diplomat and statesman of his time.
Written between 1441–1442, this two-volume work provides a detailed account
of the Timurid Empire’s political, social, and cultural life. Today, the importance
of this work in historiography is steadily growing. Serving as a foundational
source for studying the Timurid era,
Matla’ us-sa’dayn
is extensively researched
both locally and internationally. Over 20 manuscript copies of the work are
preserved in libraries around the world.
Literature Review and Methods
Research on Abdurazzoq Samarqandiy
and his work has been ongoing since the early 20th century. V.V. Bartold, in his
History of Cultural Life in Central Asia
, highly praised Samarqandiy’s
historiographical contributions. Later, foreign scholars like J.A. Boyle and L.
Golombek highlighted the work’s value in studying the culture and art of the
Timurid era. In Uzbekistan, A. O‘rinboyev played a pivotal role by translating the
second part of the work into Uzbek and publishing it in 1960, 1969, and 2008.
R.A. Arslonzoda, in his
Source Studies
, emphasized the significance of
Matla’ us-
sa’dayn
from a source-critical perspective.
In Kazakhstan, the work also holds
great value. Kazakh historians such as B.E. Kumekov, K.M. Baypakov, and Z.S.
Kinayatuly have used it to explore the history of the Kipchak steppes and Kazakh
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khanates. Q.A. Pishulina, in her book
Historical Geography of the Kazakh Khanate
,
analyzes Abdurazzoq Samarqandiy’s information about the Kipchak steppes and
Kazakh tribes. Modern Kazakh historians like M.H. Abuseitova and A.T.
Toleubaev also utilize the work as a vital source for understanding the political
processes in 14th–15th century Kazakhstan.
The methods used in this study include:
Historical-comparative analysis
Source criticism
Textual analysis
Bibliographical review
Discussion and Results
Abdurazzoq Samarqandiy’s Life and Scholarly
Activities Kamoliddin Abdurazzoq ibn Jaloliddin Is’hoq Samarqandiy was born
in 1413 in Herat into a noble and influential family. His father served as a
religious judge (qoziskar) under Shahrukh’s reign. Abdurazzoq received a high-
quality education in history, Islamic law, and religious sciences. In 1438, he
began serving in Shahrukh’s court, organizing diplomatic correspondence and
receiving foreign envoys. He himself was sent as Shahrukh’s ambassador to
various countries. His most significant mission was to Calicut in 1441 to the
court of Raja Vijayanagar. He lived there for over two years and returned to
Herat in December 1444.
Structure and Content of
Matla’ us-sa’dayn wa majma ul-bahrayn
The title translates to “The Rise of the Two Fortunate Stars and the Confluence
of the Two Seas.” The work is divided into two volumes:
The first volume covers the Timurid era, particularly the life of Amir
Temur and his sons. It provides detailed information about the empire created
by Temur and its political, social, and military achievements.
The second volume discusses the reign of Shahrukh and Ulugh Beg,
including political developments, governance, and cultural life. It highlights
Ulugh Beg’s contributions to science, astronomy, and culture.
The work is written in Persian in a prose style using the
nastaʿlīq
script,
with gold and blue marginal decorations. The manuscript contains 286 pages,
covering events from 1316 to 1427. Today, manuscript copies are preserved in
more than 20 countries. Major copies are found in:
The British Museum (London)
National Library of France (Paris)
Institute of Oriental Studies of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan
(Tashkent)
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National Library of Iran
Libraries in Austria, Germany, and Russia
A critical edition of the text was published in Lahore by Pakistani scholar
Muhammad Shafi in 1941 and 1949. Parts of the text have been translated into
French, English, Russian, and Turkish. Currently,
Matla’ us-sa’dayn
is being
actively studied by historians, orientalists, and researchers of the Timurid era. In
recent years, it has become a central subject of international academic research.
Scholars frequently analyze it and publish new studies and translations.
Conclusion
Matla’ us-sa’dayn wa majma ul-bahrayn
remains a unique and
invaluable source for understanding the historiography of the 15th-century
Timurid era. Through his work, Abdurazzoq Samarqandiy not only recorded
historical events but also provided a comprehensive depiction of the political,
social, and cultural life of his time. The numerous manuscript copies and
continued scholarly attention confirm the enduring academic value of the work.
Its significance lies in its reliability as a primary source, detailed chronology of
events, and the author’s diplomatic background. In contemporary Timurid
studies,
Matla’ us-sa’dayn
continues to serve as a foundational resource.
Foydalanilgan adabiyotlar:/ references:
1.
Arslonzoda R.A. Manbashunoslik: Farg‘ona: Classic, 2022. B. 198-199./
Arslonzoda, R.A. Source Studies. Fergana: Classic, 2022, pp. 198–199.
2.
Abdurazzoq Samarqandiy. Matla’ as-sa’dayn va majma’ al-bahrayn B. 200./
Abdurazzoq Samarqandiy. Matla' as-Sa'dayn wa Majma' al-Bahrayn, p. 200.
3.
Arslonzoda R.A. Manbashunoslik: Farg‘ona: Classic, 2022. B. 201./
Arslonzoda, R.A. Source Studies. Fergana: Classic, 2022, p. 201.
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Пишулина, Қ.А. Қазақ хандығының тарихи географиясы. Алматы:
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Б. 134-1366. Әбусейітова, М.Х., Төлеубаев, А.Т. Қазақ хандығының
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History and Culture of the Timurid Period. Tashkent: Sharq Publishing, 1997, pp.
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