We Pitched a Tent and Went Sightseeing

Before the emergence of mass media that transformed the world into a global village, a person living in one corner of the world would have no knowledge of what was happening in another corner. People learned about the culture and geography of different regions only through the accounts of travelers who journeyed to those places and documented their experiences in travelogues. Therefore, the accuracy of the travelogue’s author played a significant role in its longevity and fame. Furthermore, any piece of work that recorded a slice of history in terms of time and place held considerable value for future generations’ studies. The Qajar period, known as an era of modernization and innovation in the recognition of sciences, is regarded as rich in the writing of travelogues, owing to the interest of Qajar kings and the accompaniment of scholars and chroniclers. Since most of the travelers during these journeys were men, there is often a notable absence of certain details in the travelogues of earlier times—details that required a woman’s precision and keen observation to document. The travelogue of Aaliyah Khanum Shirazi is a significant source for studying and comparing with other travelogues of that era in this context. This travelogue, written during the reign of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, recounts the author’s journey from Kerman, the hardships of traveling to Bombay, India, and then the pilgrimage to Mecca. The second part begins with the completion of the Hajj pilgrimage, Aaliyah Khanum’s arrival in Tehran, and her stay at the Qajar royal court. Here, the royal court and the Shah’s harem are described from the perspective of an outsider. Unlike other works of the Qajar era, which were written by individuals close to the Shah, this account provides the viewpoint of someone outside the court, offering readers intriguing insights into the social dynamics of women’s gatherings, the status of Qajar women within royal and political structures, and their influence in controlling events. The travelogue of Aaliyah Khanum Shirazi, titled *We Pitched a Tent and Went for an Outing*, has been compiled and edited by Zohreh Torabi, published by Nashr AtrAf.