Poetic Themes in the Historical Books of the Safavid Era

The Safavid era in the history of Iran, following the advent of Islam, holds a significant place in terms of politics and religion due to the establishment of political unity within Iran's borders and the embrace of the Shiite faith. This period was characterized by the Safavid rulers' confrontations with internal dissidents and diverse foreign adversaries. While historical sources from the Safavid era depict these confrontations and conflicts, they are not always faithful representations of reality. Instead, they often reflect the historians' interpretation of events, blending historical content with literary expression. The present study, conducted through a comprehensive review of relevant sources from the Safavid era, aims to explore the intertwined nature of history and poetry, and how these two elements have shaped historical narratives during this period. By delving into the use of poetry within historical texts, the research seeks to understand the role of poetic expression in conveying historical events and stories. The research findings reveal that the extensive incorporation of poetry in historical texts of the Safavid era can be attributed to several factors, including its heightened appeal and influence, the influence of the historiographical tradition from the Mongol era and earlier periods, and the educational backgrounds of the historians of this time, who were steeped in literary traditions before transitioning to historical authorship.