"Two Ẕayls to a Topographic Guide of Holy Places in Timurid Herat"
Résumé
The recent scholarly discourse on the early modern period in Islamicate area studies has extensively explored the topic of pilgrimage to local and regional shrines. This explorations delves not only into spiritual aspects but also considers the economic, social, and political dimensions of pilgrimage. In the context of Persian historiography concerning local pilgrimage, historical sources exhibit a wide range of diversity. Starting from the Timurid period and onwards, these sources increasingly incorporate "piligrimage" or "topographical" guides to local shrines located around significant cities such as Bukhara, Samarqand, Balkh, and others. The prenst talk focuses on "Maqṣad al-Iqbāl" by ‘Abdallāh Dashtaki Heravi, a significant source of information regarding the sacred topography of Herat (Afghanistan). This work, written in Persian around the mid-fifteenth century, is followed by two continuations (ẕayl): one from the Durrāni period (approx. 1783-84) and the other from the early twentieth century. By cross-analysing these texts, the paper aims to shed light on the evolution and functioning of Herat shrines over several centuries, providing historical insights within their respective contexts.
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