The functions of food, its customs and tools in the priority of social needs and distinctions in Iran during the Qajar era

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Assistant Professor, Department of History, Shushtar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shushtar, Iran.

Abstract
One of the most important physiological needs of humans and basically every living being is the need for food, the lack of which can cause illness and eventually death. In the Qajar period, due to the droughts and famines that occurred, the first concern of most Iranians, especially the deprived and inferior classes of the society, was bread and food. But some nobles and nobles, who were not worried about their food supply, often sought to show their identity to other classes through food. This research seeks to find a suitable and appropriate answer to the following questions by descriptive-analytical method and using Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs theory: What was the view of the lower classes of Iranian society in the Qajar era towards the category of food? What has been the attitude of upper classes towards this matter? The findings of the research show that the subalterns deprived of bread and food, and caught in the shackles of this physiological need, have an opportunity or interest to pay attention to gaining the respect of others and respecting their dignity through observance of ceremonies, decorations and luxuries in They did not have a table and they turned to simplicity, cheapness and immediate use of food to satisfy the need of hunger, but on the contrary, Faradastan did not need food, in order to gain the respect of others and to show their dignity, dignity and identity.

Keywords


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Volume 17, Issue 66 - Serial Number 66
winter 2026
Winter 2026
Pages 143-172

  • Receive Date 01 July 2025
  • Revise Date 26 May 2026
  • Accept Date 09 June 2026
  • Publish Date 20 February 2026