Document Type : Research Article
Author
Associated professor of history, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin ,Iran
Abstract
This article tries to explain the function and dysfunctions of eunuchs in the Qajar court. The author has analyzed the current issue based on the theory of functionalism and dysfunctionalism and based on this, the main question of the article is, what are the functions and dysfunctions of the eunuchs in the Qajar court? Based on the theory of functionalism, the article puts forward the hypothesis that the most important function of the eunuchs was to establish order in the harem. Some other functions of the eunuchs include regulating the sexual relations of the Qajar kings and escorting the women of the harem in "Bironi". But in the case of dysfunctions, we are faced with emotional relationships of eunuchs and sometimes marriages and even illicit relationships with other men. The results of this article confirm that until the end of the Nasrid period, eunuchs often played their role well and order was established in the harem. but from the end of the Nasrid era to the end of the Qajar dynasty, due to the malfunctions of the political system and the malfunctions of the eunuchs, there was a disturbance in the establishment of internal order. We are witnessing disobedience by the women of the harem, which was a symptom of a new period in Iran's history, and with the establishment of the new constitutional order, the old internal order was disrupted,.
Keywords
Main Subjects
Extended Abstract:
Eunuchs in the Qajar court: The functions and dysfunctions
Eunuchs were among the lower social strata that played an important role in the political system in the governments of the East. The Qajar period is the last period in the history of Iran when eunuchs, both black and white, were present in the political structure. The present article is organized by following functionalist theories and its effort is to explain the function and dysfunction of this stratum in the Qajar court. The main question of the article is, what are the functions and dysfunctions of the eunuchs in the Qajar court. In fact, the main focus of the article is order and disorder in the Qajar harem. Regarding the background of the research, the following two articles can be mentioned: A look at the status of bondmaids, slaves and eunuchs in the Qajar period, which has introduced the general introduction of this social group. And basically, its problem is not aligned with the present article (Zargarinejad and Alipour 1388: 1-18). The third sex: The physical study of eunuchs in Qajar court that the problem was the anatomy and body of eunuchs and not the functions of this stratum (Khazaei 1398: 167-184).
During the period of political stability, we often see the authority of eunuchs and the establishment of the order in Andarooni. Although there may have been occasional protests from Andarooni, but the eunuchs managed it. From the end of the Naseri period to the end of the Qajar period, weakness dominated the performance of eunuchs and one of the consequences of that was disorder and constant conflict in the Andarooni. Another main functions of the eunuchs were regulating the sexual relations of the king and countless women and the order and priorities of the bedroom. In this context, the eunuchs should ensure the security of the king's dormitory during the day and night and bring the desired woman of the king to the dormitory. The harem women had indescribable competitions in this field and in order to get close to the king, they used to bribe Khwaja Bashi. Another major function of the eunuchs was to accompany the women in "Birooni" and on trips, and control the women and their children in all aspects. But in the part of dysfunction, we are facing the increasing power and influence of eunuchs in the court. During the reign of Feth Ali Shah and Muhammad Shah, Georgian and Armenian eunuchs such as Khaja Yaqoob, Khosrow Khan and Manouchehr Khan Motamed al-Dawlah were in power at the first level of the court and princes and nobles resorted to them. These influential eunuchs even served in the governance of important cities.
With this description, their duties had changed from protecting internal women to politics and governance. Another exploratory function of this article is related to the marriage of eunuchs. Actually, eunuchs with imperfect body, castration and lack of sexual desire, were responsible for the serious duty of protecting and maintaining the king's women. This is why the titles given by the king to this group included "Motamid al-Haram", " Etemad al-Haram" and so on. Now, we must note that not all eunuchs were castrates, but a group of them, including Eunuchs whose testicles were hidden or eunuchs with very small genitals, entered the court and it seems that the marriage of eunuchs is mostly related to this group. In fact, with the marriage of the eunuchs, their main concern and responsibility, which was to maintain order and protect the king's women, was directed to the eunuchs' own wives. The third aspect is related to the emotional relationship of eunuchs with court women and maids and sometimes we face marriages and even illicit relationships with other men. The findings of this article confirm that until the end of the Nasrid period, eunuchs often played their role well and order was established in the harem. But from the end of the Nasrid period to the end of the Qajar dynasty, we see disobedience by the women of the harem, which was a symptom of a new period in the history of Iran. And with the establishment of the new constitutional order, the old order of the harem was disrupted and at the same time as the collapse of the Qajar dynasty, the order of Andarooni and the value and prestige of eunuchs were forever removed from the history of Iran.
Key words: eunuch, gender, woman, harem, functionalism, Dysfunction, Qajar
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