Remarks on Undiscovered History Books and Local Historiography in Khwarazm (4-5 AH /10-11 CE)

Despite an increase in the research undertaken in the area of history and local historiography in the medieval Iran, undiscovered historical books continue to remain unnoticed. The present article aims to study the lost local history books of Khwarazm and their typography during the 4-5 centuries AH. The findings of this study demonstrate that the emergence of local chronicles in Khwarazm started, rather belatedly, in the 3rd century AH, but before long it began to experience its growth both qualitatively and quantitatively. The pioneers in writing local history for Khwarazm were from among Traditionists (Ahl-e Hadith), who managed to sustain their position in the region's historiography up until the 6th century AH. Their works were of religious nature based on the criteria characteristic of Ahl-e Hadith. Subsequently in the 5th century, Khwarazm witnessed the appearance of non-religious history books (political) as well. Although in writing the first history book of the latter kind (non-religious), Abu Rayhan's work, the criteria of Islamic historiography had not been observed, this kind of historical writing soon returned to its traditional Islamic course, namely, the observance of non-critical Traditionalists’ (Akhbarian) criteria, (criteria advocated by Ahl-e Hadith). However, both kinds of historiography (religious and nonreligious) in Khwarazm continued to proceed side by side until the 6th century AH.