A MAMLUK HERALDRY AND POLO-STICK RANK IN IRAN IN POLITICAL AND ARTISTIC SENSE

Abstract

The Middle Ages are a period of great upheavals for the Middle East. In this age when alliances, military and social movements, rulers, statesmen and commanders are important, many wars have taken place. The Ilkhanid governments established by the Mamluks and Mongols, a Turkish state, are the great powers of their time. Many people in these states have appeared on the stage of history in terms of their importance. One of these people is Amir Shams al-Din Qarasunqur al-Jukandar, who was taken as a slave by Sultan Qalawun at a young age. Qarasunqur is an important statesman who was the regent of the sultanate and governor of Hama, Aleppo and Damascus under the Mamluk rule. The most important event of Qarasungur in history was his asylum to the Ilkhanians in 1312. Qarasunqur, with his ambitious and political aspect, has often played a role in the political struggles of the Mamluk and Ilkhanid states. Qarasunqur had constant problems with the Mamluk state, where he held managerial positions at different levels. He is known for events such as the assassination of the Mamluk sultans and inciting them to wage war. In addition, he is at the center of political events so that his name can be mentioned in the treaties between the Mamluk and Ilkhanid states. Qarasunqur died in 1328 in Maragha and was buried in his mausoleum in this city. Jukan is an equestrian game similar to today's polo sport played in the Middle East and Asia. Jukan, an ancient sport, has also been seen as a part of a military training. The sport of jukan, played by different societies, was also enjoyed by the Turks. Even it is known that this sport was played in Seljuk and Mamluk states. In the Mamluk period, the official who carries the emperor's stick of jukan is called Jukandar. In the literary sources of the period, this game of jukan appears with symbolic meanings, especially jukan and jukan ball. These symbolic meanings describe love between people or divine love. In addition, the power of Allah is expressed with these symbolic elements. Heraldries used by rulers and emirs in Mamluks are called rank. This rank application is also encountered in Egypt, Syria and Jerusalem. These ranks, which show the political status of the person, have been used in architectural and different handicraft applications. While sultans used ranks such as lions and eagles representing their own powers, emirs naturally preferred the ranks which were required by their status and positions and that defined them. They used saqi-cupbearer, dawadar-penbox, silahdars-word, bunduqdar-bowman, buqja-napkin, taster-table, halberdier-ax and bannerbearerdouble flag renks. Jukandar was represented with the rank of jukan-stick. However, the use of this heraldry/rank, which is seen only in the Mamluk community, in Maragha by Qarasunqur, who was separated from them and later became the governor of Ilkhanid, offers an interesting approach in the relationship between politics and art.