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The Persian Community of Hangzhou

Sun, June 26, 1:00 to 2:50pm, Shikokan (SK), Floor: 1F, 117

Abstract

In 1276 Bayan Noyan oversaw the peaceful transfer of power from the Song emperors to the Yuan Qa’ans. The Empress Dowager was placed in a slow boat to the capital, Khanbaliq, traveling up the Grand Canal from Hangzhou with her considerable retinue while the army commander struggled to appoint a new administration to what continued to be a thriving cultural and commercial metropolis. Whether Bayan’s formative years spent in the Western Regions particularly in Iran post 1256 influenced his choice of officials to run the city’s administration is contentious but what is certain is that a small but influential Persian community was established in Hangzhou soon after the city’s take over in 1276. Today a mosque and a small collection of well-preserved tombstones attest to the presence of this community. Though evidence on the nature of this community is very sparse what has come to light suggests that the Persian community of Hangzhou was wealthy, influential and popular. This paper will examine the nature of Hangzhou’s Persian community and will consider why they were welcomed and popular with the native population.

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