The Approach of Safavid Historians about the last Gilani Kia’i Ruler

Khan Ahmad Gilani Khan (1538-1592) is the last ruler of Al-Kia in Gilan who was overthrown by Shah Abbas I in 1592 A.D for political, economic and religious reasons. The encounter of Safavid historians with the government of Al-Kia can be examined in three steps: at the first, they speak of Al-Kia respectfully due to refuge of Mirza Ismail to Gilan. In the second step that was coincident with the reign of Shah Tahmasp, historians gradually left behind the Al-Kia government as a result of some disputations between Tahmasp and Khan Ahmad and finally his imprisonment. And the third step was the time of Shah Abbas government and the overthrown of Al-Kia. Historical sources of this era tried to introduce Khan Ahmad as a guilty person in favour of Shah Abbas’ action and to support of Safavid dynasty. The present research intends to investigate the reasons of difference viewpoints in historical sources from Safavid era about the Character of Khan Ahmad Gilani Khan.