Who was most likely the intended audience of al Beruni's excerpts?

Al-Biruni was a prominent Persian scholar and polymath of the Islamic Golden Age who made significant contributions to various fields, including historiography, mathematics, and astronomy. His works often displayed a deep understanding of both Islamic culture and the cultures of the regions he studied, particularly India.

The excerpts from al-Biruni are primarily intended for Islamic scholars. This audience is important because al-Biruni sought to foster a greater understanding of Indian culture, science, and philosophy within the Islamic world. By documenting and analyzing the practices and beliefs of the people of India, al-Biruni aimed to enrich the knowledge base of scholars in the Islamic community, encouraging cross-cultural intellectual exchange.

Furthermore, al-Biruni's writings were characterized by a strong emphasis on empirical observation and critical analysis, methodologies that would resonate with scholars deeply invested in the pursuit of knowledge. His focus on presenting an accurate and comprehensive portrayal of the Indian subcontinent would particularly appeal to Islamic scholars who were interested in understanding other cultures and contributing to the broader intellectual discourse of their time.