The Practice of Politics in Safavid Iran: Power, Religion and Rhetoric (British Institute of Persian Studies)

"The Safavid dynasty originated as a fledgling apocalyptic mystical movement based in Iranian Azarbaijan, and grew into a large, cosmopolitan Irano-Islamic empire stretching from Baghdad to Herat. Here Colin Mitchell examines how the Safavid state introduced and moulded a unique and vibrant political discourse which reflected the social and religious heterogeneity of sixteenth-century Iran. Beginning with the millenarian-minded Shah Isma'il and concluding with the autocrat par excellence, Shah Abbas, Mitchell explores the phenomenon of state-sponsored rhetoric. He focuses on the large corpus of epistles, letters and missives produced by a developed Safavid chancellery which show how the Safavids forged and negotiated their political and religious sovereignty in a diverse and complex environment. A thorough investigation of the Safavid state and the significance of rhetoric, power and religion in its functioning, "The Practice of Politics in Safavid Iran" is indispensable for all those interested in Iranian history and politics as well as the wider world of Middle East studies."--Bloomsbury publishing. The Safavid Dynasty Originated As A Fledgling Apocalyptic Mystical Movement Based In North-west Iran, And Grew Into A Large, Cosmopolitan Perso-islamic Empire Stretching From Baghdad To Heart. During This Golden Era In Iran's History, From The Sixteenth To The Eighteenth Centuries, Fucntionaries Of The Safavid 'state' Introduced And Moulded A Unique And Vibrant Political Discourse Which Reflected The Social And Religious Heterogeneity Of The Sixteenth-century Iranian Landscape. Beginning With The Millenarian-minded Shah Isma'il And Concluding With The Autocrat Par Excellence, Shah Abbas, Colin P. Mitchell Elucidates The Phenomenon Of State-sponsored Rhetoric, And Helps Us Understand How This Dynasty Articulated Their Political And Religious Sovereignty During A Crucial Phase Of Iranian History.--jacket. Colin P. Mitchell. A Joint Publication With The British Institute Of Persian Studies Includes Bibliographical References (p. [203]-286) And Index. The Safavid dynasty originated as a fledgling apocalyptic mystical movement based in Iranian Azarbaijan, and grew into a large, cosmopolitan Irano-Islamic empire stretching from Baghdad to Herat. Here, Colin P. Mitchell examines how the Safavid state introduced and moulded a unique and vibrant political discourse, reflecting the social and religious heterogeneity of sixteenth-century Iran. Beginning with the millenarian-minded Shah Isma'il and concluding with the autocrat par excellence, Shah Abbas, Mitchell explores the phenomenon of state-sponsored rhetoric. A thorough investigation of the Safavid state and the significance of rhetoric, power and religion in its functioning, The Practice of Politics in Safavid Iran is indispensable for all those interested in Iranian history and politics and Middle East studies.