Iranian Studies in France; A review of Iranian Studies of the Asian Society of Paris (1822-1922)

The present study is based on the history of Iranian studies of the Asian Society (La Société asiatique) of Paris based on its official organ, the Asian Journal (Journal asiatique). Since from the beginning, there are several articles related to the history and culture of Iran in this journal, and according to the data extracted from the journal in the first hundred years of the Society with quantitative and qualitative analysis and review of Iranian studies articles, it is possible to determine the position of Iran in the Oriental studies of Society from the very beginning, and the position of different scientific schools especially philology and ancient languages can be seen. Also, the scientific and cultural relations between Iranians and prominent French Iranologists can be observed. Following these studies, other insights such as the motivations, concerns, and goals of the sponsors and the research priorities and missions defined by the Society have been obtained. Finally, by examining all these cases, it can be seen that during the period under review, the view of French Iranologists towards Iran and Iranians has always been friendly and respectful. The present result is independent of the perceptions and opinions of European orientalists, especially French, and is only relevant to the Iranologists of Asian Society.