Hamdullah Müstevfî

Hamdullah Müstevfî is an Islamic era historian and geographer known for his works Târîh-i Güzîde and Nüzhetü'l-Kulûb. He stands out among Kurdish historical sources as the author of works in which the name "Kürdistan" was used for the first time.

The Name "Kürdistan"

Müstevfî's works are valuable as sources for the early use of the designation "Kürdistan". This name appears in the author's work Târîh-i Güzîde in the form "Kurdabad", and directly as "Kürdistan" in his work Nüzhetü'l-Kulûb (Vol. 1, p. 88).

Annâzîler Dynasty

Müstevfî is mentioned among historians who recorded the name of the Annâzîler, a Kurdish dynasty that ruled in the Cibal region in western Iran between 381-511/990-1171. While historians like Hilâl b. Muhassin es-Sâbî and İbnü'l-Esîr refer to the dynasty's name as Benû Annâz; historians like İbnü'l-Cevzî, Hamdullah Müstevfî, and Şerefhan give the dynasty's name as Benû Ayyâr, in relation to Ayyâr. If this discrepancy is not attributed to erroneous transcription of similar-looking letters, it is probable that the dynasty was named in relation to the word "eyar", a Kurdish word also seen in the nisba of some Kurdish figures (Vol. 1, p. 141).

Târîh-i Güzîde as a Source

Müstevfî's work Târîh-i Güzîde is considered among the primary sources providing information about the political history of the Annâzîler dynasty. In this context, the work is mentioned alongside works such as İbn Miskeveyh's Tecâribü'l-Ümem, Hilâl b. Muhassin es-Sâbî's Kitâbü't-Târîh, İbnü'l-Esîr's el-Kâmil fi't-Târîh, İbnü'l-Cevzî's el-Muntazam fî Târîhi'l-Mülûk ve'l-Ümem, and Şerefhan's Şerefnâme (Vol. 1, p. 147).