New researches in Islamic humanities studies

New researches in Islamic humanities studies

Analysis of the Relations between the Sepahsalars and the Ministers of the Ghaznavid Government

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Samira GHasemirad 1
Amir Abdullahi 2
Mahboob Mahdavian 1
1 Department of History and Civilization of Islamic nations, Khoy.C., Islamic Azad University, Khoy, Iran
2 Department of History, Mak.C., Islamic Azad University, Maku, Iran
10.22034/api.2026.2078104.1558
Abstract
Objective: To analyze the competition between Turkic military commanders and Iranian ministers in the Ghaznavid rule and examine its consequences on the political and administrative structure of the empire. This research seeks to explore the dual nature of governance and the impact of this tension on the course of Ghaznavid history. This approach contributes to a deeper understanding of power dynamics in post-Islamic societies.
Method: Descriptive-analytical using primary historical sources such as Bayhaqi's history and Gardizi's works. Textual analysis and criticism were conducted based on the theoretical framework of elite competition.
Results: During the Ghaznavid period, power was held by Turkic military commanders, while Iranian ministers played a secondary and unstable role. This military dominance led to the weakening of administrative institutions, a decline in state revenues, and financial dependence on plunder-driven campaigns. This imbalance in the power structure hindered the formation of a cohesive administrative system.
Conclusions: The Ghaznavid state was an arena for the confrontation of two governance models based on the sword and the pen, resulting in political instability and reduced governmental efficiency. This confrontation illustrates an early pattern of the enduring struggle between the military and civil administration in Iranian history. This pattern challenged the nature of political legitimacy and management in Turko-Iranian empires

Graphical Abstract

Analysis of the Relations between the Sepahsalars and the Ministers of the Ghaznavid Government
Keywords
Ghaznavids
Ministry
Military Emirs
Sultans
Subjects
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New researches in Islamic humanities studies
Volume 4, Issue 7
April 2025
Pages 1-17