An analysis of the factors affecting hunting, its goals and functions in the Nasserite era

Kings have had different funs in most historical periods, but one of the common funs is hunting. Different dynasties ruling of Iran have always paid special attention to hunting and the Qajar period is one of the most prominent of these periods, especially in the Nasserite era, Nasser al-Din Shah, princes and even ordinary people were very interested in hunting and therefore engaged in hunting every day. In the present study, attempt will be made to by descriptive-analytical method and by using travelogues, memoirs and documents, answer the question that what were the factors affecting hunting, hunting functions and hunting goals in the Nasserite era? The findings of the study indicate that the climate, sanctuaries, abundance of hunting grounds, physical strength of people, unfounded beliefs, variety of hunting tools and admirable behavior, have been effective factors in the hunting method in this period. Hunting during the Qajar period, especially during the Nasserite era, was carried out in two forms, free and enclosed. In free hunting, the king and everyone else were allowed to hunt, but enclosed hunting was often reserved for the king. Although the king and courtiers' first motivation of hunting was entertainment, in fact also followed other purposes such as skill training, providing food from hunting meat, strengthening foreign relations by sending hunted animals as disgrace, satisfying the sense of warfare and power, and averting possible dangers.