Journal of Diplomatics Studies and Research

Documentary Narratives of the Endowments of Qajar Statesmen: Political and Economic Function of Endowments

https://doi.org/10.22034/dpr.2026.242130
Volume 1, Issue 1 - Serial Number 1
March 2026
Pages 219-235
Journal of Diplomatics Studies and Research

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Seyedeh Fahimeh Musavi

M.A. in History of Islamic Iran, Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies. Tehran. IRAN. M.A. in Sociology. Faculty of Social Sciences. Allameh Tabataba’i University. Tehran. IRAN.

Abstract
Many studies have addressed the social function of endowments, but the political and economic dimensions of the endowment phenomenon during the Qajar period have received less attention. This article examines the connection between the political structure of the Qajar period and the phenomenon of endowment. The aim of this research is to demonstrate the political and economic functions of endowments and, based on the historical analysis of endowment deeds, answer the question of what factors drove political elites to extensively endow their assets. The research findings show that many of these individuals endowed all or part of their assets on the brink of their dismissal, and in these circumstances, endowment served not only as a tool to legitimize their social position but also as a means to protect their assets from confiscation. It seems that Qajar officials, on the verge of being removed from power, saw endowment as a tool to preserve their social and economic power and used endowments to maintain their influence. The main sources for this research include endowment deeds and memoirs of political figures.

Keywords

Function of Endowment
Political Despotism
Confiscation of Assets
Qajar Period
Qajar Statesmen
Subjects
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