Origins & Early Life

Magtymguly Pyragy (Persian: مخدوم قلی فراغی Makhdumqoli Farāghi; Turkmen: Magtymguly Pyragy, IPA: [ˌmɑʁtɯmɢʊˈɫʊ ˌpɯɾɑːˈʁɯ]; c. 1724 – 1807), born Magtymguly, was an Iranian-Turkmen spiritual leader, philosophical poet, Sufi and traveller, who is considered one of the most famous figures in Turkmen literary history. Magtymguly is credited with the creation of Turkmen written literature, and his literary form became a symbol of the historical and the incipient national consciousness of the Turkmen people. He is part of a unique period in the cultural history of Central Asia, with his personal poetic synthesis being influential to following generations of poets of the region.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The poems of the Turkmen poet have been translated into many languages including English, Russian, Kyrgyz, Romanian. In a wider context, Magtymguly is often placed alongside major figures of the Turkic literary world such as Hoja Ahmad Yasawi, Yunus Emre, Ali-Shir Nava'i and Fizuli. Magtymguly was born in Haji Qushan, a village near the city of Gonbad-e Qabus in the modern-day province of Golestan, Iran, the northern steppes of which are known as Turkmen Sahra (Turkmen...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

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