Sharafkhan Bidlisi

Sharafkhan Bidlisi
Emir, Beg, Mir and Khan
A portrait of Sharaf Khan Bidlisi
Emir of Bitlis
Predecessor
  • Shamsaddin Beg (as emir of Bitlis)
  • Ulama Tekelü Han[1] (as beylerbey of Bitlis)
SuccessorShamsaddin Beg Abulmalik
Born25 February 1543
Karahrud, Safavid Iran
Died1603–1604 (60–61 years old)
IssueShamsaddin Beg Abulmalik
Names
Sharaf Khan Bidlisi
DynastyRojki
FatherShamsaddin Beg
MotherA daughter of Emîr Han Musullu[2]
ReligionSunni Islam
Sharaf Khan Bidlisi statue at Slemani Public Park in Silêmanî, Iraqi Kurdistan

Sharaf al-Din Khan b. Shams al-Din b. Sharaf Beg Bedlisi (Kurdish: شەرەفخانی بەدلیسی, Şerefxanê Bedlîsî; Persian: شرف‌الدین خان بن شمس‌الدین بن شرف بیگ بدلیسی; 25 February 1543 – c. 1603–04)[3] was a Kurdish[4] Emir of Bitlis. He was also a historian, writer and poet. He wrote exclusively in Persian. Born in the Qara Rud village, in central Iran, between Arak and Qom, at a young age he was sent to the Safavids' court and obtained his education there.

He is the author of Sharafnama, one of the most important works on medieval Kurdish history, written in 1597. He created a good picture of Kurdish life and Kurdish dynasties in the 16th century in his works. Outside Iran and Kurdish-speaking countries, Sharaf Khan Bidlisi has influenced Kurdish literature and societies through the translation of his works by other scholars.

He was also a gifted artist and a well-educated man, excelling as much in mathematics and military strategy as he did in history.

  1. ^ Kemal H. Karpat (2003). Ottoman Borderlands: Issues, Personalities, and Political Changes. Center of Turkish Studies, University of Wisconsin. p. 150.
  2. ^ Osman Gazi Özgüdenli (1988–2016). "ŞEREF HAN (ö. 1012/1603–1604) Şerefnâme adlı tarihiyle meşhur olan Bitlis hâkimi.". TDV Encyclopedia of Islam (44+2 vols.) (in Turkish). Istanbul: Turkiye Diyanet Foundation, Centre for Islamic Studies.
  3. ^ Glassen, Erika. "BEDLĪSĪ, ŠARAF-AL-DĪN KHAN". Encyclopædia Iranica. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  4. ^ Gunter, Michael M. (22 June 2009). The A to Z of the Kurds. Scarecrow Press. p. 27. ISBN 978-0-8108-6334-7.