Tarikh-i Bayhaqi; The Founder of Documentation in Persian Historical Prose

According to the reporter of the Iran Book News Agency (IBNA) in Yasuj, Alayar Afrakhteh stated on Wednesday evening at the 45th provincial literary meeting, referring to the valuable position of Abul-Fadl Bayhaqi in Persian history and literature: “The strong foundations of Persian prose must be sought in Bayhaqi’s works; just as Ferdowsi in poetry laid the foundations of the Persian language atop the high Iranian culture, Bayhaqi also established such a foundation in prose and breathed spirit and life into Persian history.”

Afrakhteh added: “Just as Ferdowsi, by composing the Shahnameh, mounted history and myth on the steed of literature, Bayhaqi also employed this method in prose in ‘Tarikh-i Bayhaqi,’ and after more than a thousand years since its writing, this work still holds an unparalleled position in our culture and society and inspires contemporary writers and poets.”

This lecturer at Farhangian University emphasized: “Bayhaqi does not consider history merely a report of events, but rather narrates it in an engaging and lively manner; as if the reader is watching a historical screenplay. Detail, accuracy in narration, and documentation of speech are prominent features of this great historian.”

According to Afrakhteh, Bayhaqi himself has repeatedly stated that his information is based either on direct observation, or on the accounts of reliable individuals, or through court letters and documents.

Afrakhteh said: “In this regard, ‘Tarikh-i Bayhaqi’ is not merely history, but reflects Iranian literature, politics, society, and culture in the 5th and 6th centuries AH; an era that spans from the Ghaznavid state to the beginning of the Seljuks’ rise to power.”

He noted: “Bayhaqi’s works are a symbol of the deep connection between history and literature; a legacy that has continued from Ferdowsi to Shamloo, showing that the Persian language is not merely a tool of expression, but a carrier of Iranian culture, thought, and identity.”

Ali Gharib, a Wise Minister and Prominent Figure in Bayhaqi’s Narratives

Furthermore, the provincial writer and literary researcher continued, regarding the historical and cultural roots of the Bayhaq region and its connection with the works of Abul-Fadl Bayhaqi, the renowned 5th-century AH writer, said: “The Bayhaq region, parts of which are located today in Sabzevar County, is one of the ancient and famous areas of Greater Khorasan, and learned and great people have lived there throughout history.”

Soroush Dorost added: “Bayhaq is located on the road from Mashhad to Tehran, and this historical position has led to the people of that region still being employed in transportation-related jobs and heavy vehicles. In this same region, noble families and respected Seyyeds live, who still preserve the cultural and spiritual heritage of their ancestors.”

This literary researcher, referring to the fame of Ali Gharib, one of the prominent ministers mentioned in ‘Tarikh-i Bayhaqi,’ said: “Bayhaqi introduces figures in his narratives who played a prominent role not only in politics but also in the culture and social context of the Ghaznavid era.”

He added: “Ali Gharib is one such figure, renowned for his prudence and knowledge, and Bayhaqi, in describing the events of the era of Mahmud of Ghazni and his sons, including Mohammad and Abd al-Rashid, repeatedly referred to his good deeds.”

Dorost also referred to the religious and cultural backgrounds of Iran before Islam and said: “Iran has an ancient history in human rituals and values, and after the advent of Islam, these traditions mingled with Islamic spirituality.”

He noted that studying Tarikh-i Bayhaqi introduces us to this deep connection between Iranian culture and religious beliefs during the transition from the Samanids to the Ghaznavids.

This writer continued: “Bayhaq and its people, both in the past and today, are strong pillars in preserving the Iranian language and culture. From Bayhaqi’s perspective, history is not merely the recording of events, but a reflection of the identity, ethics, and outlook of the Iranian human being amidst political and social transformations.”

Dorost emphasized: “The beauties of Tarikh-i Bayhaqi are not only in his eloquent prose but also in the passion and enthusiasm he has for culture and humanity. Bayhaqi, with an honest pen, gratefully remembers the elders and predecessors of this land and teaches us that literature is the most vibrant face of history.”

Bayhaqi, a Model of the Integration of Science, Politics, and Meaning in Persian Literature

Also, the author of the book “Shahnameh of Storytelling in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad” said at the meeting examining the position of Tarikh-i Bayhaqi: “Abul-Fadl Bayhaqi is a personality who has benefited from the knowledge and experience of politics, literature, and spirituality, and his works are a shining example of the connection between wisdom and ethics in Persian historiography.”

Soraya Aghaei stated: “Bayhaqi was trained for many years under prominent masters in the Ghaznavid court and, during his 19 years of service, brought the style of writing, chairmanship of the chancery, and principles of Persian script and prose to the highest possible level. In this process, he not only developed literary taste but also gained a deep understanding of Iranian history and the political system of his time.”

This writer added: “Bayhaqi adhered to precise historiographical principles in narrating history; meaning he recounts events with documentation, precise dates, and references to sources or personal observations. This precision has made his work not merely a book of history, but a literary and documentary work.”

Aghaei, referring to the linguistic characteristics of this work, said: “Tarikh-i Bayhaqi, in terms of eloquence and fluency, holds a higher position than many works before Golestan and has brought the Persian language to a level of stability that makes it a valuable source for historical, literary, and linguistic research.”