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Primary sourcePainting1307

Storming of al-Muqanna's Fortress

Al-Biruni · 1307

An illustrated page from a 1307 copy of al-Biruni's chronology, depicting the siege that ended the rebellion of the religious leader al-Muqanna.

Al-Biruni recorded this siege and the death of al-Muqanna in his chronology of calendars and historical events.

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Manuscript page with Arabic calligraphy above and below a framed miniature painting. The painting shows mounted riders in blue and red garments attacking a brick fortress with blue-domed gates and turrets, while defenders in yellow headgear watch from the walls under a blue sky.
Storming of al-Muqanna's fortress, Chronology of Ancient Nations by Al-Biruni, 1307 copy. University of Edinburgh.

About this source

What it is

This page comes from a 1307 manuscript copy of al-Biruni's Chronology of Ancient Nations, held by the University of Edinburgh. The illustration shows the storming of the fortress of al-Muqanna, a religious leader whose armed rebellion al-Biruni recorded in his text.

Why it matters

Al-Biruni's chronology did more than list dates; it recorded historical events and conflicts tied to different calendars and communities. This image shows how later illustrators visualized the events he described, including the death of al-Muqanna during the siege.

Look closer

  • What can you tell about the battle from how the riders and defenders are positioned?
  • Why might an illustrator choose this particular moment from al-Biruni's account to depict?
  • What parts of the event does the image leave out that the text might explain?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Al-Biruni on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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