Curious photos from the harem of the Iranian Shah, in which there were almost 100 women

Nasser al-Din Shah Kajar, who ruled in Iran at the end of the 19th century, received his title in 1848 and thus became the fourth shah of the eastern state. His reign lasted 47 years and was the longest in all 3,000 years.

Nasser ad-Din Shah Kajar was the happy owner of a harem, which included about a hundred women. These interesting photos were taken there.

Now you will see with your own eyes the beauties who lived in the harem of the Iranian shah.

Shah Kajar was well educated and had many interests, one of which was photography. Having come to power, he decided to create the first official photo studio in his palace.

Sometimes the overlord loved to take off his many harem. Moreover, all the photos Kajar himself printed in his palace laboratory and kept them in special satin albums.

According to Shiite laws of that time, it was extremely disapproving to remove the faces of women, but the most powerful person in the country could afford it.

The incomparable Anis al-Doleh was the Shah's most beloved wife.

Shah Kajar is photographed with some of his concubines.

Some pictures suggest that the women in the harem lived in close and friendly relations, went for walks together and had picnics.

Often, Shah’s wives are represented in photographs in short full skirts similar to ballet tutus - shalitech. According to one legend, when in 1873 Nasser al-Din Shah arrived in St. Petersburg at the invitation of Alexander II and first attended ballet, he was so fascinated by the dancers that he introduced a shalitech for all his concubines in the harem.

As you can see in the photo, the Shah’s wives look very confident, fearlessly look straight into the frame, not at all timid at the time of shooting.

Another noteworthy point is that all harem women do not suffer from thinness, since then fullness was considered one of the main criteria of beauty. The concubines were specially very well fed and did not allow them to move actively.

Regarding facial hair, this feature is very characteristic of Eastern women, and the fused eyebrows in those years were very fashionable.

Watch the video: Kamal al Mulk & the Invention of the Modern Iranian Landscape (May 2024).