| چکیده انگلیسی مقاله |
The death of Shah Tahmasb Safavid triggered a decade of unprecedented succession crises marked by chaos and disorder. Domestic violence and inability to defend the territory against enemy attacks led to governmental insecurity and threatened its survival. The actions of the Stajlu tribe, which placed Shah Abbas on the throne, ultimately ended this turmoil. The primary challenge during the reign of Shah Abbas (996 to 1038 AH) was to establish security to ensure the survival and stability of the Safavid system. Achieving this required implementation of non-personal mechanisms that facilitated the control and distribution of political power. This political organization emerged through the interaction of the ruling elites and gradually stabilized over time. The consolidation of power allowed for the transformation of obligations into laws, which helped eliminate factors disrupting political organization and fostered trust among stakeholders. The reduction of distrust was a significant outcome of this power distribution, contributing to the stability of the Safavid dynasty. This article explored the reasons, elements, and social consequences that influenced the political system of this period, positing that the political system was a result of the interaction among the ruling elites rather than solely personal actions. Keywords: Safavid, Concentration of Power, Interactions, Political System, Stability. Introduction The reign of Shah Abbas I (996-1038 AH) is particularly noteworthy due to the political succession crisis that preceded his accession to the throne. The turmoil following Shah Tahmasb's death created a chaotic environment, seriously threatening the survival of the Safavid dynasty. The primary challenge for Shah Abbas was to establish security and ensure the stability of the regime. This was achievable through impersonal mechanisms for controlling power. Being developed through a gradual process of agreement and interaction among governmental elements, these mechanisms enabled the system to shape the political relations of the time. The significance of this period lies in the effort to eliminate uncertainty following insecurity driven by the commitment of the ruling elites to uphold the status quo. Such stability could not be attained through individual actions alone. Therefore, understanding how collective agreements were formed is crucial for evaluating this historical period. However, in the works of researchers, such as Hintz, Roimer, Sivori, Colin Mitchell, and Nasrollah Falsafi, person-centered and individualistic interpretations influenced by contemporary thinking have predominated. They attribute the prosperity of Shah Abbas's era primarily to his cleverness and intelligence, often neglecting the broader political and social contexts of the time. Assuming that the distinctiveness of this period arose from its political and social contexts, this article aimed to answer the question: What causes and factors contributed to the emergence of elite interaction and political organization during Shah Abbas's reign? Materials & Methods This research employed a historical-developmental method that explained historical events by examining the processes related to events both before and after them. This approach treated historical phenomena as processes, analyzing historical events alongside human relations and interactions. Therefore, understanding social action necessitated a comprehension of the historical conditions of the period in question. Accordingly, each historical event was regarded as a specific incident requiring separate analysis and investigation; however, it had to be evaluated within the broader process it influenced as well. It is important to note that not every event had a direct and significant relationship with the overarching process of a period. Nevertheless, the possibility had to be acknowledged that the outcomes of an event could sometimes indirectly impact the process and its results. For instance, the ambiguity surrounding succession following Shah Tahmasb's death led to violent conflicts that, while primarily a political event, resulted in an unprecedented political crisis for the Safavid regime. Lasting over a decade, this crisis posed a significant threat to the survival of the government. Efforts to address this crisis were achieved solely through the interaction and agreement of power groups during this historical period, a crucial issue that this article addressed. Research Findings Following a century of rule, the Safavid dynasty faced a significant political crisis after the death of Shah Tahmasb, a situation that threatened to lead to its collapse. The findings of this study highlighted that it was this existential threat that compelled the ruling elites to negotiate and agree on the accession of Shah Abbas, thereby necessitating a shift in political arrangements. As a result, the upper echelons of power aimed to protect the newly achieved consensus by preventing the accumulation of unchecked power and redirecting political processes toward mechanisms that facilitated the distribution of authority during this period. During this era, the Shah assumed the role of executor of the policies established by the governmental council (Janqi) and dealt harshly with those who disrupted the established order. Morshed Qoli Khan, the vakil (regent), lost his life due to his failure to adhere to the emerging political process. Additionally, profits from the silk trade were allocated to high-ranking officials and provinces, while a slave army was formed to safeguard commercial interests, operating without opposition from the Qizilbash tribes. In contrast to contemporary interpretations that attributed the social changes and phenomena of this period to Shah Abbas's personal attributes, this research emphasized the political and social contexts of interaction and agreement among the pillars of power during his reign. It analyzed and explained the political organization of the era, which ultimately led to the prosperity and distinctiveness of this period. Discussion of Results & Conclusion The period of Shah Abbas (996-1038 AH) represents the most distinctive era of the Safavid government in terms of political mechanisms. This distinction arose from the process of distributing impersonal authority achieved through agreements among the leaders of power, which ultimately preserved the Safavid system and restored security. All branches of government adhered to the established principles, with the Shah serving as the principal agent of the existing order and security. An analysis of the events during this period challenged the notion that Shah Abbas sought to replace the Qizilbash forces with a new army. Instead, the interaction and convergence between Qizilbash groups and the court facilitated conditions conducive to prosperity. Notably, allocation of silk trade profits to the provinces governed by Qizilbash chiefs, in exchange for ensuring the security of trade caravans, contributed to the overall safety of the territory. A new army of slaves was recruited to maintain and protect the security mechanisms of trade. The events of this period exemplified the consolidation of a process that fostered trust among the heads of state and reinforced their mutual interests. Consequently, internal conflicts diminished in favor of stability and security, creating a cohesion that paved the way for prosperity and rendered the era of Shah Abbas I a distinctive chapter in Safavid history. |