Neoplatonic kingship in the Islamic world: Akbar’s millennial history

Author(s):
Gommans, J.J.L. (0000-0001-9620-403X); Huseini, S.R. (0000-0002-9974-1583)
Editor(s):
Afzar Moin, A.; Strathern, A.
Published
2022
Publication type
Part of book or chapter of book

Abstract

On the basis of the neglected Mughal world history, the Tarikh-i Alfi, this study investigates the making of immanentist cosmic kingship under the aegis of emperor Akbar. This remarkable chronicle was part of a post-Islamic project to demarcate the end of the Islamic millennium and to announce the coming of Akbar as saviour with a new covenant of universal peace. During a global Neoplatonic Renaissance, it turned Akbar into a messianic philosopher-king. Different from his royal colleagues in the West, though, Akbar could build on an existing Neoplatonic legacy of Chinggisid rule and post-nomadic state-formation along the arid frontiers of the Islamic world.

AkbarMughal EmpireNeoplatonismMongol LegacySacred KingshipWorld-Histories
Date issued
2022-04-05
Language
English
Publisher
New York: Columbia University Press
Is part of
Sacred kingship in world history: between immanence and transcendence (2022), p. 192-222
ISBN source
9780231204170
hdl
1887/3420831
doi
10.7312/moin20416-010
URL
https://cup.columbia.edu/book/sacred-kingship-in-world-history/9780231204170#:~:text=Whereas%20immanence%20demands%20priestly%20and,rulers%20to%20higher%20ethical%20objectives.