Advice for Kings: The “Mirrors for Princes” Genre (Qābūs-nāma, Sīyāsat-nāma)
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Since antiquity, rulers and statesmen have turned to a special literary genre—often called “Mirrors for Princes”—for guidance on governance, ethics, and personal conduct. In the Persianate world, two landmark works stand out: the 11th-century Qābūs-nāma by Keikāvus of Tabaristan and the Sīyāsat-nāma (“Book of Governance”) of Nizām al-Mulk. Though …
Literary Gems in Early Histories: The Narrative Art of Bayhaqi
Abū’l-Fażl Aḥmad b. Ḥājjāj b. Maḥmūd al-Bayhaqī (c. 995–1077 CE) stands among the premier Persian historians of the Ghaznavid era. His Tarikh-i Mas‘udi (often called Tarikh-e Bayhaqi) transcends mere chronicling of events—Bayhaqi’s vivid storytelling, rich characterization, and elegant prose elevate his work into a literary masterpiece. In this post, …
The Unique Charm of Saadi’s Golestān: Where Prose Meets Poetry
Saadi of Shiraz (c. 1210–1291) is celebrated for blending warmth, wit, and wisdom in his masterwork Golestān (“The Rose Garden”). Unlike conventional treatises or purely lyrical collections, the Golestān interweaves terse prose narratives with lyrical couplets, creating a seamless tapestry that delights readers with both story and song. In this …
Whispers Behind the Veil: Erotica in Classical Persian Literature
Classical Persian literature brims with sensual imagery and erotic undertones—yet its “eroticism” transcends mere titillation. From the ghazals of the medieval courts to the Masnavi’s allegories, erotic motifs serve as a language of longing, a bridge between human desire and divine union. In this post, we’ll explore how Persian poets …
Signing Off in Style: The Poet’s Signature (Takhallus) in the Ghazal
In the world of the ghazal—a lyrical form defined by its couplets, rhyme, and refrain—one of the most charming traditions is the takhallus, or poet’s pen-name. Often tucked into the final couplet, the takhallus serves as both a signature and a creative device. Far from a mere autograph, it …
The Music of Words: Appreciating Meter (ʿAruz) in Classical Persian Verse
The beauty of classical Persian poetry lies not only in its imagery and philosophical depth but also in its musical pulse—the hidden rhythm that carries every couplet. That pulse springs from the art of ʿAruz (عروض), the quantitative prosody inherited from Arabic and adapted with elegant subtlety into Persian. …
Stanzas of Splendor: Exploring the Mosammat, Tarkib-band, and Tarji-band
Exploring Stanzas of Persian Poetry
Mosammat, Tarkib-band, and Tarji-band. I'll explain each form, starting with:
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Mosammat: Features repetition of rhyme within stanzas with a couplet structure (XAXA rhyme in each hemistich).
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Tarkib-band: A compound form with stanzas sharing a refrain that repeats throughout.
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Tarji-band: Similar to Tarkib-band …
More Than Fragments: Understanding the Qetʿeh in Persian Poetry
Exploring the Qet'eh in Persian Poetry
Often overshadowed by grand qasidas, ecstatic ghazals, or pithy rubāʿiyyāt, the qetʿeh (also spelled qitʿah) is a short, self-contained verse form that packs surprising depth. Literally meaning “a piece” or “fragment,” the qetʿeh thrives on focus and intensity—whether celebrating a …