Rayy and the Religious History of the Seljūq Period

Abstract

Abstract:Historically, the years between the start of the tenth century AD and the mid-twelfth century witnessed dramatic socio-political and religious convulsions and transformation. This article first adumbrates the political role of Rayy, then gives an overview of the major trends in the religious history of the Seljūq period. These included the promotion and spread of the madrasa, with its accompanying

The Eclipse of Khurāsān in the twelfth century

“…42All of which confirm Nīshāpūrī’s appraisal at least implicitly – for instance regarding the founding of religious institutions (see Tor 2011b; Tor 2016: 386–90). The chronicles are littered with accounts of religious foundations of every variety throughout the Seljuq period, by both members of the ruling dynasty – including women – and of its administration.…”

“…What then ensued was frightful; during the years of Sanjar's captivity, the nomads went on a three-year rampage of pillage and rapine, in the course of which they not only destroyed the physical infrastructure of the province, but are also said specifically to have targetted the ʿ ulamā’ for wholesale extermination, since they were seen as being hand-in-glove with the Seljuqs (see Tor 2016: 398–401); and, finally, the province's subsequent political dismemberment, which began during the period of Sanjar's imprisonment and continued after his death in 1157, six months after his escape from captivity 59…”

“…2 For recent studies on some of these changes see e.g. Peacock 2015;Tor 2016;and Tor 2009b. 3 On which see Tor 2015.…”