Zahabiya’s Socio-Political Activities from the Fall of Isfahan until the Rise of Qajar (1210-1135 AH)

Document Type : ..

Authors

Abstract

Zahabiye dynasty, despite having all-round support of Safavid government (907-1135 AH), encountered events like sudden collapse of Isfahan and its subsequent events, including the reign of Afsharid and Zandiyeh dynasties (1209-1149 AH). Nonetheless, no systematic and independent research has so far been conducted on the trend of socio-political activities of this dynasty. Given that, the present study aims at studying the interactions and manners of Zahabiya dynasty with the political authority during the years before the emergence of Qajar dynasty (1210-1343 AH). It attempts to elucidate the matter using main sources and sect-related sources of Zahabiya dynasty. According to research findings, Zahabiya sect attempted for bringing back the Safavid dynasty to the throne during Afghans era. This sect experienced recession and isolation in Nader Shah era, due to his particular religious policies.  Nonetheless, the sect reached its peak once more upon the selection of Shiraz as the capital city and Karim Khan’s devotion to the Zahabi pole of his time.  Thus, the Zahabis’ terms of conduct in interaction with positioning of Afghan, Afsharid, and Zandiyeh sovereignties were formed; the positioning which was meaningfully extended to Safavids as well.

Keywords