How Persian Literature Shaped Ottoman and Mughal Court Cultures

When we think of Persian literature, we often envision the rose-scented verses of Hafez, the mystical couplets of Rumi, or the epics of Ferdowsi. But Persian literature was more than a national treasure—it was a cultural force that transcended borders. From Istanbul to Delhi, it played a foundational role in shaping courtly life, education, and artistic expression in both the Ottoman and Mughal empires.

In fact, for centuries, Persian was not just a language of poetry and philosophy—it was the lingua franca of the Islamic East, the language of diplomacy, refinement, and elite learning. Through its stories, symbols, and sensibilities, Persian literature became the cultural backbone of two of the most powerful empires in Islamic history.

Persian as the Language of Empire

While rooted in Iran, Persian had already spread far and wide by the 10th century, becoming the administrative and literary language of dynasties across Central and South Asia. It was during the Seljuk, Ghaznavid, and Timurid periods that Persian culture flourished and migrated outward, laying the foundation for its adoption by later empires.

• In the Ottoman Empire, especially during the 15th–17th centuries, Persian was taught in elite madrasas and spoken by educated classes. While Ottoman Turkish was the official language, many Ottoman sultans, including Suleiman the Magnificent, were fluent in Persian and composed Persian poetry.

• In the Mughal Empire, Persian was the dominant court language from the 16th century onward. It was the medium of administration, scholarship, poetry, and courtly etiquette. Mughal emperors …