Reflection of Iranian Governance Pattern in Khaje Nizam Al-Mulks’ Siyâsat-Nàma

Author
faculty of Humanities, University of Sistan and Baluchistan, Sistan and Baluchistan, Iran
Abstract
The royal institution in ancient Iran involved implications such as race, splendor, and personality. Ahura Mazda brokerage, construction and development, border protection, justice, and religiosity were the functions of royal institution and developed according to the requirements of the time. However, with the arrival of Islam, the royal institution was initially rejected and discouraged; but after a while, it prevailed on the Arab tribal teachings and became the supreme prototype of governance pattern. Investigation of Iranian rulers after Islam and even during Arab caliphs on whether or not the requirements of the royal institution were responsible for its functions (referred to the duties of caliph or Islamic rulers) indicates the importance of these elements in that period. In some texts of the Islamic period including the letter of Tahir to his son Abdullah, we can find the reflection of the aforementioned royal functions; but due to a change in some of the requirements and functions, the book Siyâsat-Nàma of Nizam al-Mulk is the first text of the Islamic period that has focused on them fully and comprehensively. With emphasis on the central role of the king and the royal institution functions, Nizam al-Mulk tried to change the Seljuk tribal government into the one with Iranian governance pattern. Taking into account an analytical approach, this paper tries to investigate the functions and requirements of the royal institution that is the center of Iranian governance pattern in Siyâsat-Nàma and effort of Nizam al-Mulk for changing Seljuk tribe's attitude.

Keywords

Subjects


[1] Artaxerxes Instruction, (1969). Translated by Mohammad Ali Imam Shoshtary, Tehran: National Heritage Association publications.
[2] Avesta, (2008). J. Doostkhah Report, 13th Edition, Tehran: Morvarid.
[3] Bosworth, C.E. (1968), “The Political and Dynastic History of Iranian World”, in History of Iran, Cambridge Volume V, Cambridge University Press.
[4] Dinevary, Abu Hanifeh, (1989). Akhbar Altaval, Qom: Manshorat-Alrazi.
[5] Ferdowsi Tusi, A., (2007). Shahnameh, based on the Moscow Edition, Third Edition, Tehran: Hermes.
[6] Fischer, Michael, (2003). Iran: From Religious Dispute to Revolution, London: University of Wisconsin Press.
[7] Ghazali, Mohammad, (1954). Ghazalis Letters, Tehran: Avicennas Bookstore.
[8] Ibn Taghtagha, (1997). The history of Fakhri, Beirut: Dar al-Qalam.
[9] Herbert, M.G and Loewe, M.A,(1923), Seljuqs, in Cambridge Medieval History, UK: Cambridge University Press.
[10] Joveini, Montejeb-aldin, (2005). Atebat-al-Kotobeh: Letters of Sanjar Court, Tehran: Asatir.
[11] Morsalpour, M., (2010). The process of rebuilding royal institution from the third century to the fifth century, doctoral dissertation of The history of Iran during the Islamic era, Isfahan, University of Isfahan.
[12] Morsalpour, M., & Allahyari, F., (2008), “The religious Policy of Kerman Seljuks”, Journal of Historical Research, the second year, Issue III, University of Sistan and Baluchistan.
[12] Masoudi, Abu Hassan, (1988). Meadows of Gold and Metals Essence, Qom: Dar al-Hejreh.
[13] Nakhjavani, Hindushah, (1978). Advances of Experiences, by the effort of Abbas Iqbal, Tehran: Tahuri publications.
[14] Nizam Al-Mulk Tusi, (2005). Siyâsat Nàma , edited by J. Shoar, Tehran: Corporation of Pocket Book.
[15] Procopius, (1914). History of Wars: Book 1 the Persian war. With an English translation by H.B Bewing, London: Henemann –Newyork: Macmillan.
[16] Zadesparam (1987). Selective of Zadesparam, translated by Mohammad Taghi Rashed Mohassel, Tehran: Institute for Cultural Research and Studies.
[17] Sadr Uddin Ali Hosseini, (1933), News of government and Seljuk, corrected by Mohammad Iqbal, Lahore, Fan jab publication.
[18] Safi, Omid, (2006). The Politics of Knowledge in Pre-Modern Islam: Negotiating Ideology and Religious Inquiry, Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press.
[19] Sauders, J., (1962). The Seljuk Turks and Their Place in History, History Today, May 1.
[20] Shimoyama, Tomoko, (2016). “Religion and Politics in Seljuq period”, Sophia Journal of Asian, African and Middle Eastern Studies, Shopia University.
[21] Thaalibi, (1900). The History of Thaalibi, Paris: imprimerie nationale.
[22] Tabatabaei, J., (2004). A Philosophical Introduction to the History of Political Thought in Iran, Tehran: Kavir Publication.
[23] Tabari, Mohammad Ibn Jarir, (1967). History of Tabari, Second Edition, Beirut: Dar al-Torath.
[24] Tansar Letter, (1975). Edited by M. Minoyee, Second Edition, Tehran: Kharazmi.