وضعيت پوشاك زنان در عصر صفوي (با تكيه بر سفرنامه نويسان فرنگي)

Womenʹs Clothing in the Safavides age

The importance and value of women in Iranʹs history is a significant matter. As the Shia became the official religion of the country in Safavid dynasty, Iranian women were deeply affected by religious restrictions. Though the historians of that time couldnʹt be in touch with haremʹs women and couldnʹt make precise description of them. However the written history of safavidʹs tells us about womenʹs special appearance and hijab and the fact that their lives were hidden behind curtains. In that period of time Iranian men had a restrictive attitude towards their wives that forbade the women from making any relationships with other men. Based on the tradition of that era, showing womenʹs clothes publicly was not allowed. They believed by seeing a womanʹs dress one could form an image of her body in their mind. In fact womenʹs appearance was an important issue in Safavid era, and letting the others see face of a manʹs wife brought an absolute disgrace on him. In spite of all these efforts, women in harem had a special situation in a way that they were called "shadow state" and had a hand in politics and governing the country. After shah Abbasʹs reign they gained political power and strongly influenced the process of choosing kingʹs successor.