Remapping Persian Literary History, 1700-1900

This book explores Persian literary culture in the 18th and 19th centuries, challenging Iranian nationalism and revealing the multi-regional breadth and vibrancy of a global lingua franca connecting Islamic Eurasia. It focuses on 3 case studies and reveals the literary and cultural ties that bound this world together and some of the trends that broke it apart.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 28 February 2022
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Integrating forgotten tales of literary communities across Iran, Afghanistan, and South Asia during a period of significant political and cultural transformation, this book presents a comprehensive and global perspective on Persian literary culture in the 18th and 19th centuries. By challenging the dominant narrative of Iranian nationalism in Persian literary history writing, it seeks to recover the multi-regional breadth and vibrancy of a global lingua franca that connected peoples and places across Islamic Eurasia. Through a series of case studies, the book explores the literary and cultural connections that united this world and the factors that contributed to its eventual disintegration. The first case study focuses on 18th-century Isfahan, a city in Iran that served as a hub for literary and cultural exchange. The second case study examines a small court in South India, highlighting the cultural interactions between India and Iran. The third case study delves into the literary climate of the Anglo-Afghan war, which had significant implications for the region's literary landscape. By examining these case studies, the book reveals the complex and multifaceted nature of Persian literary culture and its role in shaping the cultural and political landscape of the time. It also highlights the resilience and adaptability of Persian literature in the face of political and social upheaval. Overall, the book offers a fresh and nuanced understanding of Persian literary culture and its place in the broader context of Islamic Eurasia.

Weight: 380g
Dimension: 154 x 233 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474450850