Literary Flourishing Under Turmoil: Persian Poetry During the Mongol & Timurid Eras

The centuries following the mid‑13th century Mongol invasions were among the most turbulent in Iranian history—yet paradoxically they also saw some of the richest outpourings of Persian poetry. From the shattered courts of the Ilkhanid khans to the glittering academies of Timurid Herat, poets found both patronage and profound inspiration amid adversity. Below, we trace how these eras of upheaval became crucibles for literary innovation and enduring masterpieces.

1. After the Conquest: Crisis and Continuity

• Devastation of the Mongol Invasions (c. 1220–1258). Whole cities—including Merv and Nishapur—were razed. The Abbasid Caliphate fell in Baghdad (1258), and political order fractured.

• Adaptation of the Ilkhanids. The Mongol rulers in Iran (the Ilkhanids) soon adopted Islam and Persian administrative practices. Persian became the court language, securing continuity for cultural life even under foreign overlords.

• Saadi’s Witness. The great Saadi Shirazi (c. 1210–1291) survived the upheavals, traveling widely and later composing Bustan and Gulistan, works suffused with moral reflection born of witnessing human suffering and resilience.

2. The Ilkhanid Renaissance: New Patrons, New Voices

• Courtly Patronage. Ilkhanid princes like Ghazan Khan (r. 1295–1304) and Öljeitü (r. 1304–1316) sponsored literary salons and invited scholars from across the Islamic world.

• Blend of Persian and Mongol Themes. Poets navigated dual identities—celebrating traditional Persian kingship motifs while praising Mongol patrons as legitimate rulers under God.

• Key Poets:

  • Uljaytu’s Circle. Under Öljeitü, poets like Rashid al‑Din Fazlullah Hamadani combined history and verse.

  • Saadi’s Later Work. His humanistic tales and aphorisms resonated deeply in a society rebuilding itself.

3. Sufi Mysticism in a …