Iranian Clergy, Places and Religious Rituals as Viewed by Travelogue Writers in Qajar Period

Of the important sources of researchers to get knowledge about Iran and Iranians are the travelogues and writings of foreign merchants, travelers and politicians who have visited Iran or have settled in this country for a period of time. Among these, the travelogues written during the Qajar era are of great importance, because this period is concurrent with our contemporary history. Since, at that time, religion and religious traditions as well as the clergy class and religious rites were of considerable magnitude among different social classes and their personal and social life was influenced by religious beliefs, foreign researchers were interested in this issue and had written about it in their works. The author of this article discusses the situation and status of religious beliefs, religious places and religious rites as well as the role of the clergy in the society of Qajar period. For doing so, he relies on the writings of several European travelers such as Eugène Flandin, Heinrich Karl Brugsch, John Wishard, James Morier, Madam Karla Serna, Edward Brown, Henry-René D'allemagne, Ernest Orsel, Henry Beinder and Hugo Grothe.