Abu Rayhan Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Biruni, known as al-Biruni, was a Khwarazmian Iranian scholar and polymath during the Islamic Golden Age. He has been called variously the "founder of Indology", "Father of Comparative Religion", "Father of modern geodesy", Founder of Indology and the first anthropologist.
An imaginary rendition of Al Biruni on a 1973 Soviet postage stamp
An illustration from al-Biruni's astronomical works, explains the different phases of the Moon, with respect to the position of the Sun.
Four directions and Political divisions of Iran by Abū Rayḥān al-Bīrūnī
The statue of Al-Biruni in United Nations Office in Vienna
Khwarazm or Chorasmia is a large oasis region on the Amu Darya river delta in western Central Asia, bordered on the north by the (former) Aral Sea, on the east by the Kyzylkum Desert, on the south by the Karakum Desert, and on the west by the Ustyurt Plateau. It was the center of the Iranian Khwarezmian civilization, and a series of kingdoms such as the Afrighid dynasty and the Anushtegin dynasty, whose capitals were Kath, Gurganj and—from the 16th century on—Khiva. Today Khwarazm belongs partly to Uzbekistan and partly to Turkmenistan.
Chorasmian fresco from Kazakly-Yatkan (fortress of Akcha-Khan Kala), 1st century BC-2nd century AD.
Chilpyk Zoroastrian Tower of Silence (Dakhma), 1st century BC – 1st century AD
Xerxes I tomb, Choresmian soldier circa 470 BC.
Koi Krylgan Kala fortress (4th-3rd century BC)
