Ibn al-Dawadari
- Died
- 736 AH
- Born in
- Cairo
Abu Bakr ibn al-Dawadari (d. after 736 AH / 1335 CE) was a Mamluk-era historian and man of letters based in Cairo and Damascus, best known for his universal chronicle Kanz al-Durar wa Jami al-Ghurar.
Origin and Early Life
His full name was Abu Bakr ibn Abd Allah ibn Aybak, and he bore the honorific Sayf al-Din. Modern biographers estimate his birth between approximately 675 AH and 685 AH. His paternal grandfather was Izz al-Din Aybak al-Mu'azzami (d. 645 AH), who held the fortress of Salkhad in the Hauran as an estate (Iqta) and was married to Kumush Khatun. His father, Abd Allah, was called al-Dawadari on account of his service to the Mamluk commander Sayf al-Din Bilban al-Rumi al-Dawadar al-Zahiri. Ibn al-Dawadari was born and raised in Cairo, living in the al-Batiliyyah quarter south of al-Azhar Mosque.
He assisted his father during various administrative postings, including when his father was appointed over the eastern district of Egypt (al-Sharqiyyah) and granted command of the bedouin tribes in 695 AH (1299 CE). In 710 AH (1310 CE), he relocated with his father to Damascus, where his father served as host of state guests (mihmandār) until his death in 713 AH (1313 CE).
Literary Pursuits and Historiography
Following his father's death, Ibn al-Dawadari focused on literature, study, and historical composition rather than seeking advancement in military service. He maintained an avid interest in poetry, evening gatherings of literary conversation, and collecting rare manuscripts, through which he assembled a large personal library.
He began compiling material for his major historical project in 709 AH (1309 CE). His principal chronicle, Kanz al-Durar wa Jami al-Ghurar ("The Treasure of Pearls and Collector of Luminaries"), was arranged in nine volumes aligned conceptually with the nine celestial spheres, culminating in the reign of Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun. He completed the ninth volume at the beginning of 736 AH (1335 CE). He also produced an abridged universal history in one volume titled Durar al-Tijan wa Ghurar Tawarikh al-Zaman ("Pearls of Crowns and Highlights of the Histories of Time"), which concluded at the year 710 AH and incorporated biographical notices of rulers, viziers, scholars, and poets alongside chronological events.
Death
Ibn al-Dawadari died after 736 AH (1335 CE), with some modern estimates placing his death around 737 AH.
Answer updated
List of Works
Kanz al-Durar wa Jami al-Ghurar (The Treasure of Pearls and Collector of Luminaries) is a universal history in nine volumes that chronicles world history from creation and ancient nations through the Islamic caliphates to the reign of Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad.