Power, Politics and Religion in Timurid Iran

Abstract

Beatrice Forbes Manz uses the history of Iran under the Timurid ruler Shahrukh (1409–1447) to analyse the relationship between government and society in the medieval Middle East. She provides a rich portrait of Iranian society over an exceptionally broad spectrum - the dynasty and its servitors, city elite and provincial rulers, and the religious classes, both ulama' and Sufi. The work addresses two issues central to pre-modern Middle Eastern history: how a government without the monopoly of force controlled a heterogeneous society, and how a society with diffuse power structures remained stable over long periods. Written for an audience of students as well as scholars, this book provides a broad analysis of political dynamics in late medieval Iran and challenges much received wisdom about civil and military power, the relationship of government to society, and the interaction of religious figures with the ruling class.

Iranian Elites under the Timurids

“…One example is two druggists from the bazar of Shiraz, who served in the army in Fars and rose to the status of commander, apparently through royal favor. 42 In a number of cases we simply hear of regional armies with their commanders or of the sardārān (commanders) of a particular region, one or two of whom may be named.43 For instance the history of Shāhrukh's reign mentions sardārs of Qum and Kashan taking part in Shāhrukh's campaigns under the Chaghatay governor.44 There is some suggestion of an hereditary military elite: in one battle the history states that one tümen of the prince Iskandar's army was made up of sardārs or children of sardārs of Fars. These deserted in battle to join the ranks of the Isfahani opponents.45 Another soldier probably of urban origin who campaigned in the provincial army was the historian Tāj al-Dīn Ḥasan Yazdī, mentioned earlier for his discussion of his superior, Ḥāfiẓ al-Dīn Rāzī.…”

Trajectories of State Formation across Fifteenth-Century Islamic West-Asia

“…Different sets of these particular state actors, and their huge personalized resources, continued to influence successions and the political stability within the Sultanate throughout the fifteenth century. A handful of these men, including figures such as Jaqmaq (r. 1438-53), Inal (r. 1453-61), Khushqadam (r. 1461-7), Qaytbay (r. 1468-96) and Qansawh (r. 1501-16), even managed to 15 Igarashi,Land Tenure and Mamluk Waqfs,[42][43][44][45]Van Steenbergen & Termonia,"State Formation,Military Entrepreneurship,and Waqfisation". rise to the highest court office of sultan after long careers of service and of resource accumulation.…”

In the Shadow of the Mongol Empire

“…63 Tamerlane's standing army leaned heavily on Turco-Mongolian Chaghataid soldiers, "who had originated as the nomad population of the Ulus Chaghatay." 64 Seizure of key Ilkhanid sites strengthened Tamerlane's claims on Chinggisid authority. In 1384, Tamerlane seized Sul _ tāniyya, the location of the mausoleum of Öljeitü (r. 1305-16), an Ilkhnate ruler.…”