A Study of Historical Method and Insight of Abassgholi Agha Bakikhanov (with Emphasize on Golestan Iram)

Abstract

Abassgholi Agha Bakikhanov is one of the few historians of the contemporary period who used new methods and techniques such as geography, archeology, anthropology, in compiling his work. he has considered history as a wide circle, unlike his ancestors who noticed only political history. he has stepped beyond the circle of the old traditions of historiography and topics such as social, economical, literal, cultural and civilizational history. he has criticized most of narrations which he has used. also ha neither considered an especial role for fate in history, nor regarded history from a lesson- giving aspect, but as an instrument for discovering the causes of decline and prosperity of nations and communities, an also as a standard to modify their good and bad. Besides these features and benefits, he also has flaws. Bakikhanov did not consider topics such as social classes, trade and nomadic life. in compare with his writing other works such as Qrabaghnames have not neglected these issues. Historical periods in Golestan Iram are based on dynesties, even though neither of histories contemporary to Golestan Iram (like Qrabaghnames which were writtem within a few decades) are equivalent.

Keywords

• abassgholi agha bakikhanov
• golestan iram
• historical method and insight
• historiography
• qrabaghnames