Through the Looking Glass: Kingly Virtues in Safavid and Mughal Historiography
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored the possible historiographical precedents for this section in the chronicles, and placed particular emphasis on the mirror for princes literature. But they did not consider the role of the princes in the writing of the chronicle.
Abstract: During the reigns of the Safavid Shah ‘Abbās I and the Mughal Emperor Akbar, two chroniclers, one from each dynasty, included in their texts lists of “kingly virtues.” This paper explores the possible historiographical precedents for this section in the chronicles, and places particular emphasis on the “mirrors for princes” literature. The paper concludes with a suggestion that reading the narrative portions of the chronicles in light of the mirrors for princes literature helps us understand why chroniclers may have included certain information in those sections.
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17 Dec 2020TL;DR: A comparative study of Persian historiography from the 16th-17th centuries presents in-depth case analyses alongside a wide array of primary sources written under the Ottomans, Safavids and Mughals to illustrate that Persian history during this era was part of an extensive universe of literary-historical writing as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Persian served as one of the primary languages of historical writing over the period of the early modern Islamic empires of the Ottomans, Safavids and Mughals. Historians writing under these empires read and cited each other's work, some moving from one empire to another, writing under different rival dynasties at various points in time. Emphasising the importance of looking beyond the confines of political boundaries in studying this phenomenon, Sholeh A. Quinn employs a variety of historiographical approaches to draw attention to the importance of placing these histories not only within their historical context, but also historiographical context. This comparative study of Persian historiography from the 16th-17th centuries presents in-depth case analyses alongside a wide array of primary sources written under the Ottomans, Safavids and Mughals to illustrate that Persian historiography during this era was part of an extensive universe of literary-historical writing.
6 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined history-writing in Safavid Iran and the notable chronicle from the time of Shah ʿAbbas I, the Tārīkh-e ǫlam-ārā-ye ʒAbbāsī (TAAA), and rethinks Safavid history.
Abstract: This article examines history-writing in Safavid Iran and, in particular, the notable chronicle from the time of Shah ʿAbbas I, the Tārīkh-e ʿĀlam-ārā-ye ʿAbbāsī (TAAA). It rethinks Safavid history...
1 citations