Introduction to Kanz al-Maʿārif and an Analysis of its Historical Significance in Understanding the Barmakīd Dynasty

The present article attempts to introduce a lesser-known work called Kanz al-Maʿārif, written in Persian and in central Iran, and highlight its significance in a better and deeper understanding of the Barmakīd Dynasty. The book is entirely dedicated to ʾĀl-i Barmak (The Barmak family) and the biographies of the most important figures in this dynasty, and is authored by ʿAbd al-Jalīl ʾibn Yaḥyā ʾibn ʿAbdul Jalīl ʾibn Muḥammed ʾibn ʿAbdulbāqī Yazdī. He began writing the book in 762 A.H./1360 A.D. and dedicated it to Shāh Shujāʿ Dīn Muẓaffarī once it was finished. Three copies of this book are known to exist, with the two older copies numbered 1342 and 1351 being kept in the national library of France. The latter was transcribed in 926 A.H./1520 A.D., while the former’s transcription date remains unknown. The third copy belongs to the ʿĀrif-i Ḥikmat Library in Medina and was transcribed in the 12th century A.H./18th century A.D. In this article, in addition to introducing the author and the copies of the work, its connections with other books particularly written about the Barmakīds and with the narratives mentioned in historical and literary accounts regarding this family are analyzed. Through this analysis, the merits and significances of the work compared with others in understanding the Barmakīds is revealed.