‘GAZETTEER OF PERSIA VOL. I Comprising the Provinces of ASTARÁBÁD, SHÁHRUD-BÚSTAN, KHÚRÁSÁN, AND SÍSTÁN’ [‎218r] (442/722)

provision in tho event of her husband’s death, and her sole dependence if
she is divorced. Marriages in Persia, as in all Eastern countries, are very
expensive. It is not unusual for a man to waste the means he has
spent his life in acquiring on his nuptial day. They connect their display
upon this occasion with their personal reputation, and endeavour to surpass
their equals with a ruinous spirit of emulation.
“ A. Persian may purchase as many female slaves as he likes and their
condition is in no degree altered by the manner in which they live in his
family. The sweeper of his house, and the partner of his bed, are alike
exposed to be sold again, if they have been purchased ; but this right is
seldom exercised, as it is at variance with that jealous sense of honour,
which almost all Muhammadans entertain regarding females with whom
they have cohabited.
“ The marriage by contract, and for a limited period, is peculiar to the
citizens of Persia. It is said to have been a custom in Arabia when Muham
mad first introduced his religion into that country; but though the Prophet
tolerated it, Umar abolished it, as a species of legal prostitution that was
inconsistent with good morals. The Turks, therefore, and other Sunnis,
who respect the decrees of this caliph, hold this practice in abhorrence.
The parties agree to live together for a fixed period, which varies from a
few days to ninety-nine years. The sum agreed upon as the lady’s hire is
mentioned in the contract given to her, which is made out by the kazi, or
a mulia, and regularly witnessed. The man may dissolve the contract when
he chooses; but the female has a right, from the hour the deed is signed,
to the whole amount of the sum that was agreed to be paid her. If the
parties are willing, the deed is renewed at the period it expires. This
contract conveys no rights to the female, beyond the sum specified as her
hire. She is under no circumstances deemed entitled to share in the inherit
ance of the property of the person to whom she is contracted. This
species of engagement usually takes place between persons of very unequal
condition in life. The woman is generally of a very inferior family ; and
her condition can only be termed a state of legal concubinage.
“ A man in Persia can divorce his wife, at pleasure; but there is an
expense and scandal attending such a proceeding, which renders it very
unfrequent. It may, indeed, be said never to occur but among the lower
classes; for a man of rank would consider himself disgraced by taking a
step, which would expose a woman, who had been his wife, to be seen by
others. The forms of divorce among the Shiahs differ on some trifling
points from those observed by the Sunnis. Divorces are never on account
of adultery, as that crime, if proved, subjects a woman, who has been legally
married, to capital punishment. The general causes are complaints of
badness’ of temper, or extravagance on the part of the husbands, and of
neglect or cruel usage, on that of their wives. If the husband sues tor
a divorce, he is compelled to pay his wife’s dower : but if she sues for
it her claim to that is cancelled. The consequence is, that it is not
unfrequent among the lower orders, when a man desires to be rid of his
partner, to use her so ill, that she is forced to institute a suit for separa
tion ; and that, if granted, abrogates all her claims upon her husband.
“ The condition of slaves in Persia has been before mentioned. They are
not numerous, and cannot be distinguished by any peculiar habits or usages
from the other classes, further than that they are generally more trussed and
more favoured by their superiors. The name of slave in this country may