Amir Ali Shir Nawai and his Role in the Development of Historiography During the Reign of Sultan Hussian Bayqra

Abstract

With the arrival of Sultan Hussain Bayqra to power in Herat and his tendency towards culture and art development in this period, the city of Herat once again became the center of science, culture, literature and art. Islamic scholars, poets, writers and great historians gatered with the support of the kingdom and created great scientific,literary, artistic, cultural, and historical literatures and scripts. They also established various schools of literatures. One of the schools, which formed in this period, was Herat historiography School that was established with the support of AliShir Nawai and other prodigious historians. This school was a continuation of the historiographical movement of the Mongol, Ilkhanate and Timurid reigns, which promoted a new culture of historiography by following the traditional historiography. The flourishing of historiography of this period continued even after the end of Timorian, and had been delivered to Babrian of India and Safawayan of Iran. One of the historians of this school who was also the founder and supporter of this historical movement is Amir Ali Shir Nawai. His remaining historical works show his access to history and his interest in historiography. Nawai had a cultural and social view of history and in his approach to historiography, the integration between his literary and cultural mindset was more influential. Therefore, his books and and historical publications are significant and so important. His great historical library and his support for historians led to the development of the historiography in that period. The emergence of great historians such as Khawand Mir, Kashefi, Samarqandi and others in this period, and the creation of many historical works dedicated to him; all show his deep influence and role in the historiography of this period.