Ketab-e Anusi

Ketāb-e Anūsi (The Book of the Forced Converts) written by Bābāi’ Ben Loṭf the Judeo-Persian poet was compiled during the Safavid era. Ketāb-e Anūsi narrates events relevant to Iranian Jewish communities that took place in the reigns of Shah ‘Abbas I, Shah Safi I, and early Shah ‘Abbas II during the years of 1613-1660. This period was very bitter for the Jews of Iran and persecutions followed the Jews from city to city. Bābāi’ Ben Farhād, the grandson or great-grandson of Bābāi’ Ben Loṭf, about seventy years later continued the reports of Ketāb-e Anūsi in his chronicle named Ketāb-e Sargozasht-e Kāshān (The Chronicle of Kashan). This brief chronicle continues with the period of Shah Abbas II as well as describing the torment of the Jewish population when Afghanistan invaded Iran (1722-1730) to overthrow the Safavid dynasty and the bloody battles that followed. Mashiah ben Raphael, following Bābāʾī Ben Farhad, added about 200 lines to Ketāb-e Anusi. Treating the resistance of the Jews of Kasahn against a seven month, forced conversion during the period of Shah Tahmasb II and the rise of Afghans.