Magtumguly Pyragy

Magtymguly Pyragy
A modern artistic depiction of Magtymguly Pyragy
Born	(1724-05-18)May 18, 1724 Haji Qushan, Gonbad-e Qabus, Safavid Empire
Died	c. 1807 (aged 82–83)
Resting place	Aq Taqeh-ye Qadim, Golestan Province, Safavid Empire
Occupation	Poet
Language	Turkmen

Magtymguly Pyragy (Persian: مختوم‌قلی فراغی Makhtumqoli Faraghi; Turkmen: Magtymguly Pyragy; 1724 – c. 1807) was a Turkmen spiritual leader and philosophical poet who made significant efforts to secure independence and for his people in the 18th century.

Magtymguly is widely believed to have been born in the Hajygowshan village near Gonbad-e Qabus city in what is now the Iranian province of Golestan, the northern steppes of which are known as Turkmen Sahra ("Turkmen steppes"). In his poetry, Magtymguly says “Tell those who enquire about me that I am a Gerkez, I hail from Etrek and my name is Makhtumkuli,” identifying his homeland as the banks of the Etrek River and expressing his identity through his tribe.

He received his early education in the Persian and Arabic languages from his father Döwletmämmet Azady (Persian: دولتمحمد آزادی), a leading scholar at that time. He went on to study in various madrassahs, including the Idris Baba Madrassah in the village of Gyzyl Ayak, the Madrassah of Shir Gazi Khan in Khiva, and may have also studied in Bukhara for some time. Upon his return home, Magtymguly worked as a silversmith while he taught and wrote. He went on to develop a realistic style of writing about 18th century Turkmen that proved very popular and ultimately led to him becoming one of the most cherished Turkmen poets of all time. He was also a devout naqshbandi Sufist who was said to have traveled throughout all the lands comprising modern Turkmenistan, teaching and praying for the salvation of his people.

Not much is known about Magtymguly's family life. He was unable to marry Mengli, the woman that he loved, yet it seems he was married to someone else. His elder brothers Abdulla and Mahammetsupa disappeared, and his children died young. Magtymguly was also pained by the loss of his father, with whom he had maintained close scholarly relations throughout his life.