On the New Trends in Translation of Abd al-Zahir’s Texts

Abstract

The beginning of diplomatic relations between the Golden Horde and Mamluk Egypt and the conversion to Islam by Khan Berke (1257–1266) are reflected in written sources. The most important of these is the Garden of Flowers in the Biography of al-Malik al-Zahir, compiled by Muhyi d-Din Abu-l-Fadl ’Abdallah ibn ‘Abd az-Zahir, the secretary of the Sultan al-Malik al-Zahir Rukn al-Din Baybars al-Bunduqdari (1260–1277). This work became the basis for later books of those who represented Arabic-speaking historical tradition. The excerpts from these works uncovering the history of the Golden Horde were published in 1884 by V. G. Tizengausen. It should be noted that the translation of the sources made by V. G. Tizengausen at a high level is not a word-by-word translation. The literary translation leaves room for various historical interpretations of the texts. In 2020, V. A. Sidorenko published an attempt of interpretation of the kind. The aim of the present research is grammatical, historical, and religious analysis of the conjectures given by V. A. Sidorenko and the conclusions drawn against this background. The results of the research undertaken support the conclusion that the most likely date of conversion to Islam by Khan Berke reflected in the written sources is 1263. Moreover, the author criticises the conjectures of Ibn Abd al-Zahir’s text suggested by V. A. Sidorenko. The greatest objection is the translation of the content of the first letter of the Egyptian Sultan to Khan Berke. The conclusion is made that, at the moment when the letter to Berke was written, al-Malik al-Zahir Baybars had no doubts about the religion of the Khan. This conclusion suggests doubts concerning the chronological sequence of diplomatic missions and exchange of letters between Egypt and the Golden Horde suggested by V. A. Sidorenko. One should search for the reason for the contradictions between the content of the Sultan’s message to the Khan of the Golden Horde and the content of the letters delivered to Egypt by Berke’s ambassadors among the features of religious policy of Mongolian rulers. Taking the Khan’s sympathy for Islam into account, the reason behind the letter to Berke probably was the misinterpretation of the information concerning his religion received in Egypt.