You can find the full English translation by Philip Khuri Hitti (Vol. 1) and Francis Clark Murgotten (Vol. 2) for free on the Internet Archive Vol. 1 - The Origins of the Islamic State Vol. 2 - The Origins of the Islamic State A Modern Alternative: A newer translation titled History of the Arab Invasions: The Conquest of the Lands (2025) is also available in digital formats. Internet Archive Kitab al-Buldan (by al-Ya'qubi)
The original 1861 Juynboll edition of al-Ya'qubi's Kitab al-Buldan —the Arabic text only—is available for free download on the (archive.org). The digital copy was added to the archive on December 13, 2007. Its metadata notes: "no visible notice of copyright; stated date is 1861".
University digital libraries (such as JSTOR or university repositories) often host translated segments of this work. kitab al-buldan english pdf
: A complete scholarly English translation was published as part of a three-volume set titled The Works of Ibn Wadih al-Ya'qubi PDF Access
Several prominent scholars in Islamic history wrote works titled Kitāb al-Buldān (Book of Lands/Countries). Depending on whether you are looking for military history or geography, these articles and PDF resources are highly recommended: You can find the full English translation by
The Kitab al-Buldan (Book of the Lands) is a foundational title in medieval Islamic geography. Several prominent Muslim scholars authored distinct works under this exact name. Finding an English PDF translation requires knowing which author you need, as their focus ranges from administrative routes to cultural anthropology.
(The Book of Lands), one by and another by al-Yaqubi . Kitab Futuh al-Buldan (by al-Baladhuri) Commonly translated as The Origins of the Islamic State 1 - The Origins of the Islamic State Vol
Ahmad al-Baladhuri was a prominent Islamic historian, geographer, and scholar of the 9th century. Born in Baghdad, Iraq, around 820 CE, al-Baladhuri was well-versed in various fields, including history, geography, and literature. He traveled extensively throughout the Islamic world, gathering information and data that would later become the foundation of his notable works. The Kitab al-Buldan is one of his most celebrated writings, showcasing his expertise in geography and historical scholarship.
Written around 903 CE, this work combines geography with folklore and literary anecdotes. Availability
Kitab al-Buldan , or "The Book of Countries," written by the 9th-century geographer and historian , is a seminal work in the history of Islamic geography and human geography at large. For researchers, students of history, and enthusiasts of medieval geography, finding the Kitab al-Buldan English PDF is the first step toward exploring a detailed, firsthand account of the Abbasid Caliphate and its neighboring regions during the golden age of Islamic scholarship.