The Hasbeh Institution in Local Governments during the Interregnum Era from the Ilkhanids to the Timurid Era (736-771 AH)

In the Islamic and Iranian history, Hasbeh institution had various functions and enjoyed a high position. Regulatory nature of this institution over religious and secular laws in Islamic society made Mohtasib the closest authority to the state and a mediator between the people and the state. The interregnum era between the Ilkhans and the Timurid era (736-771 AH) with its “symmetrical” local governments, can be a suitable place to understand and to address the status of the Hasbeh institution. The local references in the interregnum era provide a picture similar to that of the previous eras, since despite the emphasis of some governors and the attempts of Mohtasibs, the society still chose a different way which is far from the ideals of the Hasbeh, resulted in failing and the inefficiency of this institution. The social and literary texts of this era depicts Muhtasib as a symbol of hypocrisy. Heterogeneity of the duties and authorities, and more importantly, the non-independence of Muhtasibs are the most striking characteristics of local governments in the interregnum era, which causes that no stable position can be imagined for the Hasbeh institutor. This study aims to use a descriptive - analytic as well as desk study method to examine this issue.