An Analysis of the Sociocultural Conditions of the Qajar Period with an Emphasis on the Status of Women

Investigating the sociocultural conditions of the Qajar Dynasty is of great significance, since it ruled over Iran for a long time, and during those years, had noticeable effects on the cultural, social, economic and political dimensions of the Iranian society, especially women’s status. In the present research, using the library method, it is attempted to explain the sociocultural conditions of this period and suggest analyses based on historical data with an emphasis on the status of women. A glance at the sociocultural status of this era shows that the status of women in two different social categories has been reported, namely that wealthy and court women enjoyed a high social status while poor and illiterate women had a low one. Based on this and the high percentage of financial and cultural poverty during this period, it seems that most women had an unfavorable social status. Moreover, historical data reveals that problems such as illiteracy, superstitions, the increase of child mortality, non-compliance with women’s rights and the like, had a negative impact on women during this time. In the meantime, the economic poverty and the failed political conditions had led to the division of women into two different classes.