| ID | 177795 |
| Title Proper | Written representation of temporal power in Safavid material culture |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Khoshkhoosani, Pouye |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | This paper examines the notions of Shiʿism and kingship in Safavid cultural materials (coins, architectural inscriptions, enthronement orations, and panegyrics) to trace the role of Safavid ideology in the dynasty’s transformation from a Sufi order into a monarchic institution with a sectarian identity. It examines these materials in order to reconstruct the dominant ideology of the Safavids in various venues. Examination of the ideologies of Safavid rulership shows a marked difference between ideologies expressed in these cultural mediums. We argue that this difference points to a multi-pronged Safavid strategy of projecting political legitimacy in distinct registers for different audiences. By combining ideologies that were embraced and practiced by people of different regions and sects in the Persian empire before the Safavids, the Safavid monarchs managed to spread widely their power within the empire and beyond, to change the religio-political ideology of the empire, and to remain in power for more than two centuries. |
| `In' analytical Note | Iranian Studies Vol. 54, No.1-2; Jan-Apr 2021: p.3-40 |
| Journal Source | Iranian Studies Vol: 54 No 1-2 |
| Key Words | Ideology ; Legitimacy ; Shiʿism ; Safavid Dynasty ; Cultural Material ; Safavid Coins ; Architectural Inscriptions ; Enthronement Orations ; Panegyrics |