Mawlānā and Muin al-din Parwana in the Shadow of the Mongol Invasion

Abstract

The two most frequently mentioned figures during the Mongol Invasion, Vizier Muin al-din Parwana and Rumi, were not just two figures whose paths intersected in history. They were also close friends with a shared bond of affection. The close friendship between Rumi, whose actions shaped the course of the Mongol invasion and became a haven for the people of Anatolia, and Vizier Muin al-din Parwana, whose active political activities aimed to protect the interests of peace and tranquility in Anatolia, were among the key factors that shaped the course of the invasion. Vizier Muin al-din Suleiman Parwana, about whom the anonymous Seljuqname described the Mongols as "like a ring on his finger," is among the most important figures of the Mongol invasion period. According to information provided by Aksarâyî, Parwana, who came from a well-established family, was an intelligent and politically savvy figure. His father was Muhezzib al-Din Ali, a prominent vizier of the Seljuq state. Ali began serving the state during the reign of Ala al-din Kayqubad and was appointed vizier during the reign Ghiyath al-din Muhezzib al-Din Ali Ali, who was also in a critical situation during the Battle of Kösedağ, a turning point in Seljuq history, warned the sultan before the battle that abandoning the army's position would result in disaster. However, Sultan Ghiyath al-din Kaykhusraw II, a young and inexperienced ruler, acted on the advice of similarly inexperienced and adventurous commanders, resulting in a major defeat. To prevent the defeated state from falling into even worse straits and the nation from being subjected to oppression, Muhezzib al-Din Ali appeared before the powerful Mongol governor Baycu Noyan and signed a treaty. Muhezzib al-Din Ali took his son Parwana with him on this expedition. From an early age, Parwana learned the finer points of politics and state sensitivity from his father, who was dedicated to the well-being of the state. This legacy was inherited from his father, and in later years, he was appointed to government positions. Despite fulfilling important roles within the Seljuq state apparatus during a highly turbulent era, Parwana devoted all his time to the well-being of the state and the nation, falling victim to the forces of the chaotic political environment and paying the price for these efforts with his life. Parwana not only suffered from the chaotic environment of his time but also suffered the wrath of contemporary historiography. Many historians, when evaluating the relations that unfolded in this chaotic environment, place all the blame on Parwana, perhaps as a result of their attempt to whitewash the dynasty's members, thus portraying a negative image of the vizier. Rumi, who intimately felt the Mongol suffering and inscribed this discomfort in almost every verse, not only suffered the Mongols' cruelty, but also, like Parwana, suffered the cruelty of historians throughout history, becoming portrayed as aligned with the Mongols, whom he was deeply opposed to. While a disciple of Fakhr al-Din al-Irâkî, Vizier Parwana, who had close ties with Rumi, a respected guest at Rumi's lodge, is among the most frequently mentioned figures in Manāqib al-ʿĀrifīn Due to his close contacts with Rumi, Parwana is considered a significant figure in Seljuk history as well as in the Mevlevi order. This study will examine Parwana, a prominent figure in late-period Seljuk politics, in terms of his relations with the Mongols, his closeness to Rumi, and the impact of these relations on statecraft. His closeness to Rumi, their relations with Rumi, his influence on him, and their shared stance during the Mongol invasion will be discussed in light of information provided by relevant sources.

Affiliated Institutions

• Adnan Menderes University TR

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