The Exemplary Status of the Military from the Viewpoint of Khwājih Niẓām-ul-Mulk

Khwājih Niẓām-ul-Mulk did most of his country and military service during the time of Alp-Arsalān and Malikshāh, and as a minister under their rule. In Sayr-ul-mulūk he expresses his ideas regarding bureaucracy and different levels of governance, including the military structure of the state, which is one of the main pillars of power. The present study collects data using written sources, and examines the data using content analysis. We attempt to answer the following questions: “As a bureaucrat, what views did Niẓām-ul-Mulk hold towards the military?” and “Which merits does he mention when it comes to the professional status of military?” In other words, the purpose of the present study is to define the status of the military, and to extract a model of military merits based on Khwājih Niẓām-ul-Mulk’s viewpoints.It is suggested that the military are given major focus in Sayr-ul-mulūk. Although Niẓām-ul-Mulk criticizes the military’s activities during his own time, he enumerates several merits in Sayr-ul-mulūk as important factors in forming the military’s status. These include military experience and strength, respecting the superiors, not intruding on people’s property (professional aspect), the multi-ethnic nature of the military, and the neatness of military men’s looks and tools (personal aspect).