Legitimising the Khan: Rashid al-Din’s Ideological Project from a Literary Aspect

ABSTRACT The world history of Rashid al-Din, known as Jamiʿ al-Tavarikh, was written in the fourteenth century primarily to record the history of Chingizid dynasty. However, the book turned out to be one of the most significant projects of the Ilkhanid era such that even now, after six centuries still enthrals its readers. This article attempts to show how Rashid al-Din sought to legitimise the Ilkhanids by applying literary devices, in particular poetry. The article also discusses the importance of poetry as a form of demonstration of power.