The History of Modern Afghanistan (1896-1919): The Translation of Volume Four of Siraj-al-tawarikh (The Lamp of Histories)

FAIN: RQ-50711-13

New York University (New York, NY 10012-1019)
Robert D. McChesney (Project Director: December 2012 to May 2016)

Preparation for publication of a translation of the fourth and final volume of a history of modern Afghanistan. (24 months)

The Siraj-al-tawarikh (The Lamp of Histories) is the most important history of Afghanistan ever written in any language. Down to the present, Afghanistan's history has largely been recounted through records of the experiences and policies of the British in India. Yet the country has a rich history-writing tradition of its own and the present work represents the pinnacle of that tradition. The Siraj-al-tawarikh was commissioned as an official national history by the Afghan prince, later amir, Habib Allah Khan (reigned 1901-1919). The fabric of Afghanistan's society today-tribe and state relations, the rule of law, gender issues, and the economy-is minutely detailed in this immense work of two million words. We have translated and published the first three volumes of this massive history. Our proposal here is to translate the fourth and final volume.

Associated Products

The History of Afghanistan, or Siraj al-tawarikh, Volume 1-4 (11-volume set) (Book)
Title: The History of Afghanistan, or Siraj al-tawarikh, Volume 1-4 (11-volume set)
Author: Fayz Muhammad Katib Hazarah
Editor: M.M. Khorrami
Editor: R.D. McChesney
Abstract: The Siraj al-tawarikh is the most important history of Afghanistan ever written. It was commissioned as an official national history by the Afghan prince, later amir, Habib Allah Khan (reigned 1901-1919). The author, Fayz Muhammad Khan, better known as “Katib” (The Writer), was a scribe at the royal court. For more than twenty years, he had full access to government archives and oral sources and thus presents an unparalleled picture of the country from its founding in 1747 until the end of the nineteenth century. The roots of much of the fabric of Afghanistan’s society today—tribe and state relations, the rule of law, gender issues, and the economy—are elegantly and minutely detailed in this immense work. This set comprises the complete volumes 1-4 (in 11 parts) of the Siraj al-tawarikh.
Year: 2016
Primary URL: http://www.worldcat.org/title/history-of-afghanistan-vols-1-4-11-vols-fayz-muhammad-katib-hazarahs-siraj-al-tawarikh/oclc/944160258&referer=brief_results
Primary URL Description: WorldCat listing
Secondary URL: http://www.brill.com/products/reference-work/history-afghanistan-volume-4-5-vol-set
Secondary URL Description: Publisher's listing
Access Model: Book
Publisher: Leiden and Boston: Brill
Type: Translation
Type: Scholarly Edition
ISBN: 9789004307636
Translator: M.M. Khorrami
Translator: R.D. McChesney
Copy sent to NEH?: Yes

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