From the mid-7th century AH, European travelers began arriving in Iran, a land then still marked by the Mongol conquests. By the late Qajar period, the number of visitors—both explorers and political envoys—had grown considerably, making their accounts especially significant.
European travelers during the Qajar era came either as political agents pursuing state objectives or as curious observers seeking to understand Iran’s culture, history, and heritage. Many recorded their journeys in travelogues, which, despite occasional biases, provide valuable perspectives on Iran’s past and identity. While these accounts do not capture the full scope of Iranian life, their external viewpoint adds depth to our understanding. The series Travelogues on Iran highlights the works of these travelers and envoys, preserving their unique observations of the country.
The Essence of Travelogues
European travelogues on Qajar-era Iran provide valuable insights into the culture and identity of the Iranian people. Even when writers like James Morier exaggerated Iranian flaws, their accounts still offer useful material for historical analysis.
These travelers can be divided into two groups: those with a positive view of Iran (e.g., Gobineau and Drovetti) and those who came with a critical or political/colonial agenda. Studying both groups is historically important.
They included military aides, political agents, archaeologists, Iranophiles, and curious travelers, all interested in Iran’s history, religions, beliefs, language, and daily life. They noted Iranians’ kindness, wisdom, and tolerance, though some negative traits were also recorded. Overall, however, Western observers tended to emphasize the admirable qualities of the Iranian people.
The travel writers highlighted in this series, all of whom visited Iran during the Qajar era, include Matthew Gardane, James Morier, Auguste Bon-Tan, Austen Layard, James Fraser, Count de Surcy, Arthur de Gobineau, Franklin Benjamin, Lady Sheil, Madame Carlasserna, Jouans Fourier, Ernest Ursell, Gaspar Drovetti, Claude Anne, Hugo Grote, among others.
This brief overview of these foreign visitors is intended to encourage readers to explore their travel accounts, providing greater insight into Iran’s history, culture, and the character and behaviors of its people throughout the period.
