Iranian Marriage Contracts of the 19th Century

This paper aims to the explorer social and economic status of the brides and grooms in the indicated time period, based on the content and the form of marriage contracts. Design: Data extracted from marriage contracts held at the National Archives of Iran was categorized and added into tables. Inferences were made based on such data. Social status of the couple had influence on the size, appearance and the content of the contracts. Mahriyyeh (=the sum of money, property, or valuable items that the bridegroom undertakes to pay the bride) varied, largely based on the economic and social status of the two sides. In the rural and tribal areas Mahriyyeh often included orchard, farmland, the share of irrigation water rights and sheep. In the urban areas, in addition to money, it consisted of gold, silver, slaves, and property. Marriage often took place among relatives with similar occupations or public positions and in close vicinities.