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Al-Biruni: Preface and Table of Contents

Al-Biruni: Preface and Table of Contents Page of 375 Foreword Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
It may therefore, be concluded that though Beruni finished composing K. al-Jamahir during the reign of the Ghaznavid Sultan Ma'udud
(432-440 A.H./l 040-1 048 A.D.), most of his observations in it about
relative weights/volumes of metals/gemstones are based on his early experiments at Jurjaniyah, conducted during the years 399—407 A.H.,
where he used the water of the Oxus; while his observation about the
relative weights of a cubit cube of water and of gold is based on the
experiments which he conducted at Ghaznah between 408 A.H. and
427 A.H. in which he used fresh water of the Ghaznah river.
With this much said about Kitab al-Jamahir, it is a pleasant duty to
acknowledge that publication of this volume became possible mainly
through the courtesies and co-operation of Hakim Mohammad Sa'id,
philanthrophist and patron of learning, who made available a complete
typescript of this edition so that it could be printed under the Great
Books Project with which he has been closely associated.
Islamabad,
17 Dhu'lQa'dah 1409 A.H.,
22 June 1989 A.D.
N. A. Baloch,
Project Director
&
Advisor, Pakistan Hijra Council
1.    Krenkow, F.: 'The Chapter on Pearls in the Book on Precious Stones by Al-Beruni',
the Quarterly Islamic Culture, (Hyderabad Deccan, Oct. 1941, pp. 399—402) in
which Krenkow also mentioned that he had then made a 'complete translation'
(English[) of this book which "may see the light some day."
2.    Mizan al-Hikmat, Arabic edition, Hyderabad Deccan, India, 1359 A.H.; 'Analysis
and Extracts' of it by N. Khanikoff, the Journal of the American Oriental Society,
Vol. VI, 1859; H. C. Bolton, 'The Book of the Balance of Wisdom' (The American
Chemist, May 1876), reprint New York, 1876. English translation of this scientific
work of great importance is being published separately under the Great Books
Project.
3.    'Maqalah' Monograph or (Treatise) as mentioned by Beruni himself, though also a
'book' (kitab) in general sense as mentioned by Khazini. For discussion of this
'Treatise' by modern scholars see J. J. Clement-Mullet '(Jr. Asiatique, ve se'rie,
Vol. XI, 1858), and E. Wiedemann (Sitzungsber. d. phys. med. Soz. in Erlangen,
Vol. XXXVIII, 1906).
XXI
Al-Biruni: Preface and Table of Contents Page of 375 Foreword
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