Give examples of the cosmopolitan character of the states set up by Arabs, Iranians and Turks.
The word ‘cosmopolitan’ implies a characteristic that ensures familiarity with different countries and cultures. A country or state is referred to as cosmopolitan if it comprises multi-cultural demographics. The following points describe how the states under the control of Arabs, Iranians and Turks reflected a cosmopolitan character:
1) The Arabs brought the states of Syria, Iraq, Iran and Egypt under their control. This helped the Arabs to get exposed to the cultures of different countries. Although the majority of the people were followers of Islam, Christians, Zoroastrians, Jews, Bedouins etc. were also assimilated in the society.They were provided autonomy to conduct their communal affairs and granted the right to property and the right to religion on the payment of taxes like jizya and kharaj. People of different cultures were also given the opportunity to participate in the administrative machinery. For example, Bedouins served as soldiers to the Ummayad caliph. There is also evidence of Christian advisors in the administration, Zoroastrian scribes and bureaucrats.
2) The Iranians under the Abbasid dynasty also showcased the spirit of cosmopolitanism in the true sense. For the first time, caliphal status was claimed by local dynasties other than the Islamic dynasties of Spain, North America, etc. The Abbasids made their influence-base truly international, which was no longer determined by the Arab nationality; it rather got extended to the community of believers. Their cosmopolitan approach is understood from the acceptance of the Persian tradition of governance. Government services were open to non-Arabic-speaking population.
3) The Turks successfully created a hybrid civilization. Their idea of cosmopolitanism was based on the Islamic principles of humanism and tolerance. The Turks established themselves as the saviours and protectors of the people who had an experience of subjugation under other regimes. Under the reign of the Turks, the Persians, the Arabs, the Christians and the Jews lived peacefully.
1) The Arabs brought the states of Syria, Iraq, Iran and Egypt under their control. This helped the Arabs to get exposed to the cultures of different countries. Although the majority of the people were followers of Islam, Christians, Zoroastrians, Jews, Bedouins etc. were also assimilated in the society.They were provided autonomy to conduct their communal affairs and granted the right to property and the right to religion on the payment of taxes like jizya and kharaj. People of different cultures were also given the opportunity to participate in the administrative machinery. For example, Bedouins served as soldiers to the Ummayad caliph. There is also evidence of Christian advisors in the administration, Zoroastrian scribes and bureaucrats.
2) The Iranians under the Abbasid dynasty also showcased the spirit of cosmopolitanism in the true sense. For the first time, caliphal status was claimed by local dynasties other than the Islamic dynasties of Spain, North America, etc. The Abbasids made their influence-base truly international, which was no longer determined by the Arab nationality; it rather got extended to the community of believers. Their cosmopolitan approach is understood from the acceptance of the Persian tradition of governance. Government services were open to non-Arabic-speaking population.
3) The Turks successfully created a hybrid civilization. Their idea of cosmopolitanism was based on the Islamic principles of humanism and tolerance. The Turks established themselves as the saviours and protectors of the people who had an experience of subjugation under other regimes. Under the reign of the Turks, the Persians, the Arabs, the Christians and the Jews lived peacefully.
