Self-presentation of the Authority of Medieval Muslim Rulers Based on the Materials of the «Dastar-nama» of Khushkhal-khan Khattak

In the Middle Ages, the Muslim ruler in the East not only embodied political power, but often claimed to be a source of knowledge about the world around him for his subjects and was an authority and role model for them. In the Middle Ages, we can observe a tendency among rulers to create didactic works in which the ruler sought to set out his views on a wide variety of aspects of life. This is the work of Khushkhal Khan Khattak, the ruler of one of the Afghan principalities, who lived in the 17th century, who is also considered the most outstanding Afghan poet, who created many works, including "Dastar-nama" (The Book of the Turban). This final qualifying work is devoted to the self-presentation of the authority of a medieval Muslim ruler based on the analysis of this treatise, part of which was first translated from Pashto into Russian. The object of the study is the treatise itself, and the subject is the features and methods of forming the image of the ruler in it. The purpose of the work is to identify how Khushkhal Khan Khattak constructs ideas about the ideal Muslim ruler and what methods of self-presentation he uses. To achieve this goal, the following tasks were set: to consider the authority of the ruler in the spiritual and ethical sphere, to study its manifestations in the socio-cultural context, and to identify the key characteristics of the image of the ideal ruler, head of the family and householder. The methodological basis of the study was the approach to the study of mentalities proposed by E. Yu. Zubkova and A. I. Kupriyanov. The work was carried out in line with the direction that involves the analysis of mentalities of a specific period. The main methods were textual analysis and axiological research. Reliance on the concept of authority developed by A. V. Marey allowed us to better understand the mechanisms of power formation in the Pashtun society of the 17th century. The study allowed us to make three main conclusions. Firstly, Khushkhal Khan Khattak's ideas about the ideal ruler are formed at the intersection of Islamic values and the principles of the Pashtunwali code. The bearer of power must combine the moral qualities of a devout Muslim and such properties as justice, equality and independence, characteristic of the Pashtun tradition. Secondly, the analysis of the methods of self-presentation in the treatise shows that the author demonstrates a commitment to the elite practices of his time, such as calligraphy, horse riding and poetry, considering them to be integral attributes of a noble person. Thirdly, state governance in the view of Khushkhal Khan is not separated from the general principles of harmony, hierarchy and duty. Authority should be based on moral and ethical standards, and the ruler should be an example for subjects, achieving perfection in what all noble people should strive for. Thus, the study of "Dastar-nama" demonstrates the complex interaction of religious, ethical and cultural norms in the formation of the image of the ruler, reflecting the worldview and values of the Pashtun society of the 17th century.