The word Ba’irah in Muruj al-Zahab of Al Mas’udi
By H. C. Ray
Summary
In this brief note the author addresses a philological puzzle in al‑Mas‘ūdi’s tenth‑century chronicle Muruj al‑Zahab. A word recorded as ‘Ba’īrah’ appears in a passage describing a ruling family, but its meaning has been unclear. By examining the Arabic script and the possibility of dot omissions, the author argues that the correct reading is ‘Pa’īrah’, corresponding to the Sanskrit term ‘Pratīhāra’, the name of an Indian dynasty. The note points out that the Arabic letters for ‘b’ and ‘p’ can be easily confused when diacritical marks are omitted, and cross‑references the passage with Indian historical sources to support the identification with the Pratīhāra dynasty. Recognising this error clarifies the historical reference and highlights the importance of careful palaeographic analysis when dealing with foreign names in Arabic manuscripts. Correcting the reading helps to illuminate Indo‑Arab relations recorded by medieval historians and prevents misinterpretation based on scribal mistakes.
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Conclusion
The author concludes that the problematic word in al‑Mas‘ūdi’s text should be read as ‘Pratīhāra’, pointing to the Indian dynasty rather than an unknown term. This insight underscores the necessity of scrutinising diacritical marks in Arabic manuscripts, especially when foreign names are involved. Clarifying the reading not only resolves a linguistic puzzle but also enhances our understanding of medieval Indo‑Arab connections. The note demonstrates how careful philology can correct historical records and cautions historians against accepting misleading manuscript readings without analysis.