Al Kia Convergence and Divergence Factors in Relation to Central Governments from the Rise of the Timurids to the Rise of Safavids

The local government of Al-Kia ruled Gilan and areas to the east of Sepidrud known as “Biah Pish,” from the eighth to the tenth centuries of the Hijra.       Having adopted clever policies with regard to the requirements and political relations of their time, this ruling family managed to stay safe from the attacks of Iran’s central governments. They even managed to maintain their domestic autonomy.      Using an analytical descriptive method, this study seeks to investigate factors leading to Al-Kia’s convergence with the central governments as well as issues that led to an increase in their divergence from the central governments and desire for more autonomy.
     The findings of this study indicate that factors such as Al-Kia’s desire for holding power within this local family and staying safe from the central rulers’ attacks bolstered convergence between the two sides. On the other hand, factors such as Al-Kia’s desire for controlling more territory, geographical and climate factors, their adherence to a religious denomination different from that of the central government, the region’s economic independence, abundance of water resources, and peasant’s ongoing struggles throughout the history of Gilan were among the driving forces of divergence.