Re-evaluating some data on the rule of the Fars Atabegs in Abdullah Shirazi’s Tājziyat al-Amsār wa Tazjiyat al-Āsār (or Tārīkh-i Wassaf)

Abstract

The Fars province, integrated into the Seljuk Empire through OghuzTurkmen migrations, was administered by Turkic authorities for nearly two centuries and retained significant strategic and cultural importance throughout the medieval period. Under Seljuk Sultan Alp Arslan (1063–1072), the province was administered by appointed governors (naibs) for eighty-five years, maintaining relative stability but facing challenges from internal rebellions, local powers such as the Shabankara, and external rivals including the Seljuks of Kerman. The weakening of Seljuk authority, coupled with continued Oghuz-Turkmen settlement, facilitated the rise of the Salghurid (or Salur) Atabegs, who ruled Fars independently for approximately 120 years. Their governance marked a period of political consolidation, economic growth, and cultural flourishing. Architectural and infrastructural projects – including madrasas, mosques, caravanserais, bridges, bazaars, and hospitals – enhanced urban life, promoted scholarship and the arts, and reinforced Fars as a regional center. Drawing primarily on Abdullah Shirazi’s Tajziyat al-amṣār wa-tazjiyat al-aʿṣār (Tārīkh-i Wassāf) alongside other contemporary sources, this study reassesses the political, social, and cultural developments of the period. It emphasizes the Salghurid Atabegs’ pragmatic strategies in navigating Mongol incursions, preserving local governance, and maintaining stability while fostering economic and cultural growth. The findings demonstrate that the Salghurid dynasty not only restored political order but also initiated enduring transformations in the cultural and material life of Fars, leaving a legacy that continued beyond their decline. This study contributes to a nuanced understanding of Fars as a vibrant political, social, and cultural centre under both Seljuk and Salghurid rule, highlighting the province’s significance in the broader context of medieval Turkic history.