PREFACE

This book is intended to elucidate an important point in the biography of Nasir-i Khusraw. The famous mediaeval poet and philosopher of Persia, which until now has remained rather obscure. It is his real relations with Ismailism. Although the deplorable scarcity of reliable information does not permit us to do this with the desired degree of finality, it is hoped, nevertheless, that what has been said here constitutes a step forward in that direction.

The legend, or cycle of legends, which has grown around Nasir's name, has been deliberately ignored here. These legends by themselves may present a fascinating subject of research for specialists in folklore, perhaps of much wider interest than merely for the biography of the worthy. But for our purposes references to the legend would merely introduce confusion and complicate our work.

I have to offer my sincere thanks to those of my Ismaili friends who gave me their valuable assistance in this study, and the "Ismaili Society" who have kindly taken up the publication of this note in their series.
Bombay, May, 1947.

W. IVANOW.