Sharaf Khan Bidlisi

Sharaf al-Din Khan b. Shams al-Din b. Sharaf Beg Bedlisi, born on February 25, 1543, in Karahrud, Safavid Iran, was a prominent Kurdish figure who served as the Emir of Bitlis. He was also a respected historian, writer, and poet, who exclusively wrote in Persian. His early life was marked by his father's exile and his subsequent education at the Safavid court under Shah Tahmasb I, where he served as a page from the age of nine. His education encompassed religious studies, including the Quran and Sharia, and practical skills such as martial arts, archery, polo, and swordsmanship. In 1576, he was appointed 'Mir of Mirs' by the Safavids, leading Iranian Kurdish tribes. However, he later aligned with the Ottoman Empire, becoming the Mir of the Emirate of Bitlis in 1578. He actively participated in Ottoman wars against Persia between 1578 and 1588. In 1597, he passed on his dynastic authority to his son, Shams al-Din. His most significant contribution is the Sharafnama, completed in 1597, a monumental work detailing the history of Kurdish dynasties and notable figures. Despite writing in Persian, his work significantly influenced Kurdish literature and society. He was also skilled in mathematics and military strategy.