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A Journey To Persia: Jean Chardin's Portrait of a Seventeenth-Century Empire
"Isfahan is half the world" was the proud boast of the 17th-century capital of Persia, established as the new political centre of the country by Shah Abbas I shortly after his accession to the throne in 1588.
One of the many travellers attracted to Persia by these claims was Jean Chardin, a young French jeweller who spent a total of 10 years in Isfahan. During this time, he became intimately familiar with the city, its markets, shops, and workplaces; he was invited into people's houses and entertained; he visited gardens and participated in hunts; his knowledge of Court affairs was extensive; and he travelled hundreds of miles, all over the country, visiting other towns and villages.
His journals are a source of information for all interested in Middle Eastern history. They also provide a portrait of life both at court and among humble artisans in 17th century Persia. First published as "Chardin's Voyages", this edited collection includes a comprehensive introduction with a biography of Chardin and a description of Iran in the mid-17th-century, placing the writing in its historical context.
One of the many travellers attracted to Persia by these claims was Jean Chardin, a young French jeweller who spent a total of 10 years in Isfahan. During this time, he became intimately familiar with the city, its markets, shops, and workplaces; he was invited into people's houses and entertained; he visited gardens and participated in hunts; his knowledge of Court affairs was extensive; and he travelled hundreds of miles, all over the country, visiting other towns and villages.
His journals are a source of information for all interested in Middle Eastern history. They also provide a portrait of life both at court and among humble artisans in 17th century Persia. First published as "Chardin's Voyages", this edited collection includes a comprehensive introduction with a biography of Chardin and a description of Iran in the mid-17th-century, placing the writing in its historical context.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1686
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About the author
Jean Chardin
73 books6 followersHe was born in Paris, son of a wealthy merchant, jeweller of the Place Dauphine, and followed his father's business. In 1664, he started for the East Indies with M. Raisin, a Lyons merchant. They journeyed by Constantinople and the Black Sea, reaching Persia early in 1666. The same year the shah, Suleiman I, made Chardin his agent for the purchase of jewels. In the middle of 1667, he visited India and returned to Persia in 1669, The next year he arrived in Paris. He issued an account of some events of which he was an eye-witness in Persia, entitled ‘Le Couronnement de Soleiman Troisième,' Paris, 1671, l2mo. A learned nobleman, Minza Sefi, a prisoner in his own palace at Ispahan, had entertained him, instructed him in the Persian language, and assisted him in this work. Peter de la Croix and Tavernier severely criticised, while Ange de la Brosse as strongly defended it.
Chardin again started for the East, August 1671. He was at Constantinople from March to July 1672. A quarrel between the grand vizier and the French ambassador made the position of French subjects dangerous, and Chardin escaped in a small vessel across the Black Sea, and made a most adventurous journey by Caffa, and through Colchis, Iberia, and Armenia to Ispahan, which he reached in 1673. At Sapias, he was robbed by the Mingrelians of all he possessed except two small bundles, worth £6,000. He stayed at Ispahan four years, following the court in all its removals, and making particular journeys throughout the land, from the Caspian to the Persian Gulf and the river Indus, and visiting several Indian cities. By these two journeys he realised a considerable fortune, and, deciding to return home, reached Europe in 1677 by a voyage round the Cape of Good Hope.
Chardin again started for the East, August 1671. He was at Constantinople from March to July 1672. A quarrel between the grand vizier and the French ambassador made the position of French subjects dangerous, and Chardin escaped in a small vessel across the Black Sea, and made a most adventurous journey by Caffa, and through Colchis, Iberia, and Armenia to Ispahan, which he reached in 1673. At Sapias, he was robbed by the Mingrelians of all he possessed except two small bundles, worth £6,000. He stayed at Ispahan four years, following the court in all its removals, and making particular journeys throughout the land, from the Caspian to the Persian Gulf and the river Indus, and visiting several Indian cities. By these two journeys he realised a considerable fortune, and, deciding to return home, reached Europe in 1677 by a voyage round the Cape of Good Hope.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 13, 2022
3.2 stars
سفرنامه شاردن در ده جلد نوشته شده که توسط "رانلد فریر "خلاصه و گزیده هایی از آن ارائه شده است... این اثر در ۱۱ بخش به مسائل مختلف در تاریخ، سیاست، هنر و جامعه عصر صفوی خصوصا در دوره شاه عباس دوم و شاه سلطان سلیمان( که افول صفویه از دوران او آغاز شد) می پردازد
شاردن به مناسبات درباریان برای نزدیک شدن به شاه و کسب ، حفظ و توسعه قدرت اشاره می کند که در این خصوص گاهی منازعات خونینی صورت گرفته است.. شاردن به فضائل رفتاری ایرانیان از جمله زندگی بدون استرس و مهمان نوازی و شاد بودن و خوش برخورد بودن ایرانیان اشاره می کند و در مورد رذایل اخلاقی آنها به دروغگویی و چاپلوسی و ولخرجی آنها اشاره می کند، شاردن این رذایل اخلاقی را در زمانی که با ایرانیان تجارت می کند را پُر رنگ تر می بیند
او ضمن تمجید از شاه عباس اول و اصلاحات گسترده ای که در حوزه مسایل اقتصادی و سیاسی ( نه در باب قدرت شاه) انجام داده پایداری این اصلاحات را در دوره شاه سلطان سلیمان به دیده تردید می نگرد
در این اثر شاردن ضمن بررسی دقیق و موشکافانه فرهنگ و جامعه ایرانی بدون جانبنداری و تعصب توانسته است یک مجموعه و دایر المعارف کامل از ایرانِ عصر صفوی در نیمه دوم قرن هفدهم را ارائه دهد
سفرنامه شاردن در ده جلد نوشته شده که توسط "رانلد فریر "خلاصه و گزیده هایی از آن ارائه شده است... این اثر در ۱۱ بخش به مسائل مختلف در تاریخ، سیاست، هنر و جامعه عصر صفوی خصوصا در دوره شاه عباس دوم و شاه سلطان سلیمان( که افول صفویه از دوران او آغاز شد) می پردازد
شاردن به مناسبات درباریان برای نزدیک شدن به شاه و کسب ، حفظ و توسعه قدرت اشاره می کند که در این خصوص گاهی منازعات خونینی صورت گرفته است.. شاردن به فضائل رفتاری ایرانیان از جمله زندگی بدون استرس و مهمان نوازی و شاد بودن و خوش برخورد بودن ایرانیان اشاره می کند و در مورد رذایل اخلاقی آنها به دروغگویی و چاپلوسی و ولخرجی آنها اشاره می کند، شاردن این رذایل اخلاقی را در زمانی که با ایرانیان تجارت می کند را پُر رنگ تر می بیند
او ضمن تمجید از شاه عباس اول و اصلاحات گسترده ای که در حوزه مسایل اقتصادی و سیاسی ( نه در باب قدرت شاه) انجام داده پایداری این اصلاحات را در دوره شاه سلطان سلیمان به دیده تردید می نگرد
در این اثر شاردن ضمن بررسی دقیق و موشکافانه فرهنگ و جامعه ایرانی بدون جانبنداری و تعصب توانسته است یک مجموعه و دایر المعارف کامل از ایرانِ عصر صفوی در نیمه دوم قرن هفدهم را ارائه دهد
January 12, 2024
"A Journey to Persia: Jean Chardin's Portrait of a Seventeenth-Century Empire" offers a captivating glimpse into 17th-century Persia through the eyes of Jean Chardin, a young French jeweler who spent a decade in Isfahan. As an Iranian, I found the book particularly intriguing as it shed light on the internal dynamics of Iranian society during that time. I was struck by the similarities between the culture then and now, although I also recognized the fading of many cultural aspects, which I believe my generation has been fortunate to experience. This resonates with my own observations.
The book's focus on the fabric of society, rather than just a macroscopic view, is indeed of great historical importance.Chardin's detailed accounts of life in Isfahan, including its markets, shops, and court affairs, provide a rich source of information for those interested in Middle Eastern history. The book's exploration of both the court and the lives of humble artisans in 17th-century Persia offers a comprehensive understanding of the period. The historical and cultural significance of the book is further underscored by the fact that it delves into the societal intricacies, providing a more nuanced perspective compared to many history books.
Overall, "A Journey to Persia" not only offers a valuable historical account but also resonates with the experiences and reflections of individuals, like myself, who find a personal connection to the cultural narrative it presents. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in delving into the vibrant tapestry of 17th-century Persia.
The book's focus on the fabric of society, rather than just a macroscopic view, is indeed of great historical importance.Chardin's detailed accounts of life in Isfahan, including its markets, shops, and court affairs, provide a rich source of information for those interested in Middle Eastern history. The book's exploration of both the court and the lives of humble artisans in 17th-century Persia offers a comprehensive understanding of the period. The historical and cultural significance of the book is further underscored by the fact that it delves into the societal intricacies, providing a more nuanced perspective compared to many history books.
Overall, "A Journey to Persia" not only offers a valuable historical account but also resonates with the experiences and reflections of individuals, like myself, who find a personal connection to the cultural narrative it presents. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in delving into the vibrant tapestry of 17th-century Persia.
September 29, 2017
با عنوان "سیاحتنامه شاردن" توسط محمد عباسی ترجمه و در سال ۱۳۳۵ منتشر شده است.
ترجمه ی آقای اقبال یغمایی را ندیده ام
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ترجمه ی آقای اقبال یغمایی را ندیده ام
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June 16, 2024
بیشتر ورزشهای ایرانیان چون چوگان با اسب است و مردان و زنان به یک اندازه به این ورزش میپردازند. البته یکجای دیگه میگه زنان اگر مجبور نباشند ترجیح میدن در خانه باشند. دیگه به کاروانسرای اشاره میکنه که شاه چندین اسب درآن نذر امام زمان کرده و همیشه دو تا از بهترین اسبها زین و تزیین شده آماده بودند که بالافاصله بعد ظهور امام از آنها استفاده کنه. چقدر دوست دارم داستان آخرین روزیکه مسئول این بخش سرکار رفت و بدونم :^/ دیگه میگه شاه که عشق شکار بود بعد از شکار از معماری میخواهد که از جمجمه های شکارها یادگاری ای بسازه و او همه را استعاوهکرده و مناره ای میسازه و میگه جناب در بالای این مناره یک جمجمه بزرگ جایش خالی است و شاه میگوید چه حیوانی بهتر از خودت و دستور به قتلش میدهد! میگوید غیر جانشین همه فرزندان شاه کور میشدند و آنها مهارتهای خاص کوری پیدا میکردند. گویا یکبار هم شاه از کور کردن فرزندش عذاب وجدان میگیرد و برای این فرزند او را جانشین خود میسازد و برای اینکه دست بقیه نرسد دستور به قتل دیگران میدهد... یا اینکه نقش جهان نام عمارتی زیبابود که چون آنرا خراب کرده و میدان را ساختند نام عمارت را روی میدان گذاشتنو، مسجد شاه هم زمین خربزه پیرزنی بود که حاضر به فروش نمیشد و در نهایت آخوندا با هزار تهدید و فریب راضی اش کردند. قلیان به شدت در ایران رایج بوده به طوریکه شاگرد و استاد همزمان در مدرسه قلیان حین درس قلیان بر لبانشان بوده! کتاب سفری است به کوچه پس کوچه های اصفهان صفویه....
December 9, 2017
کتابی مناسب برای شناخت عصر صفوی
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