The impact of cultural developments on modernization in Qajar Iran: A case study spanning the reigns of Fath Ali Shah to Mozaffar al-Din Shah

Rajabi, Aliasgar; Rezaei, Asma; Farahmand, Nasim

doi:10.30466/jhf.2025.55869.1021

The impact of cultural developments on modernization in Qajar Iran: A case study spanning the reigns of Fath Ali Shah to Mozaffar al-Din Shah

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of History, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Kharazmi University, Karaj, Iran.

² Department of History, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

10.30466/jhf.2025.55869.1021

Abstract

The reign of Fath Ali Shah (1250-1212 AH) coincided with scientific and industrial developments in the world. Iranian society had not emerged from its tribal and tribal framework and had not been introduced to new manifestations, civilizations, and phenomena. It was from the middle of Fath Ali Shah's reign onwards that Iran became acquainted with European civilization and culture, and this acquaintance increased through exchanges with Europeans and neighboring countries. A group of agents, aware of the developments in the West, concluded that the technical and scientific progress of the Europeans had given them superiority and that Iran would be able to succeed if it undertook reforms. The question is how educational, cultural, and social developments during this period contributed to the formation of modern Iran and whether this acquaintance was fruitful or not? The present study seeks to answer this question using an analytical-comparative method. Studies have shown that educational, social, and cultural developments during the Qajar period paved the way for national awakening and ultimately led to the Constitutional Revolution and the formation of modern Iran. These developments were not only effective in improving public awareness and knowledge, but also provided the necessary infrastructure for the country's development in the coming years.

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