Between allegiance and critique: Hasan Bīg Rūmlū's defense of the Qizilbāsh in Aḥsan al-Tavārīkh

This thesis examines Ḥasan-i Rūmlū's Aḥsan al-Tavārīkh within the context of Shāh Ṭahmāsb I's reign in the Safavid state, investigating the role of historical texts in reflecting and interpreting sociopolitical dynamics. Considering that historiography in the early modern Islamic world functioned not only as a record of events but also as a tool for contesting identity and power, this study aims to address a significant gap by exploring the ideological dimensions of Rūmlū's text and the power dynamics within Safavid society. The primary objective of this research is to uncover Rūmlū's motivation for writing Aḥsan al-Tavārīkh -namely, whether he employed historiography not merely as a tool for chronicling events, but also as a means to advocate for the Qizilbāsh's centrality within the Safavid state. Qualitative methods were employed, utilizing textual analysis, discourse analysis, and historical contextualization to deeply examine the content of the work and Rūmlū's narrative strategies. The findings reveal that Rūmlū strategically positions the Qizilbāsh, the Safavid dynasty, and the sayyids, employing selective language and identity framing to deliver an ideological message that emphasizes the Qizilbāsh's indispensable role. The text's qualities -conceptualized as interconnected layers, including its historiographical function, its role in identity formation, its inclusion of personal interpretations, and, fundamentally, its function as a reminder- are intricately connected in advocating for Qizilbāsh legitimacy. This thesis contributes to the humanities by enhancing the understanding of the relationship between historiography and power, highlighting the function of historical texts as political artifacts and the complexity of identity preservation in the nascent Safavid society. Theoretically, it exemplifies the use of historiography as an ideological tool, while socially, it provides deep insights into the power dynamics of the Safavid state. Ultimately, Rūmlū's work demonstrates that historical narratives in the early modern period not only recorded the past but also shaped struggles for belonging and legitimacy.