A Study Of The Reasons Behind Evolution Of The Content Of Ode In samanid, Ghaznavi, And Seljuk Era Fococing On Politicl And Social Discourse

Literature and its various forms have always been shaped by societal influences and the prevailing political and social currents. It can be argued that social developments have defined or altered the trajectory of literature. Among the various literary forms, the ode has been particularly affected by social movements and governmental ideologies throughout different historical periods, especially in terms of theme and content. This research aims to analyze the impact of political and social conditions, as well as changes in government, on the content of odes from the 4th to the 6th century, specifically during the Samanid, Ghaznavid, and Seljuk periods. The study will employ a descriptive-analytical approach to explore these various aspects.
This research indicates that during the Samani period—a time characterized by prosperity, authority, and social security—the predominant themes of odes focus on the depiction of nature, joyful gatherings, and moderate praise. However, when the Turkic Ghaznavid dynasty rises to power, poetry is employed as a tool to promote their military authority and expand their territory. Consequently, exaggerated and insincere praises become the prevailing content of their poems. Finally, in the Seljuk period, marked by chaos, social unrest, and the decline of Iranian society, themes of advice, admonition, and, subsequently, severe criticism and protests against societal misfortunes become widespread in odes. 
Introduction:
Literature serves as a vital function of society and is consistently influenced by social changes. As society evolves, various literary genres undergo transformations not only in structure but also in content and themes. Throughout different historical periods, factors such as religious ideologies, changes in government, and political processes have significantly impacted literary developments. Some experts argue that most important engine of literary developments is social changes (Shamisa, 2013, 39).
The ode (Qasidah) is a form of classical Persian poetry that has persisted to the present day, despite various ups and downs and changes throughout history. Like other literary forms, poetry has undergone numerous transformations over time, resulting in shifts in both content and theme. Consequently, the form and structure of the ode have also evolved. The subjects and themes of each ode have been influenced by the political and social contexts of different eras, leading to various types of odes, such as praise, description, lamentation, satire, advice, and criticism. Classical poems primarily focus on praising kings and elites, describing nature, offering advice, and occasionally protesting or critiquing the prevailing circumstances.
Literature serves a vital function in society and is consistently influenced by social changes. As society evolves, various literary genres undergo transformations not only in structure but also in content and themes. Throughout different historical periods, factors such as religious ideologies, changes in government, and political processes have significantly impacted literary developments. Some experts argue that the most important engine of literary development is social change (Shamisa, 2013, 39).
The ode (Qasidah) is a form of classical Persian poetry that has endured to the present day, despite experiencing various fluctuations and transformations throughout history. Like other literary forms, poetry has undergone numerous changes over time, resulting in shifts in both content and theme. Consequently, the form and structure of the ode have also evolved. The subjects and themes of each ode have been shaped by the political and social contexts of different eras, leading to various types of odes, including praise, description, lamentation, satire, advice, and criticism. Classical poems primarily focus on praising kings and elites, depicting nature, offering counsel, and occasionally protesting or critiquing the prevailing circumstances.
Materials and Methods:
This research study was conducted using a descriptive-analytical method and a library-based approach. To narrow the scope of the research, one or two ode poets were selected from the Ghaznavid, Seljuk, and Mughal periods. Subsequently, their poems were examined in the library, and the most significant themes were identified and categorized. Finally, the themes that underwent meaningful and comprehensible changes during the evolution of the poetic form of odes were analyzed. Additionally, the transformation of these themes and the impact of governmental changes on such transformations were elucidated.
Results and Discussion:
The ode, as one of the prominent literary forms, has been significantly shaped in terms of theme and content by social trends and governmental ideologies throughout various historical periods. This research aims to examine the influence of political and social circumstances, as well as changes in governance, on the content of odes from the fifth to the seventh century, specifically during the Ghaznavid, Seljuk, and Mongol eras, and to reflect on its various aspects.
In the Ghaznavid era, the ode emerged as the dominant literary genre, primarily focused on themes of praise, particularly in the works of poets such as Farrokhi and Onsori. During this period, composing poems that extolled the virtues of sultans was a widespread practice. The praise poems crafted by court poets predominantly celebrated the valor, authority, justice and generosity of their subjects. The Ghaznavid kings, eager to immortalize their achievements and conquests, incentivized poets with blessings and valuable gifts.
The primary distinction between the praise odes of the Samanid and Ghaznavid periods lies in their use of exaggeration. The Samanid princes, being descendants of noble families and wise, benevolent rulers, were hesitant to accept ranks and titles. Consequently, the praise poems from this era were characterized by moderation and restraint, focusing solely on genuine qualities.
However, if poets intended to laud the parvenu Ghaznavid kings—who lacked noble lineage and were once regarded as slaves and soldiers of the Samanids—they were likely to exaggerate their attributes. The ode poets of this era often detached themselves from reality when composing praise odes, falling into the trap of fantasy by depicting the subjects of their admiration as idealized and unattainable figures.
Although praise odes were completely prevalent in the Seljuk period as in the previous period, the main change in the odes of this period was the introduction of two main themes into the field of odes: advice and admonition and criticism of the existing situation. Unsettled social situation during the Seljuk period caused the two mentioned themes to be added to the content of the odes of this period along with praise. The representative of ode writers who included advice and admonition is Nasser Khosrow whose poems are full of commanding good deeds and forbidding corruption, hypocrisy, and lies; Sana'i Ghaznavi is regarded as the representative of critical ode writers. The chaotic and decadent society of the Seljuk period compelled Sana'i Ghaznavi and many other poets of that time to react and deliver their criticisms to leaders and sultans in the form of odes against the social corruption and the decadent and declining society.
The Mongol period was marked by unrest and oppression under the Ilkhanid rulers, which led to a notable trend in poetry among poets and writers. This trend was characterized by abundant criticism and explicit objections to the prevailing conditions. During the tumultuous era of the Mongol invasion, as chaos and disorder escalated, the corruption and moral decay of the rulers became evident. Social corruption, the displacement of societal values and norms, and the proliferation of moral vices permeated various aspects of society. As a result, critical poetry and protest literature gained unprecedented popularity during this time. In this dark era, critical poems emerged in more expressive forms than the protest literature of the 6th century. Poets such as Saif Farghani, Suzani Samarqandi, Obeid Zakani, and Hafez Shirazi articulated sharp and candid critiques in their works.
Conclusion:
Exploring the reasons behind the changes in the content and themes of odes during the Ghaznavid, Seljuk, and Mongol periods reveals a significant and meaningful trend that aligns with social transformations, shifts in governance, and evolving attitudes. The research findings indicate that when the Turkic Ghaznavid dynasty ascended to power in the fifth century, it utilized poetry as a means to promote its military authority and expand its territorial reach. Consequently, exaggerated and insincere praises became the prevailing themes of the ode.
In the 6th century, during the rule of the Seljuk Empire—a time marked by chaos, social disorder, and the decline of Iranian society—praise continued to be a prominent theme in poetry. However, advice and admonitions gradually began to emerge alongside these praises in Persian literature. By the 7th century, amid the atrocities, inhumanities, and oppressions of the Mongol conquest, poetry shifted dramatically. Bitter criticism and vehement protests against societal miseries became prevalent, ultimately replacing the hollow praises of earlier periods.