MOLLABASHI

The Mollabashi was the head of the religious institution in Iran under the late Safavid rule. It is a synthetic title from the Arabic word, mawla, meaning "lord," and the Turkish, bashi, or "head." The title of Molla refers to any Muslim scholar who has acquired a certain degree of religious education. During the last years of the Safavid rule, the Mollabashi was the head of the religious institution and a leading member of the Safavid administration system. In the earlier period of the Safavid kings, this title belonged to the most learned scholar of the time, who was considered as the Mollabashi.

The office of Mollabashi was created by the Safavid shah Sultan Hosayn, who ascended the throne as king of Persia in 1694. He instituted the office during the last years of his rule.The Mollabashi was nominated by the king himself and held held the post at the king's will.

As the chief of the Mollas, during the royal assembly the Mollabashi had a definite place near the king, closer than that of any other religious scholar.The Mollabashi did not interfere in any state affairs except for soliciting pensions for religious students and scholars. The Mollabashi also pleaded to the king directly on behalf of the aggrieved and oppressed, and for individuals convicted of crimes.

After the collapse of the Safavid state and during the reign of the Afsharid dynasty, the prerogatives of the Mollabashi office increased because the Mollabashi was the most powerful figure in the court. But by the fall of the Afsharid state and during the reign of the Qajar dynasty, the role of the Mollabashi was limited to that of tutor of the royal princes.

See alsoEmpires: Safavid and Qajar ; Molla ; Nader Shah Afshar ; Ulema .

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Arjomand, S. A. "The Office of Mullabashi in Shi˓ite Iran." Studia Islamica 57 (1989): 135–146.

Mansur Sefatgol