Expeditions in Persia

Expeditions in Persia: Exploring Qajar Persia in two 19th-Century Diaries’ unveils the intricacies of 19th-century Persian expeditions through two complementary travelogues. The first account, with an anonymous author (attributed to Sir John Malcolm), offers a detailed diplomatic and historical perspective on the journey through Persia during an East India Company mission led by Sir John Malcolm. The second travelogue, written by Mirzleh, an Iranian intellectual and later diplomat, chronicles a separate expedition commissioned by Sir William Ouseley, the brother of Sir Gore Ouseley. It enriches the narrative with vivid descriptions of Persia’s societies, geography, and architecture, offering a deeply cultural and immersive experience. Together, these accounts weave a comprehensive and multifaceted portrait of early 19th-century Persia, blending Eastern and Western viewpoints to create a captivating exploration of the region’s history, culture, and landscapes.

Siavash Rafiee Rad is a linguist. He completed his PhD in Linguistics at the University of Manchester in the UK. He is currently an assistant professor at the Leiden Institute for Area Studies. His main research interests include theoretical linguistics and Persian Studies.