Factors Influencing the Education Status in Qahestan (From Seljuk to Safavid era)

Qahestan is a region in the historical geography of Iran that has a huge and resilient connection with the Great Khorasan area. Although most of the mentioned region is divided between Southern Khorasan and parts of Razavi Khorasan, nevertheless, Qahestan has witnessed imperative past events in its historical course. Qahestan province, due to its geographical location and cultural context in the field of education and training, had a special role in Islamic culture and civilization from the Seljuks to the end of the Safavid era; hence, great scholars such as Khajeh Nasir al-Din Tusi emerged from this province. Also, important factors such as socio-politic, economic and cultural factors have influenced the educational status of Qahestan from the Seljuk period to the Safavids. This study which is based on a descriptive-analytical research, seeks to determine the factors affecting education in Qahestan from the Seljuk to Safavid eras. The findings of the study indicate that the status of Qahestan education is subordinate to its political, economic and cultural status, which underpins the excellence of educational institutions. In terms of politics, the establishment of public schools and from an economic point of view, the region is considered as a bridge in terms of culturally intellectual and ethnic pluralism; hence the mentioned features are among the major contributors to the improvement of educational status and stability in the area and, in due course, famous families such as Khazimah and scholars such as Khajeh Nasir al-Din Tusi among others emerged from this area accomplishing great achievements in the development of Islamic culture and civilization.

Research aims:

1. To Investigation of the socio-politic, economic and cultural factors on the educational status of Qahestan from the Seljuk period to the Safavids.
2. To Explain the role of Qahestan province in the development of scholars such as Khajeh Nasir al-Din Tusi.

Research questions:

1. What factors influenced Qahestan's educational status from the Seljuk period to the Safavids?
2. What role did the Qahestan province play in the development of scholars such as Khajeh Nasir al-Din Tusi throughout history?