Local Governments of Iran during 14th century and the Problem of Legitimacy

The collapse of Ilkhanid government pushed Iran into a period of instability and political disintegration. After the death of Ilkhan Abu-Saeied (1335), a contest for power and dominance of the Ilkhanid legacy begun, participated by a number of forces. Consequently the country was divided into several local states that lasted more than half a century until the end of 14th century. This article investigates how these forces dealt with the issue of legitimacy and illustrates the principles that rival elements used in order to gain legitimacy. These principles can be studied in four groups: Mongolian, Iranian, Sunnite and Shiite concepts.Mongol tribes used the Holiness of Chengiz family and their exclusive right to govern, whereas the Sunnite political concepts such as dissimulation of religiosity and relation to caliph were used by Sunnite states of Al-e-Kort and Muzzaffarides. Shia concepts like fighting against cruelty and wait for promised Mahdi were referred by Sarbedars, and finally, Iranian concepts like kingdom, enmity between Iran-Turan and the name of Iran, differently used by most of rulers of this period.Among these four groups of concepts, Mongolian and Sunnite principles gradually were sidetracked. However, Iranian and Shiite ones remained and reflected in Safavid movement.Mixing of these two at the beginning of 15th century led to establishment of central government and national unity in Iran.