IRAN AND THE WORLD IN THE SAFAVID AGE
Abstracts

Sefatgol, Dr. Mansur, University of Tehran, Department of History, Tehran, Farang, Farangi and Farangistan: Safavid Historiography and the West (1501-1736)

The establishment of the Safavid state was the beginning of a new era in the political and cultural life of Iranian society. The rise and consolidation of the Safavids in Iran coincided with the expansion of European contacts with the rest of the world.  In this regard, two main factors, Trade and War intensified relations between Iran and the West in this period.  But the results were not solely economic or political.  The presence of the Westerners in Iran as travellers, merchants, adventurers and diplomatic envoys, was the main factor, which caused the Iranians to change their views and understanding of the West.  Despite the existence of the traditional ideas of the West which Iranian writers inherited from the pre-Safavid period, it seems they gradually changed their perception of the West . Then the Farang and Farangi became familiar to them. In this period Iranian society changed its views of the West through several channels.  Firstly, by direct contact with the Europeans who travelled and resided in Safavid capitals and other main cities. Secondly, through the Ottoman Empire and, finally, through India.

The main aim of this study is to analyse the question of the understanding and the explanation of the West held by the Safavid historians during this period.  Also, it examines the existing Persian documents and geographical texts dealing with this question. Since the religious point of view was a vital part of Iranian society throughout the Safavid period, it attempts to analyse the view of the West in religious texts. The study is principally based on Persian source materials.

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