Saed News: In love letters from the Qajar era, expressions of love, impatience, and even romantic complaints were often written in a highly literary and formal style. In most of these letters, the lover portrays themselves as a servant addressing their beloved as a king or master.
According to SAEDNEWS, citing Faradid, although letter writing in its traditional form has become nearly obsolete today, if we go back a few decades, we find historical documents filled with love letters whose writing style closely resembles that of classical romantic stories.
In Qajar-era love letters, the lover often addresses the beloved in a tone similar to that of a servant speaking to a ruler or king—a style of romantic expression also seen in classical Persian poetry.
At a time when long-distance travel was extremely difficult and communication methods were limited, letters were the only way to stay emotionally connected with loved ones. For this reason, writers tried to express their deepest longing, passion, and impatience through beautifully crafted and often literary language.
Below are excerpts from two Qajar-era love letters, some of which are accompanied by romantic illustrations that could be considered early forms of love postcards.
1.
“I sacrifice myself for you. It has been a long time since I have heard about your health and well-being. I hope you are in perfect health. As for me, I am well—but what kind of well-being is this? In your absence, I suffer from all the illnesses of the world. You cannot imagine what I go through day and night because of your love.
I am devoted to your beautiful eyes; please send me the picture you promised so that I may comfort my heart with your image, since my hand is far from reaching your presence…”
2.
“I am devoted to your blessed feet. Although your lack of mercy is not surprising, what is surprising is my own hope, as I still await the honor of your permission and your kind letter. Perhaps we shall meet again.
O unkind one, after ten years, what is my duty? How much longer must I wait? I have nothing more to say, but my patience has been stretched thin. Yet still, whatever you wish is my will and satisfaction.
Do not torment me further. By God, I fear you may be held accountable by the Almighty. My destiny is in your hands. I am confused by your behavior—you neither allow me to visit you nor send a single letter. My life has been spent waiting for you; my eyes have turned white in anticipation, and my ears remain like a ring on your door. May God fulfill our affairs according to His will and grant us what is best…”
