Fathullah Shirazi: Difference between revisions
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Another [[cannon]]-related machine he created could clean sixteen gun barrels simultaneously, and was operated by a cow. This was known as the ''Yarghu'' <ref> Alvi, M.A.; Rahman, Abdur (1968). Fathullah Shirazi: A Sixteenth Century Indian Scientist. New Delhi: National Institute of Sciences of India </ref>. He also developed a seventeen-barrelled cannon fired with a [[matchlock]].<ref>{{citation|title=Science and technology in early modern Islam, c.1450-c.1850|first=William Gervase|last=Clarence-Smith|url=http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/economicHistory/GEHN/GEHNPDF/ScienceandTechnology-WGCS.pdf|publisher=Global Economic History Network, [[London School of Economics]]|page=7}}</ref> These inventions are important as they are the first time a screw has been used as a major component and also are the first real evidence of how a pipeline may be used. <ref> Alvi, M.A.; Rahman, Abdur (1968). Fathullah Shirazi: A Sixteenth Century Indian Scientist. New Delhi: National Institute of Sciences of India </ref>. |
Another [[cannon]]-related machine he created could clean sixteen gun barrels simultaneously, and was operated by a cow. This was known as the ''Yarghu'' <ref> Alvi, M.A.; Rahman, Abdur (1968). Fathullah Shirazi: A Sixteenth Century Indian Scientist. New Delhi: National Institute of Sciences of India </ref>. He also developed a seventeen-barrelled cannon fired with a [[matchlock]].<ref>{{citation|title=Science and technology in early modern Islam, c.1450-c.1850|first=William Gervase|last=Clarence-Smith|url=http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/economicHistory/GEHN/GEHNPDF/ScienceandTechnology-WGCS.pdf|publisher=Global Economic History Network, [[London School of Economics]]|page=7}}</ref> These inventions are important as they are the first time a screw has been used as a major component and also are the first real evidence of how a pipeline may be used. <ref> Alvi, M.A.; Rahman, Abdur (1968). Fathullah Shirazi: A Sixteenth Century Indian Scientist. New Delhi: National Institute of Sciences of India </ref>. |
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[[File:Yarghu.jpg|thumb|A machine for cleaning gun barrels]] |
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Revision as of 09:41, 7 April 2023
| Fathullah Shirazi | |
|---|---|
| Born | Shiraz, Safavid Iran (present-day Shiraz, Iran)[1] |
| Died | 1588-89 (997 AH)[2] Kashmir, Mughal Empire[2] |
| Spouse | Daughter of Muzaffar Khan Turbati[1] |
| Religion | Shia Islam[1] |
Sayyed Mīr Fathullāh Shīrāzī[3] (Persian: سید میر فتح الله شیرازی; died 1588-89[2]) was a Persian Sufi polymath and inventor who specialized in many subjects: theology, literature, grammar, philosophy, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, astrology, and mechanics.[1] A close confidant of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, Shirazi held several important administrative positions in his imperial court.[1]
Biography
Early Life
Sayyed Mīr Fathullāh Shīrāzī was born and raised in Shiraz, Safavid Iran.[1] He received his education at the school of Azar Kayvan. Here, he studied philosophy and logic under the guidance of Khwajah Jamaluddin Mahmud, a disciple of the logician Jalal al-Din Davani.[1] Shirazi furthered his knowledge in medicine, mathematics, and science under the instruction of Mir Ghayasuddin Mansur.[1] After completing his education, Shirazi embarked on a career in education in Shiraz. Among his notable students was Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan, who served as the close confidant of the Mughal Emperor Akbar.[1]
Arrival in India
Before Shirazi arrived in India, he served the Safavid nobility as a religious dignitary.[1] He migrated to India after being invited by Sultan Ali Adil Shah I, who in turn covered his expenses for the journey.[1] He lived in Bijapur until 1580.[1]
Role in Akbar's Administration
In 1583, Shirazi received an invitation from Mughal Emperor Akbar and subsequently joined the imperial court in Agra.[1] He soon earned the title of Amir and a rank (mansab) of 3000.[2] Two years later, in 1584, Akbar appointed him as the Amin-ul-Mulk, also known as the Trustee of the State.[1] Shirazi's first task was to reexamine and rectify the Mughal Empire's vast transaction records, which he accomplished with diligence and success.[1] Along with his administrative work, Shirazi also undertook the task of regulating the intrinsic and bullion values of coins. He identified and corrected discrepancies in the currency, ensuring its reliability and trustworthiness.[1]
Shirazi’s skills and talents also earned him various honors and titles. In 1585 and 1587, the emperor selected him to lead diplomatic missions to the Deccan, where he was recognized for his efforts with the title of Azud-ud-Dawlah, or the Arm of the Emperor.[1] He also received a horse, 5000 rupees, a robe of honor, and the office of the Chief Sadr of Hindustan.[1]
Death
Shirazi fell ill and died during Akbar’s stay in Kashmir in 1588-89.[1][2] He was buried in the monastery of Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani on the Koh-i-Sulaiman.[1] His closeness to Akbar can be ascertained by the fact that sources say that Akbar was deeply disturbed by his death and stated the following: [1][2]
"Had he [Shirazi] fallen into the hands of the Franks, and they had demanded all my treasures in exchange for him, I should gladly have entered upon such profitable traffic and bought that precious jewel cheap."
Inventions
Among the inventions credited to him was an early anti-infantry volley gun with multiple gun barrels similar to a hand cannon's.[4]
Another cannon-related machine he created could clean sixteen gun barrels simultaneously, and was operated by a cow. This was known as the Yarghu [5]. He also developed a seventeen-barrelled cannon fired with a matchlock.[6] These inventions are important as they are the first time a screw has been used as a major component and also are the first real evidence of how a pipeline may be used. [7].
Not all of his creations were intended for warfare however; he designed a carriage praised by Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak for its comfort. It could also be used to grind corn when not transporting passengers.
Receiving direct patronage from Akbar's court, Shirazi, alongside some other ulema brought several educational reforms to the curriculum of the madrasas. In the new syllabus, they stressed on the importance of "uloom-i-muqalat" (Rational Sciences). The introduction of subjects such as geometry, medicine, philosophy and mathematics was to have widespreading consequences, producing series of eminent scholars, engineers and architects.[8]
Bengali land taxes were initially collected according to the Hijri calendar which did not coincide with the solar agricultural cycles. In response, emperor Akbar asked Shirazi to create a new calendar by combining the Hijri and the native calendars. Referred to as the fôshôlī shôn (harvest calendar), Shirazi is credited as the formulator of the modern Bengali calendar.[9][10]
He invented the gaj-i-ilahi system.
Writings
While there are no existing writings by Shirazi on the subjects of science and technology, Badaoni attributes several "excellent" works to him. He was known for writing commentaries on an array of subjects, with one of his earliest centring on the Quran, possibly during his time in Iran. In the realm of logic, the Takmilah-i-Hashiyah is also credited to him. He is also known for having contributed to the major historical compilation, Tarikh-i-Alfi, a thousand year history of Islam. [1]
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v Alvi, M.A.; Rahman, Abdur (1968). Fathullah Shirazi: A Sixteenth Century Indian Scientist. New Delhi: National Institute of Sciences of India.
- ^ a b c d e f Bhakkari, Shaikh Farid. The Dhakhīratul Khawanīn. p. 142.
- ^ Sharif Husain Qasemi (1999), "Mīr Sayyed Fatḥ-Allāh Šīrāzī", Encyclopædia Iranica.
- ^ Bag, A. K. (2005), Fathullah Shirazi: Cannon, Multi-barrel Gun and Yarghu, Indian Journal of History of Science, pp. 431–436.
- ^ Alvi, M.A.; Rahman, Abdur (1968). Fathullah Shirazi: A Sixteenth Century Indian Scientist. New Delhi: National Institute of Sciences of India
- ^ Clarence-Smith, William Gervase, Science and technology in early modern Islam, c.1450-c.1850 (PDF), Global Economic History Network, London School of Economics, p. 7
- ^ Alvi, M.A.; Rahman, Abdur (1968). Fathullah Shirazi: A Sixteenth Century Indian Scientist. New Delhi: National Institute of Sciences of India
- ^ Khan, Nasir Raza. Art and Architectural Traditions of India and Iran: Commonality and Diversity. Routledge, 2022.
- ^ Kunal Chakrabarti; Shubhra Chakrabarti (2013). Historical Dictionary of the Bengalis. Scarecrow. pp. 114–115. ISBN 978-0-8108-8024-5.
- ^ Mohanta, Sambaru Chandra (2012). "Pahela Baishakh". In Islam, Sirajul; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir (eds.). Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 10 September 2024.