Khanbaba Moshar is the founder of the history of bibliography in Iran

In an interview, historian Ehsan Eshraghi identifies Khanbaba Moshar as the true founder of the history of bibliography in Iran. Eshraghi emphasizes that while others contributed to the field, Moshar’s comprehensive and meticulous work laid the foundation for modern Iranian bibliography.

Khanbaba Moshar, despite lacking formal academic training, dedicated his life to the monumental task of compiling a complete catalog of printed Persian books. His passion and perseverance resulted in the “Catalogue of Printed Persian Books,” a multi-volume work that remains an indispensable resource for scholars, librarians, and researchers. This work meticulously documents Persian books published over centuries, providing detailed information about each entry.

Eshraghi highlights that Moshar’s contribution is particularly remarkable given the limited resources available to him. He worked independently, often at great personal sacrifice, to gather, verify, and organize a vast amount of data. His systematic approach and attention to detail set a new standard for bibliographic studies in Iran.

The legacy of Khanbaba Moshar, according to Eshraghi, is not just his invaluable catalog but also the scholarly tradition he inspired. His work is a cornerstone of Iranian studies, enabling researchers to trace the history of printing, publishing, and intellectual thought in Iran. For anyone studying the history of the book in Iran, Moshar’s catalog is the essential starting point.