Professor I. Zhemenei`s lecture of the course "Chagatai language and written monuments"

On March 12, 2026, the 8th lecture of the open course “Chagatai Language and Written Monuments” was held. The course was jointly organized by the Research Center “Written Monuments and Spiritual Heritage” at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, the Rare Books and Manuscripts Department of the National Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University and Gylym Ordasy.

An open lecture was held at the National Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan by the prominent orientalist scholar Islam Zhemenei – Doctor of Philology, Professor, Director of the “Turan-Iran” Research Center at Al‑Farabi Kazakh National University and Honored Cultural Worker of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The lecture was titled “Tarikh‑i Rashidi by Mirza Haidar Dulatі: Historical and Cultural Significance, Issues of Research and Translation.”

During the lecture, the scholar discussed the historical and cultural significance of the renowned work Tarikh-i Rashidi written by the medieval historian and statesman Mirza Muhammad Haidar Dulatі. Particular attention was given to the challenges and complexities encountered in studying and translating the manuscript.

Professor I.Zhemenei also explained the historical and textual reasons why the author, previously widely referred to as “Dulati,” is more accurately identified as “Dulat.” In addition, he highlighted several commonly used words and names in modern Kazakh scholarship that require correction from a historical and linguistic perspective.

The lecture was attended by more than ten researchers, faculty members, and doctoral students. The audience followed the presentation with great interest. At the end of the lecture, participants engaged in an active discussion and asked questions related to the topic.

Research Center “Written Monuments and Spiritual Heritage”