CSS Solved Political Science 2024 Past Paper I | Theory of Kinship by Nizamul-Mulk Tusi.
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Question Breakdown
The examiner has asked to elaborate on the theory of kinship as propounded by Nizamul-Mulk Tusi. The answer opens in a prologue, then, briefly apprehends the meaning of the theory of kingship. Afterward, provide a thorough discourse on his theory of kingship. In the end, write a critical analysis and conclusion.
Outline
1- Introduction
Nizam-Mulk Tusi, a political thinker and writer of the 11th century, propounded his theory of Kingship, much at the request of the then Seljuk Emperor Malik Shah. His famous work “Siyasat Nama” provided thorough guidelines for an effective administrative function, prominently, in the theory of kingship, he elaborated on the role of the king, his obligations, personal attachments, administrative astuteness, supervisory role, and characteristics.
2- Briefly understanding the term “the Theory of Kingship”
3- Contextualizing Nizamul-Mulk Tusi’s theory of kingship
4- Elaborating the theory of kingship as propounded by Nizamul-Mulk Tusi
- ✓ Necessity of a King
- ✓ Upholding justice and the rule of law
- ✓ Curtailing the misuse of political authority
- ✓ Evading despotism
- ✓ Preserving peace and stability
- ✓ Scrutinizing administrative structure and functions
4.2 ✓ Obligations of a King
- ✓ Personal attributes
- ✓ Connections with the nobility
4.3 ✓ Relationship between the king and his subject
- ✓ Receiving the conviction of people
- ✓ Subjugated role of the populace
5-Critical analysis
6-Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
Nizam-Mulk Tusi, a political thinker and writer of the 11th century, propounded his theory of Kingship, contributing to a legislative document for the Seljuk Empire. Tusi generated administrative instructions that uniquely matched the requirements of the government. Nizam-Mulk Tusi in his famous work “Siyasat Nama” provided thorough guidelines for an effective administrative function, propounding over the roles of statemen, kingship, masses, and justice system, which, later, contributed to the splendor, strength, development, peace, and stability of the empire. Most importantly, in the theory of kingship, he elaborated on the role of the king, his obligations, personal attachments, administrative astuteness, supervisory role, and characteristics, alongside, he conferred the status of king among his subjects and nobility and the role of the populace in a state. Thus, Nizam-Mulk Tusi in his Siyasat Nama elaborated on the role of a king by presenting the Theory of Kinship, primarily serving the Seljuk Empire in the 11th century.
Briefly understanding the term “the Theory of Kingship”
Before discussing the actual demand, knowing the term “theory of kingship” is pertinent, it would help to understand the primary agenda, the theory of Kingship propounded by Nizam-al-Mulk Tusi. King is a representative of the nation, a trustee of God, the guardian of his nation, and the strongest manpower who can tolerate and mitigate internal and external dangers and increase the strength and prestige of his kingdom through his shrewdness, chivalry, justice, and piety. Hence, the theory of kingship provides all foundational guidelines to a King, whether it is his character, his administrative policies, the law of his land, or his relations to the statemen, the subjects, and other nations.
Contextualizing Nizamul-Mulk Tusi’ theory of kingship
Nizam al-Mulk (1018-1092), having the real name Khwaja Abu Ali Hasan ibn Ali Ishaq, in his lifetime witnessed the lowest reputation and authority of the Islamic Caliphate. The Caliphate had been transformed from an office of a God-fearing leader to a democratic system and, eventually, to an autocratic office, which manipulated the legislation and administrative functions. Moreover, the transfer of the capital from Medinah to Damascus and from Damascus to Baghdad had contoured the Caliphate to an absolute monarchy. In addition, a sectarian divide among the Muslims, especially in Baghdad, the assimilation of the Turko-Persian Sunni Muslim empire, and the degradation of Islamic ideology compelled the Seljuk Sultanate to strictly formulate an administrative guide line purely based on the Guidance of the Qur’an, Sharia, and Sunnah. Thus, upon the request of Malik Shah, the successor of the Seljuk Empire, Nizam al Mulk not only composed his book Siyasat Namah, but Malik Shah acknowledged it as a guide to the constitution and law in all aspects of his state affairs.
Elaborating the theory of kingship as propounded by Nizamul-Mulk Tusi
The head of state in the Seljuk political system was called king who was deemed as the viceroy of God on earth. Tusi considered a state as the highest body to rejoice in the commandments of the Qur’an, the injunctions of Sharia, and the well-trodden path of the holy Prophet. Moreover, to Nizam-al-Mulk Tusi, Islam should never be detached from worldly affairs; every political, economic, and social matter of a state could be effectually tackled by employing the principles of Islam. This led him to formulate the theory of Kingship under the lights of Islamic values in his literary effort Siyasat Namah.
- ✓ Primary prerequisite for a king
Upholding justice and the rule of law
One of the fundamental rudiments of a king is holding justice and promoting the role of law. Nizam-al-Mulk Tusi argued that being just is the utmost characteristic of a sovereign. Every individual, regardless of his class, caste, designation, social status, family lineage, or political affiliation, is in of the box of the king’s justice. The king duly knows the Shaira ruling regarding punishment and should be swift in their implementation.
Curtailing the misuse of political authority
Likewise, the theory of kingship of Nizam al Mulk directed the legitimate use of political authority. King, along with his cabinet, ministries, and the state’s institutions, is not allowed to retrieve power and authority that is used for personal gain or internal motives. Every statesman is answerable before the court and would face his lord concerning his duties, conduct with the public, and the utility of his authority. Therefore, by crafting a retribution statement, Nizam al Mulk warned all the administrative officers and the king to abide by the rule of law and justice.
Evading despotism
Additionally, though Tusi advocated successive monarchy, he hated the practices of despotism. To him, Seljuk was the real owner of the sovereignty because of their superior lineage, knowledge, and personal characteristics. Nevertheless, merit must prevail in the kingdom and the king should be its advocate, as well as its implementor.
Preserving peace and stability
Attaining and preserving internal peace and external amicable relationships are crucial for the growth of nations. Nizam al Mulk stated its importance and said it was the duty of the king. A king must show courage to wage war, protect his masses, and safeguard their faith, yet patience, forgiveness, agreements, and mutual harmony should be avail by the King to procure lifelong peace at home and abroad.
Scrutinizing administrative structure and functions
Furthermore, examining the governmental structure, finding out its lacking and capacities, strictly diminishing corruption and mismanagement of office, and providing the office holders with the specialty of their task through knowledge are, also, responsibilities of the king, which Nizam al Mulk thoroughly preached in his Siyasat Namah.
- ✓ Obligations on a king
The head of state is not a mere figurehead, instead, his duties, particularly veracity, credibility, efficacy, and fair nature, necessitate him to obtain specific attributes.
Personal attributes
Thus, a sovereign must possess a virtuous character, morality, ethics, courage, piety, simplicity, and humbleness, impeccable looks should be the garments of his persona. He has a profound knowledge of the Quran, Shaira, Fiqh, art, and science. Another noble feature is the sovereign’s adherence to Islam, he must be God-fearing, and, accordingly, establish Shaira in his state, and should be concerned about the welfare of his people. Furthermore, Nizam al Mulk stated that a ruler should be a man with unrestricted valour, having adroitness in horsemanship, possessing the knowledge of and proficiency in the usage of numerous kinds of art, propagating pity and compassion upon the creatures of God, and practising regularity in the fulfilment of promises.
Connections with the nobility
Additionally, he asserted that a ruler must remain in constant consultation with men of caliber, possessing the characteristics, such as prudence, valiance, edification, religiousness, and morality. A ruler must delegate them a part of his administrative duties according to their aptitude. Furthermore, supervising men of caliber in their administrative duties to not disrespect the law of the land in their personal lives or misuse legal powers and instructing them to be mindful of their authority concerning the general public should also not be neglected.
- ✓ Relationship between the king and his subject
Receiving the conviction of people
Tusi’s Siyasat Namah proclaimed in the theory of kingship that stability, growth, and peace of the kingdom are only possible if the king makes every legitimate effort to win the trust of the people, as the support of his people is a synonym for his strength. Nevertheless, the king must watch himself against becoming a tyrant through practicing piety and following Shari’ah.
Subjugated role of the populace
Lastly, the role of the populace in the kingdom has also been gauged by Nizam al Mulk Tusi. The submissive status of the masses before the sovereign is crucial, it compels the people to observe the law of the land and the religious instruction while putting their trust in their leader in respect of their rights, protection, growth, and unity.
Critical analysis
Critically analyzing the above narration, there could be many culpabilities in Nizam al Mulk’s theory of kingship, like it intrigued religion with politics, and, ever, he gave superiority to religion over the law of the land. But every political theory has its ebbs and flows, the time phase and circumstantial parameters play important roles in the formation of a theory. Thus, by gauging the Seljuk political problems, Tusi contributed commendably to constructing an effective instructive rapport that best suited the requirements of the Seljuk Sultanate.
Conclusion
To sum up, Nizam al Mulk Tusi, a statesman, politician, and administrator, formulated the theory of kingship. His major work was dedicated to the Seljuk Empire of the 11th century, helping her to attain the acme of administration service. Especially, in his book, “Siyasat Namah,” Tusi proposed the theory of kingship, providing all necessary prerequisites to a king relating his kingship. He elaborated on the role of the Seljuk king, such as the guardian of faith, lives, and property of its people against internal and external evils. Moreover, he also proposed the characteristics of the king’s personality and defined the relationship between the sovereign and his masses.
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