Short back and sides: were the Qalandars of late Safavid Iran domesticated?

Ridgeon, L. (2017) Short back and sides: were the Qalandars of late Safavid Iran domesticated? Journal of Sufi Studies, 6(1), pp. 82-115. (doi: 10.1163/22105956-12341296)

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Abstract

Qalandars have often been depicted in negative terms in medieval and pre-modern literature by Sufis themselves, clerics and historians. Treatises composed by Qalandars are rare, thus the possibility of producing a balanced survey of their form of Sufism and contribution to the socio-political and religious climate of any given period is difficult. One such text, the “Sulīmān Qalandar Nāma”, however, completed in 1668, offers an intriguing perspective of Qalandars in late Safavid Iran. An analysis of this text, along with a focus on the dynamics of late Safavid religion and politics suggests that far from being antinomian and otherworldly Sufis, these Qalandars were supportive of the Shīʿa Safavid dynasty. The text offers an intriguing marriage between traditional Qalandar themes and those inspired by Shīʿa Islam, and it testifies to the continuing importance of the Qalandars, providing evidence for the cultural continuity of this form of Sufism in the region.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Ridgeon, Dr Lloyd
Authors: Ridgeon, L.
Subjects:B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BP Islam. Bahaism. Theosophy, etc
College/School:College of Arts & Humanities > School of Critical Studies > Theology and Religious Studies
Journal Name:Journal of Sufi Studies
Publisher:Brill
ISSN:2210-5948
Published Online:06 July 2017
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2017 Koninklijke Brill NV
First Published:First published in Journal of Sufi Studies 6(1): 82-115
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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