(1476, Herat – 1535, Mandu)

Historian, writer, poet, politician

 

Biography

 

Khandamir, Mirhond’s grandson, was born in 1475 in Heart the capital of the Temurid’s state (Afghanistan). He was raised in the family of a well-educated man – Khoja Humamaddin Muhammad, his father, who was the advisor of Temurid Sultan Mahmud-Mirza. His grandfathers Mirhond and Alisher Navoi played a great role in his getting higher education. He got under care of Alisher Navoi in his youth and worked as a librarian at his library, and since 1498 he became the head of it. There he started his scientific activity. Since 1503 he took an active part in politics as vizier to Badih az-Zaman in Balkh, Herat (Afghanistan). He participated in diplomatic missions to Kunduz, Kandagar, and as well as elaborating political papers for Sheibani-khan.

 

In 1508 after Heart was conquered by Sheibani-khan, Khandamir moved to Jurjan. In 1515 he returned to Herat where he served for Muhammad Zaman Mirza, Badih az-Zaman’s son.

 

In 1527 he left the city and headed to Agra where he served for Babur. After his death he served for Babur’s son, Khumayun. In India he continued his scientific activity.

 

He died in 1535 in the city of Mandu (India). He was buried near the grave  of poet Husrav Dehlevi.

 

The Main Scientific Works

 

Masur  al-  Muluk (Valorous Deeds of Ruler,) was written by Alisher Navoi’s request and it was devoted to him. The work consisted of stories on different establishments, charitable deeds as well as wise statements of rulers in historical consistency.

 

Hulasat al –Akbar fi Bayan al- Akhval al- Akhyar (Quintessence of news, devoted to the explanation of human-beings’ kindness and life circumstances) contains of the description of Heart, the capital of the Temurids’ state with all places of interest and the biography of scientists and artists. The work was written in 1500 and dedicated to Alisher Navoi.

 

Makarim al- Akhlak (The Book of Qualities of Kindness), was written in 1501. It was devoted to Alisher Navoi’s dignity who was Khandamir patron.

 

Dastur al- Vuzara (Manual for Viziers) written in 1509, consists of viziers’ biographies from the VII century up to the beginning of XVI century.

 

Nama-yi Nami (Reference Book about Prominent People), was written in 1523. The book presents the way epistolary letter form was created. 

 The 7th volume and “geographical Attachment” to Rauzat as-safa (The Garden of Purity) by Mirhand. It clearly covered the historical conditions under the Temurids – Sultan Husayn Baykara and his sons up to 1523.

 

“Geographical Attachment” describes seas, rivers and the most important cities.

 

Habib as-Siyar (Companion of Life Descriptions) was completed in 1529 in India. It is one of the biggest and most valuable works devoted to the history of ancient times of the Temurids and Ismail I ruler.

 

Khumayun-name (Book about Khumayun) was written in 1532 in India. The book described period when Khumayun ruled the country, his new provisions for governing the country divided into 4 parts; the activities aimed at putting into order the country issues; celebration of holidays, construction works and other activities under Khumayun for the development of the country.

 

 Contribution to the World Science.

 

 In the period of the Temurids’ reign, for the first time the analysis of the state management reconstruction was done by Khumoyun.

 

Khumayun was the first to give a detailed description of Heart, the capital of the Temurids’ state with all its places of interest as well as a brief information on the famous Heart citizens’ biographies, contemporary to the author: dignitaries, clergymen, scientists, poets, calligraphers, artists, singers and musicians of the XV century.

 

He studied Alisher Navoi’s biography, his works and different stages of his life. According to this research, valuable information about science, history of the culture, art, music, construction as well as social history of last periods of the Temurids and the way of epistolary letter form creation.

 

 World Recognition

 

 To date, three out of the eight preserved works by Khandamir were translated into the English and Russian languages and three -into Uzbek.    6 works were published in the original Persian language (Cambridge, Bankipur , Kabul , Mumbai, Tehran). A number of pamphlets and one fundamental research (Tashkent, 2006) are devoted to Hondamir’s life and work. Hondamir is recognized in the scientific world as a famous historian, a prolific writer, a poet and a prominent statesman, who left a large trace in the history of Central Asia. The copies of manuscripts of his works are kept in the British Museum (London), Iran, Afghanistan, India, Istanbul, Pakistan, France, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Tajikistan and Tashkent.