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Masnav? Form: An Inquiry of Safavid Legitimacy in Poetry
Abstract
This paper is concerned with intertwined issues of legitimacy and poetry during the Safavid period. I explore the ways poets imaged the kings through the works of masnav?s. Studying the venues of religio-political legitimacy in masnav?s suggests that unlike the popular belief which considers Shi‘ism as one of the main cause of Safavid revolt, Shi‘ism was only a means of power advertisement for the broader audience (the Iranian people and other empires) and a secondary thought for the kings themselves in practicing their daily lives. Safavid epic masnav?s of Shah Ism?‘?l, which narrates the story of the Safavid’s raise to power, introduced the king as descendants of the prophet in addition to assuming far for him, a right that was exclusive for rulers of Persia. The king’s Sufi background was also important as it portrayed the Safavid king with special power in doing unnatural in social and religious life. This right was specific to Imams and spiritual leaders. Distribution of Shi‘ism and other religious inspirations mentioned in these works briefly. Furthermore, I demonstrate after Shah Ism?‘?l new ways of political legitimacy were introduced in masnav?s which not necessarily were related to Shi‘ism. In s?q?n?mah and shahr?sh?b genres, legitimacy of kings was represented in the kings’ relation to palaces and courtly gardens but not the kings’ family lineage or inherited far. During the years which followed by the fall of Safavid dynasty the images of kings in masnav?s emphasized the material aspects of kingship rather than the previously emphasized spiritual features.
Discipline
Literature
Geographic Area
Iran
Sub Area
Persian