Shawl Weaving in Iran; shawls Survey Trade Developments in Qajar Era (1209- 1344 AH / 1795-1925M)

Abstract

One of the most important industries during the Qajar period was shawl industry. In addition to the usage of the Iranian silk and wool in producing various kinds of silk carpets and fabrics, they were used in weaving shawls. After the establishment of the Qajar government and with the support of the government officials, shawl weaving became an important and valuable industry. Kerman, Mashhad and Kashan gradually became the centers for shawl weaving and played major roles in the growth and development of this industry. Contemporary with the development of the shawl industry in Iran, this good got economical and commercial importance besides its political and social significance. In fact, this issue could be a subject of an independent research. This study tried to examine the evolution of the shawl industry implementing a descriptive-analytical approach, relying on library resources and using the remaining Qajar consular documents. Two main issues were addressed in this study: firstly, what were the characteristics and the usage of the shawls in Qajar period, in Iran? Secondly, how was the quality of the shawl trade in this period? Research showed that shawls had diverse usage and functions in Iran. Due to the development of the shawl industry in Iran, its trade turned to an agenda in the Qajar government and they began to export it.