| Author | Abu Nasr Muhammad ibn Muhammad al Jabbaru-l 'Utbi |
|---|---|
| Language | Arabic |
| Subject | history of the reigns ofSebuktigin and Mahmud |
TheTarikh i Yamini, orKitab i Yamini, written inArabic[1] in an embellished, flowery rhetorical rhymed prose,[2] is a history of the reigns ofSebuktigin and Mahmud.
Written by the historian Abu Nasr Muhammad ibn Muhammad al Jabbaru-l 'Utbi (oral-Utbi). His work comprises the whole of the reign ofSebuktigin, and part of that of Mahmud, down to the year 410 Hijra (1020 AD). The Tarikh Yamini also contains information chroniclingSultan Mahmud's expeditions as well as the end of theSamanid Empire.[3] Al-Utbi, being Mahmud's secretary, did not accompany the sultan, therefore his topography is deficient and his writing style consists of an explicit orthodox nature.[4] He also states that he intentionally suppressed many events, unnatural or strange that he found skeptical that did not fit the objectives he had set down in the preface.[5]
The Tarikh Yamini starts in 965 CE, but theSamanids are not mentioned untilNuh ibn Mansur's reign in 976,[5] while it goes into detail about theBuyids prior to 983.[5] During theQarakhanid invasion of the Samanid kingdom in 991, theTarikh Yamini states that the Samanid governor Fa'iq, son ofSimjurid Abu'l-Hasan Simjuri,[6] invited Hasan b. Sulayman{Bughra Khan} to invadeBukhara.[6]
Al-Utbi gives contradictory information owing to the names and number ofFarighunid rulers.[7] Specifically never naming,Abu'l Haret Muhammad, the second Farighunid ruler.[7]
Al-Utbi states whenSebuktigin defeatedJayapala in 988, the Afghans and Khaljis of the territory he conquered between Lamghan and Peshawar surrendered and agreed to serve him.[8] Iqtidar Husain Siddiqui citing the 13th century Persian translation, claims that Al-Utbi mentions the "Afghans" werepagans given to rapine and rapacity, they were defeated and converted to Islam.[9]
Though, plagued by incorrect dates and incorrect topography, theTarikh Yamini does contain valuable information concerning Sultan Mahmud's invasions of India.[10]
Pgn34 In Introduction: The Translator James Reynold (translating from Persian version of ArabicTarikh Yamini) states: He cannot find the word Somnath, or the story respecting the idol broken by Mahmud, although the expedition in which this event is alleged to have occurred, appears to be included in this Chronicle of Utbi.
Original Al-Utbi -Tarikh Yamini in Arabic is short book of 70 pages only. English version by James Reynold consist of 555 pages cannot be verbatim exact copy.
Hence, Abdul Sharaf of Jabardican who translated it to Persian added his own interpretation.
The 13th centuryPersian translation of the Tarikh i Yamini, by Jurbadqani, takes many liberties and introduces images not found in the original and can be considered an independent work of art; however, it is a fairly reliable copy of the narrative.[1]
TheTarikh i Yamini was translated from Persian into English in 1858 by James Reynolds under the title,Kitab-i-Yamini.[11]
