Ḥāfiẓ-i Abrū

Historian

Ḥāfiẓ-i Abrū, his real name being Šihāb al-Dīn ʿAbd Allāh ibn Luṭf-Allāh ibn ʿAbd al-Rašīd al-Ḫwāfī, was a historian during early Tīmūrid times, in particular during the reign of Šāh Ruḫ (r. during parts of first half of 9th/15th century.) He has often been erroneously called Nūr al-Dīn ʿAbd Allāh ibn Luṭf-Allāh. He was an intimate of Tīmūr (see Tīmūr) and Tīmūr’s son, Šāh Ruḫ, often writing at the latter’s request. At Šāh Ruḫ’s request he completed two works: a geographical work, which he translated from Arabic to Persian with his own additions, and a compendium of the world’s most important histories. Additionally, he wrote a history of Šāh Ruḫ’s reign, entitled Tārīḫ-i Šāh Ruḫ, extending to 816/1413. He died in 833/1430.