The Cambridge History of Iran, Volume 6: The Timurid and Safavid Periods

The Cambridge History of Iran is an eight-volume survey of Iranian history and culture, and its contribution to the civilisation of the world. All aspects of the religious, philosophical, political, economic, scientific and artistic elements in Iranian civilisation are studied, with some emphasis on the geographical and ecological factors which have contributed to that civilisation's special character. The aim is to provide a collection of readable essays rather than a catalogue of information. The volumes offer scope for the publication of new ideas as well as providing summaries of established facts. They should act as a stimulus to specialists, but are primarily concerned to answer the sort of questions about the past and present of Iran that are asked by the non-specialist. This volume covers the history of Iran from the collapse of the Il-Khanid empire (c. 1335) to the second quarter of the 18th century. The period id of special interest as one which, in the traditional view, witnessed the emergence of Iran as a 'national state'. It is in the latter half of this era that moderate Shi'ism acquired the definitive hold on the country which has been maintained to the present day, and which helps to differentiate Iran from the other Islamic states of south-west Asia. In addition to chapters on commercial and diplomatic contacts with Europe - contacts usually fortified by a common hostility to the Ottoman Turks - which became prominent from the 16th century, the volume contains chapters on social and economic history, the arts and architecture, the exact sciences, religion, philosophy and literature. V. 1. The Land Of Iran / Edited By W. B. Fisher -- V. 2. The Median And Achaemenian Periods / Edited By Ilya Gershevitch -- V. 3. The Seleucid, Parthian, And Sasanian Periods / Edited By Ehsan Yarshater (2 Pts.) -- V. 4. The Period From The Arab Invasion To The Saljuqs / Edited By R. N. Frye -- V. 5. The Saljuq And Mongol Periods / Edited By J. A. Boyle -- V. 6. The Timurid And Safavid Periods / Edited By Peter Jackson And Laurence Lockhart --v. 7. From Nadir Shah To The Islamic Republic / Edited By Peter Avery, Gavin Hambly, And Charles Melville. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes. The Cambridge History of Iran is an eight-volume survey of Iranian history and culture, and its contribution to the civilisation of the world. All aspect of the religious, philosophical, political, economic, scientific and artistic elements in Iranian civilisation are studies, with some emphasis on geographical and ecological factors which have contributed to that civilisation's special character. -- From publisher's description The third volume, published in two parts, is an account of every aspect of Iranian civilisation from the death of Alexander in 323 BC to the advent of Islam in the seventh century AD. It is the most comprehensive study yet published of this very important period of Iran's history. The end of the Il-Khanid empire resulted in Persia, if not in the creation of a vacuum, at any rate in a dilution of power, which worked in favour of various forces contending for authority in the state. Surveys Iranian history and culture and its contribution to the civilization of the world. Covers religious, philosophical, political, economic, scientific and artistic elements in Iranian civilization