THE TRADITION OF WRITING ENCYCLOPEDIC WORKS IN ARABIC LITERATURE: A STUDY OF ELKALKAŞANDÎ'S "SUBH AL-A'SHÂ

This study explores the tradition of encyclopedic writing in medieval Arabic literature, focusing on Subh al-A‘shâ by al-Qalqashandī (1355–1418), a monumental fourteen-volume work produced during the Mamluk period. Intended as a guide for clerks and administrators, the work offers detailed insights into the Mamluk state's administrative, diplomatic, and intellectual structures. Beyond its bureaucratic function, Subh al-A‘shâ encompasses literature, history, geography, and other sciences, reflecting the era's encyclopedic spirit. The study examines the work’s content, sources, and role in knowledge transmission, while also comparing it with similar texts to assess the broader development of Arabic encyclopedic literature.