Library and Information Sciences

Library and Information Sciences

Safavid Libraries: Continuity and Change in Functions

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mahshid Borjian Borujeni 1
Zahra Abazari 2
Gholamreza Amirkhani 3
Fereshteh Sepehr 4
Nadjla Hariri 5
1 Ph.D. Student, Department of Knowledge and Information Science, Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Department of Knowledge and Information Science, Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, National Library and Archives of Iran, Tehran, Iran
4 Assistant Professor, Department of Knowledge and Information Science, Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran
5 Professor, Department of Knowledge and Information Science, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
10.30481/lis.2023.239621.1742
Abstract
Objective: The main objective of the research is to study and analyze the function and role of libraries during the Safavid dinasty.
Methodology: According to the nature of the research, a library method based on books, manuscripts, and first-hand (primary) documents, has been used.
Findings: The present study shows that in general, two distinct periods can be considered in the life and function of Safavid libraries. The first period, which is related to the 16th century and the reign of Shah Ismail and part of the time of Shah Tahmasb, is a continuation of the role and function of the 15th century libraries, especially the Timurid libraries in Khurasan, where the main task of libraries is to produce and create exquisite manuscripts using the highest level of book design arts. The second approach was to pay attention to libraries in the position of preserving and maintaining the written works of Shiite scholars and jurists, which is considered a significant change in the role and function of important libraries of this period. In this regard, a fundamental change took place in Shia jurisprudential-theological texts, most of which were written by scholars who had migrated to Iran from the Jabal Amel region of Lebanon. The transfer of the personal libraries of this group of immigrant scholars caused many Arabic works to be transferred to Iran. In addition to this kind of texts, attention to Persian language as the language of writing jurisprudential-religious works and used by the public is one of the other features of this period. In addition to the necessity of the time and the need of the Safavid government to gain legitimacy and explain the jurisprudence principles of the Shia religion by using the books and treatises that appeared, including authoring, translating, summarizing and rewriting, another factor was also raised, which was: the negative view from some jurisprudential thoughts to the category of painting, which specifically caused Shah Tahmasb to close the art workshop of his royal library in Qazvin. The change of the capital from Qazvin to Isfahan was also formed in a context affected by these developments. In Isfahan, Shah Abbas committed himself to the establishment of the royal library, which was located in the building complex known as Dowlatkhaneh. In addition, he and his great contemporary scholar, Sheikh Bahai, by taking advantage of the tradition of endowment, gave increasing prosperity to the libraries of the holy shrines, which in particular should be the important collections dedicated to the mausoleum of Sheikh Safi in Ardabil and the library of Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad (Astan-e Quds-e Razavi). Despite the variety of works that later influenced the collection of the Astan-e Quds library, most of the works available in that place and in other libraries of the second Safavid period, were dedicated to religious and jurisprudential texts, which are generally found in the libraries of schools, mosques, and holy shrines or personal collections were kept.
Conclusion: The function and position of libraries during Safavid period can be seen in two different ways. In the first, the continuation of the function of the libraries was like the previous period, in which the main task of the libraries was to create exquisite manuscripts by using the well-known painters, calligraphers, and book designers. In the second stage, more attention was paid to libraries as a place to preserve the written works of Shiite scholars and jurists, which is considered a significant change in the role and performance of important libraries of this period.
 
Keywords
Safavid؛ Libraries؛ Art of the books؛ Shi&rsquo
ite books؛ Endowment
ابی صعب، روال جوردی (۱۳۹۵). تغییر مذهب در ایران: دین و قدرت در ایران عصر صفوی. ترجمه منصور صفتگل. تهران: پژوهشگاه فرهنگ و اندیشه اسلامی.
اسکندر منشی (۱۳۸۲). تاریخ عالم آرای عباسی. تصحیح ایرج افشار. تهران: امیرکبیر.
افندی، عبداهلل (۱۳۶۳). ریاض العلما و حیاض الفضال. تصحیح سید احمد حسینی اشکوری. قم: کتابخانه آیت الله مرعشی.
بابایی، سوسن (۱۳۹۸). اصفهان و کاخ‌هایش. ترجمه مصطفی امیری. تهران: فرهنگ جاوید.
بی‌نام (۱۳۸۰). تاریخ ایران. پژوهش دانشگاه کمبریج. جلد ۶ : صفویان. ترجمه یعقوب آژند. تهران: جامی.
حسینی عاملی، محمدشفیع (۱۳۸۳). محافل المومنین فی ذیل مجالس المومنین. تصحیح منصور جغتایی. مشهد: آستان قدس رضوی، بنیاد پژوهش‌های اسلامی.
جعفریان، رسول(۱۳۷۷). نسخه‌های مهاجر: پژوهشی درباره انتقال کتاب‌های کهن شیعی از سرزمین‌های عربی به ایران در آغاز دوره صفوی. آیینه پژوهش، 51، 2-12.
درایتی، مصطفی (۱۳۹۰). فهرستگان نسخه‌های خطی ایران. تهران: سازمان اسناد و کتابخانه ملی جمهوری اسلامی ایران.
رحمتی، محمدکاظم (۱۳۹۶). احوال و آثار بهاالدین عاملی معروف به شیخ بهایی. قم: مؤسسه کتابشناسی شیعه.
روملو، حسن (۱۳۸۴). احسن التواریخ. تصحیح عبدالحسین نوایی، تهران: اساطیر.
فضل اهلل، رشیدالدین (۱۳۵۰) وقفنامه ربع رشیدی. تصحیح مجتبی مینوی، ایرج افشار. تهران: انجمن آثار ملی.
شمس فخری، محمدبن سعید (بی‌تا). معیار جمالی و مفتاح ابواسحاقی. نسخه خطی ۴۹۱ کتابخانه آستان حضرت عبدالعظیم (ع).
طوسی، محمدبن حسن (بی‌تا). تهذیب االحکام. نسخه خطی شماره ۹۷۹ کتابخانه و موزه ملی ملک.
منجم یزدی، جلال‌الدین محمد (۱۳۶۶). تاریخ عباسی یا روزنامه مال جلال. تصحیح سیف اهلل وحیدنیا. تهران: وحید.
منشی قمی، احمدبن حسین (۱۳۹۴). خالصه التواریخ. تصحیح احسان اشراقی. تهران: دانشگاه تهران. مؤسسه انتشارات و چاپ.
نورمحمدی، مهدی (۱۳۹۴). عماد ملک خط: زندگی و آثار میرعماد سیفی حسنی قزوینی. تهران: نشر علمی.
یاقوت حموی، یاقوت بن عبدالله (۱۳۴۴). معجم البلدان. تهران: اسدی.
References
Abi sa`b, R. J. (2015). Converting Persia: Religion and power in the Safavid empire. translator: M. Sefatgol, Tehran: Institute of Islamic Culture and Thought.
Babaie, S. (2018). Isfahan and its Palaces. translator: M. Amiri, Tehran: Farhang Javid. (in Persian)
Derayati, M. (2019). Catalogues of Iranian Manuscripts. Tehran: National Library and Archives of Islamic Republic of Iran. (in Persian)
Efandi, A. (1983). Riaz al-Ulama va Hayaz al-Fozala, ed. Hosseini Eshkevari, S. A. Qom: Library of Ayatollah Mar`ashi.
Eskandar Munshi, E. (2002). History of Alam Aray-e Abbasi. Edited by: I. Afshar, Tehran: Amirkabir. (in Persian)
Gholsorkhi, S. (1995). Pari Khan Khanum: A Masterful Safavid Princess. Iranian Studies, 28, 143-156. (in Persian)
History of Iran. (2000). Research of Cambridge University, Safavids. translator: Y. Azhand, Tehran: Jami. (in Persian)
Hosseini Amoli, M. S. (2003). Mahafel Al-Momenin fi Zeil Majles Al-Momenin. Edited by: M. Joghataei. Mashhad: Astane Qods Razavi, Institue of Islamic Researches. (in Persian)
Jafarian, R. (1997). Immigrant Manuscripts: A Research About Transformed Shiite Books from Arab Lands to Iran in the Beginning of Safavid Period. Aineh Pazhohesh, 51, 2-12. (in Persian)
Melville, C. (2011). The illustration of history in Safavid manuscript painting. In New Perspectives on Safavid Iran, Empire and society. Edited by:  P. Mitchell. London: Routledge, 163 – 197.
Monajjem-e-Yazdi, J. M. (1986). History of Abbasi or Diaries of Mulla Jalal. Edited by: S. Vahidnia. Tehran: Vahid.
Munshi Qomi, A. H. (2014). Khulasato al-Tawarikh. Edited by: E. Eshraghi, Tehran: University of Tehran, Moasseseye Entesharat Va Chap. (in Persian)
Nourmohammadi, M. (2014). Emad-e Mulk-e Khat: Life and Works of Mir Emad Seifi Hassani Qazvini. Tehran: Elmi Publication. (in Persian)
Rahmati, M. K. (2016). Life and Works of Bahaeddin Ameli, Entitled Sheikh Bahaei. Qom: Institute of Shiite Bibliography. (in Persian)
Rashid al-din Fazlullah, R. (1970). Vaghfnameh Rab-e Rashidi, Edited by: M. Minowi, & I. Afshar. Tehran: Anjoman-e Asar-e Melli.
Rumlu, H. (2004). Ahsan Al-Tawarikh. Edited by: A. Navaei, Tehran: Asatir. (in Persian)
Shams Fakhri, M. S. (nd). Meyar-e-Jamali and Meftah Abu Eshaghi. Manuscript No. 491. Library of Astan-e-Hazrate Abdulazim. (in Persian)
Tousi, M. H. (nd). Tahzib Al-Ahkam. Mnuscript No.979. National Museum and Library of Malek.
Yaqut Al-Hamawi, Y. A. (1964). Mu`jam Al-Buldan. Tehran: Asadi. (in Persian)