Ibn Hawqal

Ibn Hawqal, Abu al-Qasim ibn Ali al-Nasibi (birth year unknown – died after 977), an Arab geographer and traveler. He journeyed across numerous countries spanning from Spain to India.

In the mid-10th century, he visited Tbilisi. He is the author of the treatise The Book of Routes and Kingdoms (Kitab al-Masalik wa al-Mamalik). Within this work, significant space is dedicated to physical geographical data, stories about economic and cultural nature, and historical-ethnographical materials, alongside detailed descriptions of the cities of the South Caucasus. Unlike his predecessors, Ibn Hawqal provides an extensive account of Tbilisi: "In size, it is second only to Bab al-Abwab (Derbent). It is surrounded by a double clay wall with three gates; in its prosperity, it surpasses other rich states and fertile countries... The city represents an important frontier outpost; it is situated on the Mtkvari River. In Tbilisi, there are floating mills that grind wheat. In Tbilisi, security and hospitality reign for foreigners. Here, everyone, even those who arrive among them by chance, is treated amicably, whoever possesses even the slightest understanding or knowledge of science."

He further notes that the Muslims of Tbilisi were Sunnis. Additionally, he is the first historical author to mention the Qadi of Tbilisi.

Literature: სიხარულიძე ე., იბნ ჰაუკალი თბილისის შესახებ, კრ. საქართველოს ისტორიის აღმოსავლური მასალები, წგ. 1, თბ., 1976.

E. Sikharulidze