THE ROLE OF TRADITIONALISM AND LITERARY INFLUENCE IN THE EPICS “SADDI ISKANDARI” AND “KHIRADNOMAYI ISKANDARI”

Year 2026, Issue: 117, 617 - 635, 15.03.2026

Umida Otayarova

https://doi.org/10.60163/tkhcbva.1657774

https://izlik.org/JA68BA88LK

Abstract

There have been people in world history whose lives have become intertwined with myths to the point where the real history and the myths have become inseparable. Alexander the Great is one of these figures, who became famous in the East under the names of Zulkarnayn, Alexander the Great, and Alexander the Great. He (356-323) was a famous military leader and statesman, and shortly after his death, Cliparchus and Onescritus wrote about his life and military campaigns. These works were created along with the historical and biographical works of the Greek writer Plutarch about Macedon. As a result, myths and legends began to appear about Alexander. The works in this category can be divided into two types. The first is historical works dedicated to Alexander's campaigns and governance of the country. The second is artistic works in which his positive qualities are glorified and his negative aspects are condemned. The image of Alexander in Turkish and Persian literature is not always glorified as a positive hero, but sometimes appears in the form of an invader and tyrant king. It should be especially noted that Alexander did not retain his image in either historical or artistic works. In whatever historical period, in whatever environment, and in whatever religious doctrine the language of the people was written, he was enriched by the point of view of that people and nation. From the 10th century, this image was perfected as a traditional symbol of epic poetry. The Persian poet Abulqasim Firdausi, in his epic poem "Shahnama", for the first time in Eastern literature, elevated the image of Alexander to the level of a main character. In creating the epic, the writer relied mainly on the materials of "Khudoynamak", various legends and tales, as well as, albeit partially, the novel "Pseudo Callesphene". It focuses on Alexander's heroic and fantastic adventures, telling about his battle with Darius, his march to India, China, Mesopotamia and other countries, his journey into darkness, his construction of a fortress to block the path of Gog and Magog, his battle with various terrible animals, etc. The first person to write about the image of Alexander as an independent work of art was Nizami Ganjavi. The poet artistically portrays the image of Alexander, raising him to the level of a just king and prophet. The young ruler does not think about gaining wealth, fame or a country, but rather wages wars only to protect peoples suffering from oppression. Later, Khusrav Dehlavi, Abdurahman Jami, and Alisher Navoi created special epics about Alexander, imprinting his image on the pages of fiction. In literary criticism, the question of which of the Iskandar names of Alisher Navoi and Abdurahman Jami was created earlier is controversial. Some literary scholars note that the epic poem "Khiradnomayi Iskandari" was completed first, and the epic poem "Saddi Iskandari" was created as a prelude to it.Other literary scholars say that the poem "Saddi Iskandari" was written and completed before "Khiradnomayi Iskandari". The main reason for this is that in Alisher Navoi's work "Muhokamat ul-lughatain" "... Also, because the basis of "Saddi Iskandari" was laid by the engineer of memory Hazrat Makhdum (Abdurrahman Jami) sought reform and support from "Khiradnoma" (Alisher Navoi, 2000: 26) – (i.e., I relied on the help of Abdurakhmon Jami for the work "Saddi Iskandariy"). Although Alisher Navoi completed the epic before his teacher (but began writing after Jami), he writes that he received support from Jami out of respect and humility. This article reveals the similarities and differences between the epics of the two great poets, their attitude to tradition, and their creative originality.

Keywords

Iskandarnoma , Epic , Stories , Composition , Subject , Traditionalism , Innovation.

Project Number

UO‘K 891.709:894.3

“SEDD-İ İSKENDERΔ VE “HIREDNÂME-İ İSKENDERΔ DESTANLARINDA GELENEKÇİLİK VE EDEBÎ ETKİNLİKLERİN ROLÜ

https://izlik.org/JA68BA88LK

Abstract

There have been people in world history whose lives have become so intertwined with
myths that the real history and the myths have become inseparable. Alexander the Great (bc.
356-323) is one of these figures, who became famous in the East under the names Zulkarnayn
and Iskandar. He was a renowned military leader and statesman. Shortly after his death, writers
like Callisthenes, Cleitarchus, and Onesicritus wrote about his life and military campaigns.
These works, along with historical and biographical accounts by Greek writers like Plutarch,
led to the proliferation of myths and legends about Alexander. Works in this category can
be divided into two types: First, historical works dedicated to Alexander’s campaigns and
his governance. Second, literary works that glorify his positive qualities while sometimes
condemning his negative aspects. The image of Alexander in Turkish and Persian literature is
not always that of a positive hero; he can also be portrayed as an invader and a tyrannical king.
It’s important to note that Alexander’s image did not remain static in either historical or literary
works. His persona was enriched by the viewpoints of the people and nations whose languages
were used to write about him, regardless of the historical period, cultural environment, or
religious doctrine. From the 10th century onwards, this image was perfected as a traditional
symbol of epic poetry. The Persian poet Abulqasim Firdausi, in his epic poem Shahnameh,
was the first in Eastern literature to elevate the figure of Alexander to the level of a main
character. In creating the epic, Firdausi relied mainly on materials from Khudaynamah, various
legends and tales, as well as, albeit partially, the novel Pseudo-Callisthenes. The epic focuses
on Alexander’s heroic and fantastic adventures, narrating his battle with Darius, his marches to
India, China, and Mesopotamia, his journey into darkness, his construction of a fortress to block
the path of Gog and Magog, and his battles with various mythical creatures. The first person to
write about Alexander as an independent work of art was Nizami Ganjavi. The poet masterfully
portrays Alexander, raising him to the level of a just king and a prophet. This young ruler is
depicted as not seeking wealth, fame, or territory for himself, but rather waging wars only to
protect peoples suffering from oppression. Later, Amir Khusrow Dehlavi, Abdurrahman Jami,
and Alisher Navoi all created special epics about Alexander, solidifying his image in fictional
literature. In literary criticism, the question of which of the Iskandarnamas by Alisher Navoi
and Abdurrahman Jami was written first is a point of contention. Some literary scholars note
that the epic poem Khiradnamayi Iskandari was completed first, with Saddi Iskandari being
created as a prelude to it. Other literary scholars, however, state that the poem Saddi Iskandari was written and completed before the Khiradnamayi Iskandari. This is primarily because
Navoi, in his work Muhakamat al-Lughatain, states that the foundations of Saddi Iskandari
were laid by Hazreti Mahdum (Abdurrahman Jami), whom he refers to as the “engineer of
memory,” and therefore he sought his guidance and support. Although Navoi completed his
epic before his teacher, he stated that he wrote it with Jami’s support out of respect and humility.
This article explores the similarities and differences between the epics of these two great poets,
their attitudes toward tradition, and their creative originality

Keywords

İskenderiye , Destan , Hikâyeler , Kompozisyon , Konu , Gelenekçilik , Yenilik

Ethical Statement

Bilim adamlarını bir araya getirdiğiniz için teşekkür ederiz

Project Number

UO‘K 891.709:894.3

Thanks

Mütevazi araştırma makalelerimizin yayınlanmasına yardımcı olduğunuz için teşekkür ederizTeşekkürler

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