A comparative study of men's head covering in the Timurid and Safavid periods (A case study of the illustrations of Shahnameh Baysongori and Shah Tahmasabi)

Head covering is one of the components of Iran's clothing culture, which, while inducing special concepts, has considerable diversity and is representative of social classes. The aim of the article is to understand the role and form of men's head covering in the Timurid and Safavid periods. Therefore, the research seeks to find out what the role, form and variety of head covering was in these two periods according to the illustrations of two Shahnameh Baysonghori and Shah Tahmasp. And what are the similarities and differences between these courses? The research approach is qualitative, and the method is descriptive, historical and comparative. In this historical process, the shape and form of hats, war helmets, turbans and crowns in the two Shahnamehs have been analyzed. The research findings show; Men's head covering of the Safavid period was influenced by the head covering of the Timurid period, but it can be said that in the Safavid period, the diversity of the form and the role of the headgear changed a lot compared to the previous period. Also, according to the style, form, color and decoration of hats and headgear, one can understand the social position of people wearing Covering the headgear. As a result of the Safavids' change of religion from Sunni to Shia,  witnessed extensive changes in the area of men's head covering during this time. The Qazalbash crown or turban of 12 Turks with a red rod, which was the symbol of the Shiites of the Twelve Imams, is one of its prominent examples.