An examination of the Persian version of Qazvini’s Ajā’eb al.makhlooqāt (based on a MS dated 699 A.H.)

Each one of the two Arabic and Persian versions of Zakarria Qazvini’s Ajā’eb al-makhlooqāt was revised by him personally, and then underwent some unjustified changes by others; as a result, certain complications found their way into both versions. The unwarranted changes in and the new additions to the Persian text have led to the assumption that the Arabic vertion was translated into Persian after Qazvini’s time. Nonetheless, a comparison between the dates of the Arabic and Persian versions indicates that, despite the prevalent view, the Persian version had been written before the Arabic text. Therefore, the Persian version belongs to Qazvini himself. The identification of the 699 H.- MS of the Persian version, which is free of manipulations has made it possible to undertake a painstaking study of both Arabic and Persian texts. In the present article, with the help of the Mar’ashi MS and its comparison with other manuscripts and by consulting several sources, the previous information about Qazvini and his Ajā’eb al-makhlooqāt has been critically reviewed and new findings have been presented.