Dear colleagues,
The Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, University of Tokyo (Tobunken) will host a lecture by Professor Mansur Sefatgol (University of Tehran/Tobunken) on “Preparing Diplomatic Correspondences during the Safavid Period: A Survey of a Unique Source from Royal Archive of Iran (17th–18th Centuries)” on March 8 (Wed). Those who are interested in participating in the event are cordially invited to register in advance by March 6 (details below).
Lecture Title:Preparing Diplomatic Correspondences during the Safavid Period: A Survey of a Unique Source from Royal Archive of Iran (17th–18th Centuries)
Speaker:Mansur Sefatgol (Professor, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Tehran / Visiting Profess, Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, University of Tokyo)
Date and Time:March 8 (Wed), 2023, at 15:00–16:15
Venue:Online via Zoom, with a limited capacity for in-person participation by invitation.
Lecture Abstract:
Not enough research has been done on Iran's foreign relations, especially on the relevant structure of administrative system during the Safavid period (1501-1736). One of the most important reasons for this is the lack of official sources. The present study tried to introduce and investigate a unique source belong to the royal chancellery of Iran during the Safavid era. The source under question is a unique manuscript as an official register belonging to the head of the secretaries, Monshi al- Mamalek of the state. It consists of two main sections. First covers the texts and the titles of 237 diplomatic correspondences in between Iran and her neighbors and also Europe during the 17th to 18 the centuries. The second part is more valuable because covers the details on the regulations of preparing diplomatic letters in which describing the details related to each letters, to clarify the steps of preparing the final texts such as the calligraphy, seal, decorations, ink, colors, gilding, the size and kinds of the paper, the envelope, strap, figures and tables, margins of the letter, the way of folding the paper etc. The content of this manuscript presents new information on the foreign relations of Iran and political situation Mughal India and, Central Asia during the 17th and the 18th centuries.
How to Participate:Please fill in the form at https://forms.gle/RTuv2vJbqPujUunr5 by March 4, at 24:00 JST. Explanation about how the seminar will be held and how one can request an invitation for in-person participation is given in the form.
Contact Person: Kazuo Morimoto (morikazu[at]ioc.u-tokyo.ac.jp)