Iranian Woman as Reflected in Travel Books written in Qajar Period by European Travelers

Foreign travelers to any country usually record their observations precisely and these recordings provide any nation with valuable resources based on which they could scrutinize the dominant culture and worldview prevailing in a specific period of time in the target land. The present paper aims to delineate foreign travelers’ outlooks and viewpoints regarding Iranian women in Qajar period as reflected in their travel books. To this end, their observations regarding women’s personality traits, clothing style, habits, beliefs, familial relationships and appearance are analyzed. It should not be forgotten that while many of these observations are recorded impartially and objectively, we could positively assume that these recordings are by no means devoid of prejudice and preconception. Readers will get acquainted with many startling and absorbing facts regarding women which could not be found in native sources.