Document Type : Scientific-Research
Authors
1 department of history. Faculty of Literature. university of isfahan isfahan, iran
2 department of history, Faculty of Literatureuniversity of isfahan, isfahan, iran
3 department of history, Faculty of Literature, university of isfahan, isfahan. iran
Abstract
In the early decades of the Safavid state, during the period of conquest and consolidation, the Qizilbash military aristocracy held a significant share of power within the government structure. However, following the stabilization of the Safavid rule and as a result of political leaders’ efforts to reduce the influence ofthe Qizilbash military forces, a gradual transformation occurred in the nature of these forces. Consequently, some Qizilbash military figures distanced themselves from purely military functions and traditional warrior roles, engaging instead in administrative, literary, and artistic pursuits. Given the importance of this subject in Safavid studies, this research, adopting a descriptive-analytical approach, examines the military structure of the Qizilbash and the conflict between the "men of the pen" and the "men of the sword."It aims to explore and explain the literary activities and orientations of high-ranking Qizilbash commanders during the reign of Shah Tahmasp. The central question addressed in this study is: What factors contributed to the shift in status and function of certain members of the Qizilbash military aristocracy, leading them to engage in literary and cultural matters?The findings of this research indicate that the policy of limiting the power of the Qizilbash, Shah Tahmasp’s religious and educational policies, personal interests and inclinations, early childhood education, experience in governance and administration among certain Qizilbash tribal leaders, favorable economic conditions andcultural influences stemming from living and being raised in cities and provinces with arich cultural and economic heritage facilitated the transition ofsome Qizilbash warriors into the ranks ofpoets and literary figures.
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