Landmarks and Chronicles of the People
The book titled Landmarks and Chronicles of the People is a notable work by Zakariya ibn Muhammad ibn Mahmoud al-Qazwini. In this work, al-Qazwini describes how he compiled it from his observations and experiences of the wonders and peculiarities bestowed by God upon His creations and the lands. He elucidates that the Earth is a celestial body, characterized by variations across different regions due to the diverse influences of sunlight, rainfall, and winds. Such differences have given rise to remarkable phenomena across various lands. The book details the extraordinary creations of God, the conditions of past nations, and their distinguished qualities in morals and etiquette. This text serves as an excellent companion for readers, as it vividly presents images of different lands, making readers feel as if they are witnessing them firsthand, while sharing tales of the virtuous as if they were in conversation with them.
Contents of the Book
The book is structured into the following sections:
- Author’s Preface.
- First Introduction: On the Necessity of Establishing Cities and Villages.
- Second Introduction: On the Characteristics of Different Lands.
- Third Introduction: On the Regions of the Earth.
- Index of Notable Figures.
- Index of Places.
It is worth noting that Zakariya al-Qazwini, also the author of Wonders of Creation, did not aim to merely observe God’s creations without reflecting on the divine nature of the universe. He likens those who do not contemplate the cosmos to livestock, as they remain oblivious to the truths of existence and the power of God. As stated in the Holy Quran: “And We have certainly created for Hell many of the jinn and mankind. They have hearts with which they do not understand, and they have eyes with which they do not see, and they have ears with which they do not hear. Those are like cattle; rather, they are more astray. It is they who are the heedless.”
About al-Qazwini
Zakariya al-Qazwini, son of Muhammad ibn Mahmoud, traces his lineage to Anas ibn Malik al-Ansari al-Najari. He was born in 1208 CE in Qazvin and later moved to Iraq and the Levant. He served as a judge in the regions of Hillah and Wasit during the reign of the Abbasid caliph al-Mustasim. Al-Qazwini was a geographer, historian, and a judge who passed away in 1283 CE, leaving behind an extensive body of work. His most significant contributions include Landmarks and Chronicles of the People, Plans of Egypt, and Wonders of Creation, which have been translated into Turkish, Persian, and German.