We are thrilled to announce a significant academic achievement from our co-founder, Dr. Leila Seyedghasem. Her latest scholarly work, a chapter on the classical Persian masterpiece The History of Beyhaqi, has been published by the prestigious Oxford University Press.
The chapter, titled “The Poetic of Preposing and Postposing: Taqdīm and Ta’khīr in The History of Beyhaqī,” is featured in the new collection, Arabic, Persian, and Turkic Poetics: Towards a Post-Eurocentric Literary Theory. This volume is part of the esteemed Proceedings of the British Academy series.
About the Collection: A Groundbreaking Work
This book is a pioneering work that offers a fresh perspective on Arabic, Persian, and Turkic literature in their interrelations. According to its official description:
The authors challenge Eurocentric paradigms while creating a framework for exploring these traditions on their own terms. Authored by an international team of scholars, the chapters centre the conceptual foundations of their respective literary traditions, with a focus on the discipline of comparative poetics (‘ilm al-balāgha) in the Islamic world. By liberating the study of Islamicate literary texts from Eurocentric theoretical paradigms, the book paves the way for a more inclusive global discourse in literary studies.
Dr. Seyedghasem’s chapter is a key part of this important mission to foster new methods of close reading that are in line with the aesthetic standards intrinsic to these texts and their traditions.
To see Dr. Seyedghasem’s chapter in the context of this groundbreaking collection, you can explore the book’s Table of Contents and details in this PDF.
About the Masterpiece: The History of Beyhaqi
For those unfamiliar with this cornerstone of Persian literature, Tārīkh-i Bayhaqī (The History of Beyhaqi) is a monumental work of history and prose written in the 11th century by Abu’l-Fazl Bayhaqi. While it primarily chronicles the history of the Ghaznavid dynasty, particularly the reign of Sultan Mas’ud, its importance extends far beyond mere historical record.
The book is celebrated for its unparalleled prose style—lucid, direct, and deeply engaging. At a time when many writers favored an ornate and complex style, Bayhaqi’s work was revolutionary for its clarity and narrative power. He was also a meticulous historian, committed to citing his sources and reporting events with a critical eye, often positioning himself as a direct witness to the inner workings of the court.
But what makes the book a timeless masterpiece is its profound literary value. It is filled with vivid character sketches, dramatic anecdotes, and insightful reflections on the nature of power, justice, and human fallibility. Bayhaqi was not just a chronicler; he was a master storyteller, making The History of Beyhaqi essential reading for anyone interested in Persian history, literature, and the art of prose.
A Journey of Deep Scholarly Inquiry
This new publication is the culmination of years of dedicated research. It builds directly upon the foundations of Dr. Seyedghasem’s acclaimed Persian book, The Rhetoric of Syntactic Structures in Tarikhe Beyhaghi. That work, celebrated for its groundbreaking analysis, was the recipient of two of Iran’s highest literary honors: the Jalal Al-e Ahmad Literary Award and Iran’s Book of the Year Award in 2018.
The publication of this chapter by Oxford University Press brings this deep, award-winning scholarship to a global academic audience, cementing its importance in the field of Persian literary studies.
The Scholarship Behind Our Courses
At Joy of Persian, we believe that the best learning comes from genuine expertise. This achievement is a clear reflection of the scholarly depth and passion that is woven into every course and resource we offer. The same rigorous analysis and love for the intricacies of Persian prose that are celebrated in this chapter are what guide Dr. Seyedghasem’s teaching methodology.
This is not just an academic milestone; it is a testament to the quality and authenticity of the education you receive with us.
Explore the Masterpiece with the Expert
If this news inspires you to explore the beauty of The History of Beyhaqi for yourself, there is no better guide. We invite you to experience this expertise firsthand in our comprehensive online course, Selections from the History of Beyhaqi.
In the course, Dr. Seyedghasem personally guides you through the complex narratives and brilliant prose of this classic, helping you to appreciate the very techniques she analyzes in her scholarly work.
Visit the course page to learn more and experience a free demo lesson.
