An analysis of historical outlook and historiography adopted by Bijan-e Tārikh-e Safavi khwān

Bijan-e Tārikh-e Safavi khwān (Narrator of the Safavid History) is an historiographer who, by writing Rustam Khan-e Gorji’s political and military biography, has gained fame among the Safavid historians. He may have been one of the storytellers who later turned to professional historiography.The present study addresses the question that, in dealing with the historical personality of Rustam Khan, how Bijan thought and what methods he employed in its exposition and elucidation.This article attempts to demonstrate that Bijan takes on no modern perspective of history, but, influenced by Islamic heritage and Persian tradition of the Safavid time, he endeavors to direct his own thought system toward expanding a military hero-oriented outlook while adhering to the principles of traditional perspective which is based on religion, historical lessons and examples, fate and ethics. Additionally, inspired by the literary style current at the time and by applying a mixture of narrational, naqāli (storytelling) and critical methods, Bijan defends the heroic actions taken by Rustam Khan against his foes, rightly and realistically responding to the inquiries raised by the spirit of his time.