Exploring the Voices of Iranian Women in the Qajar Era: A Study of Taj Al-Saltaneh's and Bibi Maryam Bakhtiyari's Experiences and Legacies

For a long time, the voices of Iranian women in history have been silenced and ignored. It is only recently that scholars have paid attention to the crucial role women played in shaping and etching their contributions to history. In this thesis, I attempt to amplify the voices of two iconic figures during the Qajar era (1789-1925): Taj al-Saltaneh (1884-1936) and Bibi Maryam Bakhtiyari (1874-1937). I use their memoirs to explore their contributions to women’s awareness. Three different angles are used in this study: literary, historical, and women and gender studies lenses. These disciplines help to understand the importance of their memoirs and their significance in women's studies by reviving their voices and experiences. This project aims to highlight women’s voices in the past that could influence the empowerment of contemporary women and girls.