Abstract
Abstract The Safavid dynasty ruled Persia between sixteenth and eighteenth centuries and is known as a turning period in the political, social and religious trajectories of Persian history. The ethnographic literature about the Safavid Persian culture written by Western travelers is an indication of the forming relations between the West and the Orient. The travelogues indicate that Safavid discourses of sexuality were different from their counterparts in the West. These non-binary discourses were not based only on gender and sexual orientation, but also on social factors such as age, class and status. Relations of these factors to different forms of “masculinities/femininities” were focal for gendered and sexual categorization. Nonbinary sexual/gendered identities and expressions were explicit, and a sexual continuum was prevalent. The fundamental differentiation of masculinity and femininity were not valid, and sexual relationships were not confined to heterosexuality. This study uses historical sources to explore the discourses of gender and sexuality during the Safavid era. Drawing on criticisms of Orientalism, implications of Western narratives on our understandings of sexuality and gender in the Safavid era are discussed.
Highlights
Safavid dynasty ruled Persia for over two centuries between 1501 and 1736 C.E
This study uses historical sources to explore the discourses of gender and sexuality during the Safavid era
The founding of the Safavid dynasty is said to mark the genesis of the Persian nation-state (Matthee)
Summary
Safavid dynasty ruled Persia for over two centuries between 1501 and 1736 C.E. During this era, many encounters between the Persian and the Western culture took place and grew over time. The Safavid era is considered a turning point in Persian history. European states sent ambassadors to Safavid Persia mostly for political and economic reasons, but there were other travellers such as missionaries, writers and adventurers who travelled for personal, commercial, military, missionary other reasons. These travellers have written extensively about the differences between the Safavid discourses of gender and sexuality and the discourses that were prevalent in the West at the times of their visitations
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