Turkistan in Iranian Perspective in 13th – 15th Centuries (Reflections in Persian Poetry from Sa’di to Jami) Javad Abbasi Ferdowsi University of Mashhad Central Asia or as it was known in many medieval Persian sources “Turkestan” witnessed many significant developments during 13-15 centuries under the Qarakhataid, Mongol and Timurid empires. These developments affected attitudes and perspectives of neighboring territories from China to India and Iran about the region. Among these, Iranians, based on their strong historical and cultural connections with Central Asia, reacted to these developments and has been reflected in Persian literature and historiography. In this context Persian poetry is a significant source to understand how Iranian’s views about the region and its development has changed during the time. There are many reflections in Persian literature about Central Asia in this era under its historical terms including Turkistan, Turan, Samarqand, Bokhara and so on. In late 13th century Sa’di, who according to some narratives had traveled to the region, describes Turkistan as an outlying land by saying: ترسم نرسی به کعبه ای اعرابی این ره که تو می روی به ترکستان است And in late 15th century Abd al-Rahman Jami calls the region as his best desirable destination: جامی از ملک خراسان چه کنی عزم حجاز چون ترا کعبه مقصود به ترکستان است This presentation considers reflections of historical developments in Central Asia in Iranian perspective focusing on the Persian poetry during 13-15 centuries

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