TAWĀRĪKH AL-BULDĀN: LOCAL HISTORY IN THE ARABIC TRADITION A historiographical study based on a reading of a history of Gharnāṭa entitled Al-Iḥāṭa fī Akhbār Gharnāṭa by al-wazīr Lisān al-Dīn b. al-Khaṭīb (d. 776/1374)

Abstract

This dissertation presents a historiographical study of tawārīkh al- buldān, or local history in the Arabic tradition. It is constituted of ten chapters that build on each other to convey a central thesis, which is argued, systematically, proceeding from the general to the specific. In this effort, a new approach is taken towards explaining how a variety of works that differ from one another, in terms of content and with respect to structure, could be classified as tawārīkh al-buldān by practioners in the field. In seeking a sound explanation, both taxonomies and extant works of local history, are subjected to a rigourous examination. Thus, an attempt is made to indicate the emergence, growth, and spread of local history across Arabic literate areas during the early centuries of the Hijri era (7-11th CE). Then, in narrowing the focus of the research to the region of Al- Andalus, and in extending the time frame of investigation to the eighth century (14th CE), the study is able to chart a finer course in the development of local history. From within this contextual framework, a history of Gharnāṭa (Es. Granada), entitled Al-Iḥāṭa fī akhbār Gharnāṭa, by the famous vizier Ibn al-Khaṭīb (d. 776/1374), is identified as a leading specimen that represents a mature phase in the tradition of local history writings. Also, this work can be significant, because of novel methods that are advanced by its author in presenting history. Based on these considerations, Al-Iḥāṭa is subjected to an indepth study. In the process, the intricate details of the work and its unique presentation, including a system of typing of data by Ibn al-Khaṭīb, are uncovered for the first time. The discussions lead to important findings that are able to be channeled in ways that allow for decoding many of the key components, which make up works of local history, and, also, for theorising on aspects of historical narrative. Overall, this study breaks new ground in providing a detailed description of tawārīkh al-buldān as a distinct field of enquiry. Furthermore, the techniques of research and the methods of analysis, as they have been developed for this study, can have applications in future projects involving other local histories, as well as in efforts at developing social models that could be used in reconstructing varied facets of life, during the relevant milieux, as reflected in biographies that are found in historical works.