نقش و جایگاه خاندان ساروخان سعدلو قورچی باشی در تشکیلات نظامی و دیوان سالاری حکومت صفوی (مقاله علمی وزارت علوم)
درجه علمی: نشریه علمی (وزارت علوم)
آرشیو
چکیده
در پی سیاست های تحدید قدرت قزلباشان و اصلاحات نظامی شاه عباس و حذف خاندان و امرای متنفذ قزلباش و برکشیدن امرای دون پایه و ناشناخته به جانشینی آنان، زمینه برای ظهور خاندان های جدید در ساختار نظامی و سیاسی صفوی که شایستگی و توانمندی چشمگیری از خود به نمایش گذاشتند، فراهم شد. خاندان سارو خان سعدلو نمونه بارزی از این خاندان هاست که در تشکیلات نظامی، سیاسی و دیوان سالاری صفوی در اواخر قرن یازدهم و اوایل قرن دوازدهم هجری تأثیرگذار بودند. مهم ترین چهره این خاندان، سارو خان بود که در کنار مسئولیت های مختلف نظامی، سیاسی و مالی دوران شاه سلیمان همچون قورچی باشی و معیر الممالکی، صاحب شخصیت ادبی و فرهنگی نیز بود. با توجه به اهمیت اقدامات این خاندان در فهم تحولات تاریخی این دوران، این پژوهش با هدف بازبینی برخی نگاه ها و نظریه ها به تاریخ دوران صفوی همچون کارکرد صِرف نظامی قزلباشان و یا حذف قزلباشان از ساختار حکومتی صفویه توسط شاه عباس، در پی پاسخگویی به این سؤال است که نظامیان قزلباش مانند خاندان سارو خان سعدلو (نمونه موردی) در تشکیلات سیاسی، اداری و فرهنگی اواخر حکومت صفویه چه نقش و جایگاهی داشتند؟ جمع آوری اطلاعات و داده های تاریخی این پژوهش به روش کتابخانه ای و بررسی موضوع به شیوه توصیفی تحلیلی انجام یافته است و نتایج حاصل نشان می دهد ساختار حکومتی صفویه باوجود تغییرات گسترده، همچنان، زمینه را برای ارتقا جایگاه گروه هایی از قزلباشان همچون خاندان سعدلو فراهم می کرد.The Role and Status of the Sarukhan Sa’dloo Qurchi-Bashi Family in the Military and Administrative Structure of the Safavid State
In the wake of military reforms during Shah Abbas I and his efforts to diminish Qizilbash influence—characterized by the removal of powerful Qizilbash commanders and promotion of lesser-known tribal figures—a new elite emerged within the Safavid military and administrative framework. Among these rising families, the Sa’dlu clan, particularly its Sarukhan branch, distinguished itself through its substantial impact on military, political, and bureaucratic affairs during the late 17 th and early 18 th centuries. The most notable member of this family, Sarukhan, occupied key positions under Shah Suleiman, including Qurchi-bashi (commander of the royal guard) and Muʿir al-Mamalik (chief financial officer), while also making significant contributions to literature and culture. Given the family's pivotal role in understanding the historical developments of this period, this study sought to reassess prevailing narratives regarding the Qizilbash—particularly the notions that they were either entirely ousted from power by Shah Abbas or relegated solely to military roles. Employing a descriptive-analytical approach grounded in library research, this paper examined the political, administrative, and cultural contributions of the Sa’dlu family during the late Safavid era. The findings revealed that, despite significant changes in the structure of the Safavid state, opportunities for political and social advancement were still accessible to certain Qizilbash families, such as the Sa’dlu.
Keyword : Qizilbash, Sa’dlu, Qurchi-Bashi, Mo'ayer-al-Mamaleki, Sarukhan.
Introduction
The Safavid dynasty established in the early 16 th century owes much of its political and military foundation to the Qizilbash—a confederation of Turkoman tribes originally aligned with the Safavid Sufi order. Among these tribes, the Sa’dlu family emerged as one of the most influential Qizilbash clans. The reign of Shah Abbas I marked a significant turning point as he sought to diminish Qizilbash dominance by promoting new administrative elites, such as ghulams (converted Christian slaves) and lesser-known tribal leaders. Despite these challenges, families like the Sa’dlu adapted and maintained their influence within the evolving Safavid state. This study investigated the role and transformation of the Sa’dlu household, focusing on key figures, such as Sarukhan Sa’dlu and his descendants, within the military, administrative, and cultural structures of the late Safavid period. By reassessing conventional historiographical assumptions—such as the complete exclusion of the Qizilbash from state affairs and their characterization as solely military actors—this research aimed to provide a nuanced understanding of Qizilbash resilience and their integration into various spheres of Safavid governance during its decline.
Materials & Methods
This study employed a descriptive-analytical approach to examine the actions and roles of Sarukhan Sa’dlu and his sons in the political and administrative developments of the late Safavid period. Central to this research was the question: What roles and positions did Qizilbash military figures, using the Sa’dlu family as a case study, occupy within the military, administrative, and cultural structures during the final decades of the Safavid dynasty? The research aimed to reassess certain prevailing views and theories in Safavid historiography, particularly the idea that Shah Abbas eliminated the Qizilbash from the Safavid government and the notion that Qizilbash forces had to be defined solely by their military function. By focusing on the roles and contributions of Sarukhan Sa’dlu and his family, this study illustrated that, despite significant changes, the Safavid state structure continued to provide opportunities for the advancement of certain Qizilbash groups, including the Sa’dlu. This family adeptly seized these opportunities, maintaining a prominent presence in the military, administrative, and cultural institutions during the late Safavid period and throughout the dynasty’s decline.
Research Findings
Continued Military and Political Role of the Qizilbash under the Safavids
Contrary to the prevalent belief that Shah Abbas I systematically ousted the Qizilbash from the Safavid political structure, the case of the Sa’dlu family illustrated that certain Qizilbash lineages retained their influence until the dynasty's fall. Sarukhan Sa’dlu, a powerful Qurchi-bashi under Shah Suleiman, along with his sons—Morteza Qoli Khan, Mohammad Qoli Khan, and Rostam Mohammad Khan—held high-ranking military and administrative positions across key regions, such as Khorasan, Kerman, Tabriz, and Shirvan.
Sarukhan’s Role in Safavid Fiscal and Monetary Reforms
In 1096 AH, Sarukhan was appointed Muʿir al-Mamalik (chief financial officer) while simultaneously serving as Qurchi-bashi, underscoring the Safavid administration's trust in his administrative and financial expertise. Although his reforms, which included banning debased coins and attempting to stabilize the currency, ultimately failed and resulted in accusations of embezzlement, this episode highlighted the expanding role of the Qizilbash beyond mere military functions.
Cultural and Literary Contributions of the Sa’dlu Family
Sarukhan and his descendants were not only prominent political and military figures, but also significant cultural patrons and literati. Sarukhan himself was a poet and bibliophile. His Turkish prose preface to Takmilat al-Akhbar is a notable example of early modern Turkish literary style. His son, Morteza Qoli Khan, demonstrated literary brilliance during his diplomatic mission to the Ottoman court, earning respect from Ottoman poets and intellectuals for his mastery of both Persian and Turkish verse.
Persistence of Sa’dlu Power in the Post-Safavid Period
Even after the collapse of the Safavid dynasty, members of the Sa’dlu family retained local political authority. They governed regions, such as Khalkhal and Shirvan, actively resisted Afghan and Russian incursions, and adapted to the shifting political landscape during the transitional and Zand periods. This underscored the family's enduring adaptability and influence.
Reassessment of the “Elimination” Thesis of the Qizilbash
The case of the Sa’dlu family challenges the prevailing thesis that Shah Abbas’s reforms led to the complete marginalization of the Qizilbash. Although the influx of non-Qizilbash groups—such as Georgian, Armenian, and Circassian slaves—diversified the ruling elite, opportunities for certain Qizilbash factions to maintain and even expand their status persisted well into the late Safavid era.
Discussion of Results & Conclusion
This study underscored the enduring influence of the Qizilbash military elite, particularly the Sa’dlu family, during the late Safavid period. Despite the efforts of Shah Abbas I to diminish Qizilbash power, the Sa’dlu clan adapted by expanding their roles into administrative, economic, and cultural domains. Figures, such as Sarukhan Sa’dlu exemplified this transition, holding both military and financial positions while also contributing to literature and court culture. His descendants, including Morteza Qoli Khan and Mohammad Qoli Khan, maintained their political and military prominence even as the Safavid dynasty declined. The evidence suggested that rather than being completely excluded, the select Qizilbash families remained integral to the Safavid state until its eventual collapse.
تبلیغات
