Abū l-Fażl Baihaqī

Abū l-Fażl-i Muḥammad b. Ḥussain-i Baihaqī (* 995/6; † 1077) was the author of a comprehensive historical work on the Ghaznavid period, Tārīḫ-i Baihaqī . As secretary ( dabīr ) at the court of the Ghaznavids (997–1186) he had extensive insight into the administrative and diplomatic processes of his time, which he reports in his work.

Career

Baihaqī was born in 995/6. He came from the town of Baihaq near Nishapur . Presumably his father was already working as dabīr at the court. This post was respected at the time and was often passed on within individual families. Otherwise nothing is known about Baihaqī's family.

Abū l-Fażl Baihaqī studied in Nishapur and entered the service of Maḥmūd of Ghazna around 1021 . At that time, Abū Naṣr Muškān was the chief of the Ghaznavids ( ṣāḥib-i divān ). Over a period of 19 years, Baihaqī worked with Abū Naṣr Muškān, who trained, encouraged and supported him for work in the law firm. When Abū Naṣr Muškān died in 1039, Baihaqī's position within the office changed. Actually, he should be appointed as the successor to Abū Naṣr Muškān, but was considered too young for this post. Instead, Abū Sahl Zauzanī was the new head of the clerkship , but Baihaqī did not have a good relationship with him. One possible reason for this is that Abu Sahl did not have a classical career as dabīr and was not considered capable enough by Baihaqī.

Despite these difficulties, Baihaqī remained in office. After he had risen to head of the clerkship during the reign of 'Abd-al-Rašīd (1049-52), he was arrested shortly afterwards. In addition, his property was confiscated. The reasons for this are unclear. However, it is believed that the main reason Baihaqī was imprisoned was the machinations of his enemies.

After 'Abd-al-Rašīd was murdered by a slave, Baihaqī's detention conditions initially deteriorated. However, he was then released and even returned to civil service. It is not entirely clear whether Baihaqī still served as dabīr under Sultan Farruḫzād (r. 1052–59) . Baihaqī devoted at least the last 20 years of his life to writing his history, during which time he no longer held any official posts. Baihaqī died in 1077.

Individual evidence

1. ^ ^{A b c d e} Waldman, Marilyn Robinson (1980): Toward a Theory of Historical Narrative - A Case Study in Perso-Islamicate Historiographie . Ohio State University Press, Columbus.
2. ↑ ^{a b c d} Yusofi, GH (1988): Baihaqi, Abu'l-Fazl. Encyclopaedia Iranica, accessed November 12, 2017 .