The Social Status of Lutis and Their Role in the Political Turmoil of the Qajar Era, with an Emphasis on the Constitutional Revolution

Piri, Mohammad; Askarani, Mohammad Reza

doi:10.22034/chs.2025.505288.1074

The Social Status of Lutis and Their Role in the Political Turmoil of the Qajar Era, with an Emphasis on the Constitutional Revolution

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

mohammad piri ¹

Mohammad Reza Askarani ²

¹ Associate professor, Department of History, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran

² Associate professor, Department of History, Payam-e Noor University, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22034/chs.2025.505288.1074

Abstract

Throughout Iran's social history, some groups have emerged with the aim of aiding the deprived classes and those oppressed by the ruling power, particularly during foreign invasions and periods of intensified murder and plunder. The members of these groups have been referred to in historical sources by various names such as Ahl-e Fotowwat (the chivalrous), Ayyār (chivalrous), Luti, Velgard (vagrant), and Mashdi. The social presence of these groups was directly related to the degree of pressure exerted by the ruling authority. Although they were originally formed to assist the needy and the oppressed, on the fringes of these groups, some individuals, under these very titles, instead of helping the lower classes, themselves became predatory forces, creating many problems for society. The Qajar era, given its autocratic rule, is no exception to this pattern. During this period, a group of popular-minded Lutis formed to help the oppressed, while another faction exploited this guise to collude with rulers in plundering the people. The central questions are what social status Lutis held in Qajar period and what role they played in the developments of this period, particularly the Constitutional Movement. The present qualitative research employed a descriptive-analytical approach based on library sources to answer this question. The results show that the Lutis acted as a powerful group influencing the historical currents of this era. Their presence in Qajar society during the Constitutional Movement had varied effects: some rose to aid the people and sided with the constitutionalists, while others exploited the chaotic environment to engage in looting, killing, and pillaging.

Keywords

Lutis

Constitutionalism

Social developments

Social insecurity

Qajar dynasty

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