The emergence and spread of the Khawarij in Sistan and Kerman based on the theory of focus and periphery: a socio-historical analysis with emphasis on ethnic and geographical characteristics

Abstract

The present study, using the theory of concentration and periphery, examines the role of geographical, ethnic, and structural factors in the emergence and consolidation of the Khawarij in the regions of Sistan and Kerman. According to this theory, in centralized political systems, peripheral areas usually suffer from administrative instability, weak central control, ethnic divisions, and chronic deprivation, and for this reason, a suitable platform is provided for the growth of opposition movements and local resistances. The main question of this study is why the Khawarij were able to settle in Sistan and Kerman in a sustainable manner, while they were not able to have such a presence in the central regions of the Caliphate? The research method is historical-analytical and, by studying ancient sources and contemporary research, the interaction between the structure of the Caliphate and the peripheral regions of Iran is examined. The research findings show that the diverse tribal structure, distance from the center, weak administrative control, intra-ethnic conflicts, and tax pressures in these two regions allowed the Khawarij to create a kind of "alternative authority" within the heart of the Caliphate structure. As a result, the presence of the Khawarij in Sistan and Kerman should be considered an example of the action of the periphery against the center; an action that is rooted both in geographical deprivation and in the desire to restore native identity and resist domination.