Communication and Surveillance in the Buyids: Diwan al-Barid and Intelligence Activities

Sevgi Kübra Bilgin

Makale detayları

Communication and Surveillance in the Buyids: Diwan al-Barid and Intelligence Activities

Yazarlar:

Sevgi Kübra Bilgin

Yayıncı:

Afyon Kocatepe University

Ana Başlıklar:

İslam Tarihi ve Medeniyeti | Ortaçağ Tarihi (Diğer) | İslam Tarihi

Dergi:

Kocatepe İslami İlimler Dergisi Vol.8 Issue 1, pp.223-235

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

6/2025

Belge Dili:

Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.):

2001350294

pISSN:

2757-8399

Anahtar kelimeler:

Özet:

 The Buyids, who emerged in the regions of Iran and Iraq from the year 322 to 448 AH 934 to 1056 CE and originated from the region of Daylam, wielded considerable influence over the ʿAbbasid caliphs and were instrumental in shaping the political dynamics of that historical epoch. The Buyids, who had a military identity, attached importance to the organization of their state and established many administrative, financial, legal and military diwans in the governmental structure for this purpose. The diwan al-barid had a considerable significance among the other diwans. This particular diwan is also known by the designation Dîvânul-Haber vel-Berîd. The principal role of the diwan al-barid during the Buyids era was to enhance and guarantee the effectiveness of communication activities. The diwan al-barid also executed intelligence activities with high efficiency, both domestically and internationally. The disloyalty of the Daylamites, who constituted the core military force of the state, and their self-perception as deserving of the throne, along with other factors, contributed to the unease of the Buyid emirs. Consequently, the emirs resorted to utilizing spies to manage these individuals, whose allegiance was not anchored in any particular ideological framework. Furthermore, these spies were instrumental in monitoring occurrences within both the royal court and the broader populace. This surveillance instilled a heightened awareness among state officials and the general public that they were subject to observation, fostering caution in their actions. The Buyid emirs demonstrated considerable diligence in the cultivation of personnel designated for roles within the diwan al-barid and the broader intelligence apparatus. These included officials such as scholars, sufi and darwishes. In particular, for the role of foot couriers within this structure, public athletic competitions, including running races, were organized to facilitate the expeditious transmission of communications. Drawing upon individual events and didactic narratives as conveyed by primary sources, this study offers an in-depth analysis of the operational mechanisms of the diwan al-barid, an institution that played a pivotal role within the Buyids State. Additionally, the paper evaluates the importance of intelligence activities within the state organization.

 The Buyids, who emerged in the regions of Iran and Iraq from the year 322 to 448 AH 934 to 1056 CE and originated from the region of Daylam, wielded considerable influence over the ʿAbbasid caliphs and were instrumental in shaping the political dynamics of that historical epoch. The Buyids, who had a military identity, attached importance to the organization of their state and established many administrative, financial, legal and military diwans in the governmental structure for this purpose. The diwan al-barid had a considerable significance among the other diwans. This particular diwan is also known by the designation Dîvânul-Haber vel-Berîd. The principal role of the diwan al-barid during the Buyids era was to enhance and guarantee the effectiveness of communication activities. The diwan al-barid also executed intelligence activities with high efficiency, both domestically and internationally. The disloyalty of the Daylamites, who constituted the core military force of the state, and their self-perception as deserving of the throne, along with other factors, contributed to the unease of the Buyid emirs. Consequently, the emirs resorted to utilizing spies to manage these individuals, whose allegiance was not anchored in any particular ideological framework. Furthermore, these spies were instrumental in monitoring occurrences within both the royal court and the broader populace. This surveillance instilled a heightened awareness among state officials and the general public that they were subject to observation, fostering caution in their actions. The Buyid emirs demonstrated considerable diligence in the cultivation of personnel designated for roles within the diwan al-barid and the broader intelligence apparatus. These included officials such as scholars, sufi and darwishes. In particular, for the role of foot couriers within this structure, public athletic competitions, including running races, were organized to facilitate the expeditious transmission of communications. Drawing upon individual events and didactic narratives as conveyed by primary sources, this study offers an in-depth analysis of the operational mechanisms of the diwan al-barid, an institution that played a pivotal role within the Buyids State. Additionally, the paper evaluates the importance of intelligence activities within the state organization.

 The Buyids, who emerged in the regions of Iran and Iraq from the year 322 to 448 AH 934 to 1056 CE and originated from the region of Daylam, wielded considerable influence over the ʿAbbasid caliphs and were instrumental in shaping the political dynamics of that historical epoch. The Buyids, who had a military identity, attached importance to the organization of their state and established many administrative, financial, legal and military diwans in the governmental structure for this purpose. The diwan al-barid had a considerable significance among the other diwans. This particular diwan is also known by the designation Dîvânul-Haber vel-Berîd. The principal role of the diwan al-barid during the Buyids era was to enhance and guarantee the effectiveness of communication activities. The diwan al-barid also executed intelligence activities with high efficiency, both domestically and internationally. The disloyalty of the Daylamites, who constituted the core military force of the state, and their self-perception as deserving of the throne, along with other factors, contributed to the unease of the Buyid emirs. Consequently, the emirs resorted to utilizing spies to manage these individuals, whose allegiance was not anchored in any particular ideological framework. Furthermore, these spies were instrumental in monitoring occurrences within both the royal court and the broader populace. This surveillance instilled a heightened awareness among state officials and the general public that they were subject to observation, fostering caution in their actions. The Buyid emirs demonstrated considerable diligence in the cultivation of personnel designated for roles within the diwan al-barid and the broader intelligence apparatus. These included officials such as scholars, sufi and darwishes. In particular, for the role of foot couriers within this structure, public athletic competitions, including running races, were organized to facilitate the expeditious transmission of communications. Drawing upon individual events and didactic narratives as conveyed by primary sources, this study offers an in-depth analysis of the operational mechanisms of the diwan al-barid, an institution that played a pivotal role within the Buyids State. Additionally, the paper evaluates the importance of intelligence activities within the state organization.

 Hicri 322-448934-1056 yılları arasında İran ve Irak coğrafyasında hüküm süren ve kurucuları aslen Deylemli olan Büveyhîler Devleti, Abbâsî halîfelerini tahakkümleri altına almış ve devrin siyasetinde söz sahibi olmuştur. Askerî bir kimliğe sahip olan Büveyhî emîrleri, devletlerinin teşkilâtlanması hususuna önem vermiş ve bu amaçla devlet mekanizmasında idarî, malî, hukukî ve askerî nitelikli pek çok divan kurmuşlardır. Kurulan divanların en önemlilerinden biri Dîvânül-berîddir. Haberleşme alanındaki devlet teşkilâtlanmasını Abbasî geleneklerinden alarak kendilerine uyarlayan Büveyhîler Devletinde Dîvânül-Haber vel-Berîd olarak da bilinen Dîvânül-berîdin en önemli görevi, eyaletler arasındaki haberleşme faaliyetlerinin oldukça hızlı bir şekilde sağlanmasıydı. Bu divanın bir diğer fonksiyonu ise ülke içinde ve dışında etkin bir biçimde yürütülen istihbarat faaliyetleriydi. Devletin aslî askerî unsuru olan Deylemlilerin sadakatsizliği ve kendilerini tahta layık görmeleri gibi etkenler, Büveyhî emîrlerinin tedirginliğine neden olmaktaydı. Bu nedenle emîrler, bu kimseleri kontrol edebilmek adına casuslardan faydalanmışlardır. Bunun yanında saray içinde ve halk arasında meydana gelen hadiseleri de yine bu casuslar aracılığıyla takip etmekteydiler. Bu sayede devlet görevlileri ve halk etraflarında casusların bulunabileceği endişesi ile denetlendiklerinin bilincinde olmuş ve temkinli davranmışlardır. Büveyhîler Devleti emîrleri Dîvânül-berîd ve istihbarat teşkilâtı içerisinde yer alacak olan görevlilerin yetiştirilmesi hususunda ihtimam gösteriyordu. Muallim, sûfî, derviş gibi görevlilerin de bulunduğu teşkilât içerisinde yer alan yaya postacılığı vazifesi için halk arasında koşu yarışları gibi spor müsabakaları düzenlenmekte ve böylece haberleşmenin hızlı ilerlemesi sağlanmaktaydı. Yapılan bu çalışmada, ana kaynakların aktardığı münferit olaylardan ve didaktik anlatılardan yola çıkılarak Büveyhîler Devletinde etkin bir rol oynayan Dîvânül-berîdin işleyişi hakkında bilgi verilmiş, ardından da devlet mekanizması içerisinde istihbarat faaliyetlerinin önemine yönelik değerlendirmeler yapılmıştır.

Makale detayları

Communication and Surveillance in the Buyids: Diwan al-Barid and Intelligence Activities

Yazarlar:

Sevgi Kübra Bilgin

Yayıncı:

Afyon Kocatepe University

Ana Başlıklar:

İslam Tarihi ve Medeniyeti | Ortaçağ Tarihi (Diğer) | İslam Tarihi

Dergi:

Kocatepe İslami İlimler Dergisi Vol.8 Issue 1, pp.223-235

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

6/2025

Belge Dili:

Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.):

2001350294

pISSN:

2757-8399

History

Buyids

diwan al-barid

intelligence

spy

postal pigeonTarih

Büveyhîler

Divanü’l-berîd

istihbarat

casus

posta güvercini.

Sayı

Makale detayları

Yazarlar: Sevgi Kübra Bilgin

Yayıncı: Afyon Kocatepe University

Ana Başlıklar: İslam Tarihi ve Medeniyeti | Ortaçağ Tarihi (Diğer) | İslam Tarihi

Dergi: Kocatepe İslami İlimler Dergisi Vol.8 Issue 1, pp.223-235

Belge Tipi: Makale

Yayın Tarihi: 6/2025

Belge Dili: Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.): 2001350294

pISSN: 2757-8399

Sayı

Yazarlar:

Sevgi Kübra Bilgin

Yayıncı:

Afyon Kocatepe University

Ana Başlıklar:

İslam Tarihi ve Medeniyeti | Ortaçağ Tarihi (Diğer) | İslam Tarihi

Dergi:

Kocatepe İslami İlimler Dergisi Vol.8 Issue 1, pp.223-235

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

6/2025

Belge Dili:

Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.):

2001350294

pISSN:

2757-8399