Music Throughout the Ṣafavīd Period (Functions, Instruments, and Features

usic was an important manifestation of civilization during the Ṣafavīd era and was influenced by the cultural policies of Ṣafavīd kings and religious affairs of the day. Unlike Persian historiographical sources, European travelogues—an invaluable body of textual sources in Ṣafavīd era—contain ample and valuable information regarding the vicissitudes of music. The present study is a historical and library research. It explains the significance of music in Ṣafavīd era and analyzes the status and function of music in this era following the descriptive-explanatory method and the remaining travelogues written by European travelers. The reports mention various functions of this art in social life and specifically in the Ṣafavīd court. Music had important political-administrative functions in the Ṣafavīd court; for instance, in accession and coronation of the king, military affairs, bestowal of the royal robe, and reception and welcoming of foreign committees. Functions of music in the social sphere, for instance, in national and religious holidays, royal games and entertainments, the wedding ceremony, announcements, messages, and assemblies and parties were also of utmost importance to the Ṣafavīds. Despite the favorable reports of Europeans on music in Ṣafavīd era, cultural and intellectual differences have led to an ignorance of some components of music, especially regarding Persian instruments.