Social Problems of Nasirid Era as Reflected in Qanun-i- Qazwini

The political and intellectual relationships between Iran and the European countries in the mid-Nasirid period, gave rise to some kind of reformism among the elites and the intellectuals. Accordingly, there were many critical writings about turbulent socio-political situation of Iran. They were written not only by the intellectuals but also by the lay people (including the artisans and businessmen). As the most interesting one is Qanun-i-Qazwini, a critical treatise by Muḥammad shafi’ Qazwini. What makes it most interesting is that the treatise was written not by an intellectual but by an artisan and businessman. This study attempted to reexamine the most important social problems of the Nasirid Time as represented by the Moḥammad Shafi. As Moḥammad Shafi pointed out, the social problems goes mainly back to the security and the economical structures. First chapter considers that how the economy would increase the social problems. The second chapter shows how the insecurity, as Qazwini said, may increase the rubbery. Using descriptive-analytical method, the author tried to explain the situation by comparing Qazwini’s studies with what happened in the Nasirid Time.