Journal of Historical Researches
Year:2010 | Volume:46 | Issue:2 (6)|Papers Count:7

The collapse of Ilkhanid government pushed Iran into a period of instability and political disintegration. After the death of Ilkhan Abu-Saeied (1335), a contest for power and dominance of the Ilkhanid legacy begun, participated by a number of forces. Consequently the country was divided into several local states that lasted more than half a century until the end of 14th century. This article investigates how these forces dealt with the issue of legitimacy and illustrates the principles that rival elements used in order to gain legitimacy. These principles can be studied in four groups: Mongolian, Iranian, Sunnite and Shiite concepts.Mongol tribes used the Holiness of Chengiz family and their exclusive right to govern, whereas the Sunnite political concepts such as dissimulation of religiosity and relation to caliph were used by Sunnite states of Al-e-Kort and Muzzaffarides. Shia concepts like fighting against cruelty and wait for promised Mahdi were referred by Sarbedars, and finally, Iranian concepts like kingdom, enmity between Iran-Turan and the name of Iran, differently used by most of rulers of this period.Among these four groups of concepts, Mongolian and Sunnite principles gradually were sidetracked. However, Iranian and Shiite ones remained and reflected in Safavid movement.Mixing of these two at the beginning of 15th century led to establishment of central government and national unity in Iran.

Iran's contemporary literary until the last year of Safavid period was based on Indian or Isfahani style. There is a different viewpoint, or some times contradiction, about this style from the middle of 12 century until to date. Some people know this era as the literary decline. There is another firm idea about exaltation and riches of this style to other style of literary Iranian. In this essay from view of history and literature the current is studied and we consider the weak and strong point of the current literary of the last year of the Safavid era. This literary current was continued to middle of 12 century. Second part of this century in literature was famed to literary return (bazgasht). Consideration of field and historical situation of this transformation and describe of weak and strong point of this is another subject of research. Description of historical texts will be also studied. In this period the important problem, according to this essay, is the consideration of historical era that current literary had been emerged. With an emphasis on role of Isfahan to this subject, particularly poetry and prose on this era. Quality and time of living of Indian style, and effect of transformation in return literary and comparative comparison of this current in Iran and Europe in view of history.

The power struggle between Allavid and Abbasid is a well-known subject when studying the transition after of the second century. It is argued here that one of the most important symbols of this challenge in comparison of Mansur and Muhammad Ibn Abdollah, that is different dimensions of capturing of Hassanid in Hashemie`s prison needs more scholarly attention. The purpose of this article is to study the reasons of imprisoning of Hassanid with an analytic-descriptive approach and reviewing the narratives. It aims to present a more exact report of imprisoned Hassanids with a focus on the difference between their numbers and names.This study aims to show that Mansur`s disappointment of finding of Muhammad and Ibrahim, sons of Abdollah Mahz, and disappointment of their allegiance, obliged him to take them as hostages so as to impose on them an emotional and unplanned action while applying emotional pressure. This action ended in the removing of the main protectors of Muhammad`s action and caused the death of nine of prisoners in the period of imprisonment.

During the Islamic era Iranian artists tried to obtain a high level of embellishment in architectural elements with the stucco by their knowledge of technology in gypsum & its properties. Gypsum mosaic is a unique kind of architectural decoration which has recognized only during a short period of time in Safavid dynasty. According to a technical view, gypsum mosaics can be divided in two main groups. The first and more important one is carved gypsum mosaic or "tokhmeh gozari". The other one is multiple layer gypsum mosaic or "tokhmeh daravari". The creators of these decorations, in the both methods, used a mixture of gypsum powder and mineral pigments to prepare colored plasters were needed in their artistic design. This paper, based on results of technical & experimental studies, will explain the terminology, the different steps of production, as well as the advantages and also limitations of carved gypsum mosaics or tokhmeh gozari. It will also introduce the historical buildings which have adorned with this kind of decoration. At the end of the article a new question will be made:  that according to its hypothesis the general aspect of the next researches in the field of the gypsum mosaic decorations could be presented?

Inscriptions are one of the most important historical references that are vital to the study of ancient history. Not only with studying inscriptions helps us directly understand very important historical point, but also we can challenge existing doubts and prejudices. According to historical linguistics, there are different subjects: political, military, social, cultural and economical subjects and also the changes in the regulations. While the most important subject in the Achaemenids inscriptions which can be surveyed in the side of religious scopes, such as monotheism and religious negligence upon the beliefs of the followers. At the other side it contains moral values such as truthfulness, honesty, gratefulness and freedom. These values all show the peaceful religious policy of the Achaemenids kings and also show their lawful positions.Undoubtedly, the most amount of the Achaemenids inscriptions are related to Darius the Great (BC 521-486) and the most special epigraph among all is the Bistoon inscription which is so important in the historical researches. By studying these inscriptions we can not only understand the historical points of the era but also to a considerable degree the religious policy of the Achaemenids. In this essay, with the great inspection of the Achaemenids inscription, it has been made efforts to find out how the religious policy and the legal position of the Achaemenids king were gained at the period.

The series of wars between Persia and Greek, and the effective elements and factors in Achaemenid conquests, have received a fair deal of scholarly attention. However, what generally has been neglected is the propaganda used by both rival sides. The Achaemenid inscriptions and accounts of Greek historians suggest that the Persians and Greeks were not negligent in applying propaganda and anti- propaganda methods in different levels against together. The Persians in their conquests attempted, on various levels, to influence the subject of ethics and nations by the authority and greatness of their empire. The Greeks, particularly, were not an exception; the Persians in their expeditions to Greek showed that how much the use of propaganda manners can weaken the enemy and calling up the Greek allies. Sending messengers for gathering of information, to contact with effective forces such as the Greek temples Delphi, Branchidai, Magnesia, to propagandize the power and gracefulness of the Great King, the numerous number of royal army, sharing of more ethics and nations in expeditions, the celebration of various warlike matches, to review army in different places, the issuance of declaration and establishment of the steles in coquetted areas are propaganda cases that the Achaemenid used both in their conquests. Accordingly, this paper studies the Persian’s propaganda policy through survey of elements and ways of their propaganda in the Medic wars.

Nazer Boyoutat is among Safavid’s inventive posts and characteristic for this period in particular. This post in the bureaucratic category of the period can be called as a part of court rank and imperial organization. And like other ranks of Safavid period, it had additional functions, such as office or military affairs. After the economic reformation of Shah Abbas that influenced itself in the Boyoutat Saltanaty, the position of Nazer Boyoutat grew even more powerful than before.Briefly one could say in the Safavid period, there were boyoutats (workshops) that were preparing materials for the court such as food, clothing, military weapons, and places, etc. Each workshop had Sahebjam (boss), Moshref (inspector) and Nazer Boyoutat was primer supervisor of all these workshops. In fact he was the head of special part of bureaucracy in Safavid court. It should be pointed out that Botoutat Saltanaty was using of a highly advanced and modern structure, and this proved very profitable for the king and the Safavid government. After the decline of Safavid dynasty, in spite of some parallel structures, there were no similar roles that of Nazer Boyoutat in the Iranian administrative history. The main research question is to identify the responsibilities of Nazer Boyoutat in the Safavid period. Also, what was the function of Boyoutat Saltanaty as a main function of Nazer Boyoutat?This research will use the travel accounts and administrative scripts from the Safavid period to study Boyoutat Saltanaty and the responsibilities of Nazer Boyoutat.