More than 150 ancient manuscripts and rare
books on the history of the Great Steppe discovered during a scientific
expedition were showcased in Astana. Many of the documents were stored in
private collections and mosques in the Zhambyl, Turkistan, Kyzylorda, and Abai
regions. They are written not only in Arabic but also in Persian, Chagatai, and
Turkic languages. The most notable exhibits are the greatest poetic work of the
revered teacher Khoja Ahmed Yassawi titled «Divan-i Hikmet», which was
published by the Kazan printing house in 1904, as well as a copy of the Holy
Quran.
«The valuable written monuments of the 12th century include the book
by Suleiman Bakyrgani, one of the most outstanding disciples of Khoja Ahmed
Yassawi and the folio titled «Mustafad al-akhbar fi ahwal Qazan wa Bulghar» by
the greatest Tatar historian of the 19th century Shigabuddin Marjani. The
latter one holds great significance as it contains important information about
the history of Kazakhstan and our khans,» said Gulsim Bissenova, chief expert
at the National Center for Manuscripts and Rare Books.
