A Bibliography of the Works of Abu'L- Raihan Al-Biruni (An Old and Rare Book)

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Since the editions and translations of al-Biruni's Chronology and Tahqiq ma li't- Hind was made by Edward Sachau, who was a pioneer in the field of Biruni-studies, interest in the works and scientific thought of this great mediaeval scientist has multiplied considerably. His works are gradually brought to light in an increasing way by the scholarly efforts of individual scholars as well as of various institutions.

Abu Rayban Muhammad b. Ahmad al-Biruni al-Khwarizmi was born on 3rd. Dhul Hijja, 362 A.H./4 th. September, 973 in a suburb of Kath (Khwarizm, modern Khiva). He was primarily an astronomer and mathematician, but was generally interested in all sciences. From early childhood, he was interested in research and investigation, and produced his first major work on ancient calendars, al-Athar al-Baqiya 'an al-Qurun al-Khaliya, at the age of 27. In his early life, he had the patronage of the Khwarizmshah, but after their downfall, was forced to leave his homeland, and accept the patronage of one ruler after another, until he was taken prisoner by Mabmud b. Subuktakin and brought to Ghazna from his homeland. From Ghazna he visited India and passed more than a decade in this country. Finally he passed the rest of his life in Ghazna working on several of his works, and died at the ripe age of 80 years in about 1050 A.D.

One of the greatest scientists of the middle ages, al-Biruni was keenly interested in astronomical researches and observations, the total results of his knowledge derived from ancient Greek and Hindu sources and from the works of the previous Muslim astronomers, are incorporated in his Magnum Opus, al-Qanun al-Mar'udi. He was a prolific writer and wrote some 135 works, of his works, 28 are on India or connected with India which have been marked with an asterisk in the General-List or GL. Al-Biruni was a scientist in the true sense of the word. He had a scientific out- look, and although he was religious in the sense that he practised the tenets of Islam, he was yet completely free from any religious or racial prejudices. He had invented a time-machine based on the Roman calendar for the mosque in Ghazna, but the imam refused to use it as in the latter's view, it was based on a non-Islamic calendar. Though by birth an Iranian, he spoke the Khwarizmian dialect, and knew Arabic, Greek, Persian, Sarakrit and other languages. His work on India, is considered to be the most authentic work on ancient Indian philosophy, culture, sciences, customs, habits, etc. ever written in the Arabic language. By writing his work on India, al-Biruni rendered a great service to the Arabic-speaking world of the time since he presented contemporary India in a manner in which no Arab writer before him had done.

Al-Biruni passed his life as a bachelor, and never got married. He was truly married to science, and to his works. It is said that he never raised his head from reading books, and went out only twice in a year on festival occasions, to procure provisions for himself and till the last breath of his life, he was busy learning new formulae and theories.