A study of Nowruznameh in the Islamic era (up to the ninth century A.H.)

Nowruz, one of the ancient, central and glorious Iranian holidays that was even practiced in the Islamic era, is reflected in the works of famous authors so that they have composed specific books called Nowruznameh. This article, using a descriptive-analytical method, attempted to study the genesis, development, language, structure, content, dispersion and other issues pertained to these works up to the 9th century A.H. The main question concerns the contributing factors and drives of writing Nowruznameh as well as the expansion and appeal of such works. The results suggest that the composition of Nowruznameh began in the second century A.H. but it reached its zenith in the third and fourth centuries A.H. Nowruznamehs have a fluent and simple language and the most frequently discussed topics in these works include the rituals and traditions of Iranian kings in observing Nowruz, the development of a calendar based on Iranian Nowruz, the resolution of the inconsistency in the time of collecting taxes, and tolls, the rationales behind Iranian festivals, Nowruz poems, and customs, the consequences of Nowruz being designated to a certain day of the week, and discussion of the jurisprudential rules of Nowruz.The primary motivation of Nowruznameh authors was their literary interests and tendencies, and their efforts to sustain and revive Iranian culture and civilization in the Arab-Islamic era on the other. Of the seventeen Nowruznamehs whose names have been recorded in various sources, only five works are available